The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-03-16
United States District Attorney.

OAlt0A 0b&tCS A>ASt4 4Ot AtO0xA0y.
We see it stated 10 several papers that the
President has appointed D. sbeffey Lewis
ESQ, Of Harrisonburg, United States Dis.
trct Attorney for the Western District Of
Virginia, in place Of Capt. w S. Lurty
who has held the position for the past eight
years-and whose term expired last Decem.
her. Mr.. Lewis is son of Hon. j, F. Lew.
is. and a graduate of the law school OF the
University of Virginia. He served fouI
years as Assistant District Attorney to Capt
Lurty. and until the office was abolished.
Since that time he has been connected with
the United States Court as Deputy Marshal
under his father. and Is therefore somewhat
familiar with the practice of the Court
Personally Mr.. Lewis is a genial gentle.
man and popular where known. He is q
Republican in politics. but in the late State
canvass was active in his opposition to a
Republican ticket being placed in the field,
believing that it was the better policy to
support the Re-adjuster nominee. He will
enter upon the duties Of his office at once,
as a term Of the Court will convene at
Lynchburg on the 2lst.
Capt. Lufty. the retiring officer, has made
an enviable reputation as a lawyer and q
prosecutor In the several terms he has
served. He has been called to act. as the
representative of the government, in MANY
Important cases. in which were arrayed
against him the best legal talent Of the dis
trict, and in every instance he has MAIN
tanned the reputation of an able and elo-
quent pleader, careful and circumspect
attorney and bold and aggressive prose-
cutor. Few young men have ever in Vir-
ginia won brighter laurels or commanded
more universal respect and confidence in
the discharge of public duties. The inter-
este Of the government. under his admfnis-
tration, have been vigilantly guarded, the
rights OF the accused fairly considered, and
in all respects he has p oven imself an up
right, impartial and effective representative
OF the government.
Politically. Capt. Lurty was what was
known as a straight-out Republican. and
favored the policy Of putting in the field
and supporting Republican ticket in the
late State election. But when the issue was
narrowed down to choice between the Re-
adjuster and Bourbon tickets, he declared
for the former and took the stump in its
support. He Is one of the most effective
public speakers in the State, and In the re-
cent contest did good service in the South
west for Cameron, where he was invited
to address large audiences on several occa.
sions.
Capt. Lurty is a gentleman OF high char
acter, professionally and personally. and
the government has lost, in the refusal to
re-appoint him, faithful. vigllant and able
public officer. We know that it was for no
want of confidence in his professional quail
i6cations and political fidelity that h is name
was not sent in for a third term. The polit-
zeal complications In the State and the Pc
culiar circumstances and personal relations
IF Mr.. Lewis friends, connected with the
recent contest. finally determ ined the mat
ter in his favor, yet not in the least reflect
ing upon his predecessor in any respect.
Capt. Lurty will retire from the Office he
has so ably and acceptably filled for the
past eight years, with arecOrd that any one
might be proud Of. and the respect aud es-
TEEN Of political friends and foes, as well
as the confidence Of the government.