Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-08-16
JAMES BARBOUR.
A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF THE NOMINEE
FOR THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.

James Barbour, ESQ.,, who was on yes
terday nominated by acclamation for
the office of Lieutenant Governor, and
who yielded to the demand for his ser
vices though he had come to Richmond
determined to accept no place on the
ticket, was born in the county of Gull
peper in 1928. His father was John s..
Barbour, who served several terms in
the Virginia Legislature, and for ten
years with marked ability represented
his district in the Congress of fthe Uni
ted States. Our Mr.. Barbour was edu-
Gated partly at Georgetown College and
partly at the University of Virginia,
successfully contending all the while a.
gainst ill health, to which q less determ-
ined man would have yielded altogeth-
sr.
ENTRANCE UPON PUBLIC LIFE.
In 1916 he entered upon the practice
of the law, and in 1850 offered himself,
for the first time, for the support of his
fellow. citizens as candidate for the
Constitutional Convention. So youth
full was he in appearance that the peo-
pie, or at least many of them, would not
believe that he was twenty one years of
age. He had constantly to contradict
that impression, and he had to canvass
with the record of his age ever ready to
show. The result, however, was great
triumph for him, and, with Banks and
Voolfolk, Mr.. Barbour was returned to
the ConventiOn-as Democrat of reA
form principles-from the district coma
posed of the counties of Culpeper, Or
ange, Madison, and Green.
Coming out of the Convention, he was
elected to the House of Delegates from
Culpeper-a Whig county-by what was
then considered large majority. He
occupied very prominent position on
the Finance Committee, and was one OF
the leaders of the Democracy.
LEGISLATIVE LIFE AGAIN.
In 1857 Mr.. Barbour was again return
ed to the House Of Delegates as Demo
crat, and this time without opposition.
He was placed second on the Finance
Committee, but was really the chair
man. He continued In the House until
| 1861, when, as an anti. secession Demo-
crat, he was elected to the Convention.
When, however, the time came when
the great public sentiment of the State
considered Virginia could no longer
with honor remain member of the
| federation of States, he declared In ia
vOr of secession, and went home and of
fered to resign his seat but being en-.
dcrsed by his constituency, he remain
ed in place, and voted for and signed the
ordinance of secession.
AFTER THE WAR.
For long time after the war Mr.. Bar.
bour was under political disabilities and
took but little part in public affairs. In
| 187O-'71 he became the owner and editor
of the Enquirer, and for a year or more
persistently presented to the people the
views which he thought in equity and
justice should obtain in the settlement
of the public debt of Virginia. He left
the editorial chair just before the old
| funding bill was passed, but his anita.
gonism to that measure was thorough
and undisguised. In 1874 he offered fol
Congress in the district which his broth,
er now represents. There was some
trouble in the Convention. Mr.. Bar.
bour's friends Withdrew, named him
and claimed the nomination but thai
was by no means conceded by Genera
Hunton's friends. The result was ht
ran against General Hunton. His owl
county of Culpeper supported him with
a unanimity never before equalled. and
he got large vote elsewhere; but moi
enough. General Hunton was elected
Suffice 1t here that most of those ther
estranged have renewed their friend
ship, and not few of them, with Gen
eral Hunton and General Payne, yester
day warmly supported him for plac,
on the ticket.
THE BARBOUR BILL.
| In 1877 Mr.. Barbour was once NOR,
elected to the House of Delegates upon
declaration of principles which in sub
stance found record soon afterwards In
the famous Barbour BILL" During tha
term he was chairman of the Financ,
Committee. For the next term he ut
! terly refused to run.
| Since 1879 he has been at home rest
ing and quietly pursuing the practice o
the law. His health, though neve
robust, Is now unusually good. In tn,
coming canvass he will be able to do hi
full part. He has long enjoyed q higl
reputation as public speaker, and OF
the questions to be discussed in this cam
paign is particularly well posted.
PERSONAL.
| Mr.. Barbour is rather tall and snare
On account of shortness of vision he ha
/ long worn eDectacleA Hia face IL rndd,