The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-17

In the General Assembly yesterday the
chief feature was the election OF Judge OF
the Chancery Court OF Richmond and the
dicusSion thereupon, in which the merits
of Judge Fitzhugh and Mr.. A. l.. IIolla-
day We're compared.
In the Senate Mr.. Riddleberger nomi-
mated Mr.. Holiday. Mr.. Powell, OF Spot
/ sylvania, seconded the nomination. Both
made brief speeches commendatory OF the
character and attainments Of their young
friend.
Mr. Atkinson nominated Judge Fitz-
hugh, saying:
Mr.. President, Il desire TO place in nOmi-
nation that distinguished Judge, able law
| yer, and incorruptiblc citizen, Judge Ed
ward II. Fitzhugh, for the iudgeship OF the
/ Chancery Court OF the city of Richmond.
lie is endorsed by the bar OF this city,
without respect TO political parties. Re
publicanS, Reddjusters, and Democrats, all
certify to his fairness and ability in filling
his high Office. take pleasure myself in
bearing testimony to his impartiality and
great learning in his profession. Every
man, woman, and child in this city is in-
| terested in the selection of a wise. upright,
and able man for this position. 1t will be
a sad calamity TO lose such a Judge from
the Chancery Court. He has held the office
/ from its creation. He is not partisan.
/ No political business can come before him.
/ He has never concerned himself about the
/ primary election. Perhaps he has not
/ voted since the new divisions OF parties.
| | had hoped that the caucus Of the dOmi-
nant party would not have decreed that so
pure, learned, and unbiased Judge, who
/ has hOnored the ermine, won the respect
OF the bar and the confidence Of this city,
should fall by the axe OF political party.
/ Ii is a calamity the community, and ask
that this petition from attorneys Of the city
be read TO show how high he stood in the
opinion of the practitioners in his court.
[The petition, signed by nearly every
member Of the bar here, was read.l
Mr.. Lovenstein said:
Mr.. PTeSident,-I trust shall be excused
for occupying for a moment the time Of the
Senate in secOnding the nomination OF that
excellent gentleman and pure and intelll-
gent Judge who has been placed in nomi-
nation by my colleague. Ii was my proud
privilege 10 vote for him when the Office
was created. At that time he was, as he is
now, the unanimous choice OF the delcga-
tiOn from this district IN both branches OF
the General Assembly, Of the entire bar,
and of a very large majority Of the people
OF this city. He has so conducted himself
since he has occupied the position a. TO win
the respect and esteem OF all who know
him for the prompt and efficient discharge OF
the duties OF his position. The business in his
court being entirely Of civil character.
/ had hoped that the members on the other
side would have followed the example OF
the members OF our party. who but few
moments ago voted for the Judge Of the
Hastings Court OF Petersburg regardless
OF his political affiliations; but, sir, sup
pose the decree has gone forth, and | can
only say in conclusion that prrer or bet
ter man has never fallen under the political
guillotine.
Mr.. Esbridge "combatted the idea that
when a man receives an Office it is for life"
Mr.. Koiner put in few words to say
that so far from it being contrary to the
spirit Of republican institutions" for
Judges 70 be kept long in Office that United
States judges held for life.
Mr.. Glasgow followed in a speech against
the policy of turning out such a man as
Judge FitZhugh.
The roll was called with the usual result.
THE CHANCERY COURT OF RICHMOND.
In the House yesterday the election Of
Judges was proceeded with quietly but
with dispatch until the iudgeship Of the
Chancery Court OF Richmond was reached.
Mr.. lakewood, in brief speech, placed
in nomination Mr.. Addison L. IIolladay.
Mr. SpOtswoOd nominated Judge +. III.
Fitzhugh, when he took occasion to pay
the following beautiful tribute to the dis
tinguished iurist: -,
Mr.. Speaker, There has been placed
upon my desk memorial from the bar
of this city petitioning this body that the
Hon. Edward ii. Fitzhugh may be re-
elected Judge Of the Chancery Court Of
the city OF Richmond. | find upon this
petition the names Of one hundred and
TWENTY-FIVE lawyers, and on examination
/ see that it has been signed without re-
ference 10 political complexion. In the
list are the names of every distinguished
practitioner ut this bar-gentlemen whose
legal attainments are recognized and ac-
knowledged not only in this state, but also
in other States; they are names not un-
known to fame.
Among the humber members OF the bar
my name does not appear. When the pc
tition was presented to me ! declined to
sign it. did not think it proper for me
impliedly to pledge myself to the support
Of any one upon whose claims to office /
was so soon 10 pass judgment.
As member of the legal profession, as
a representative from this city, / esteem
il a most peculiar privilege 10 place IN
nomination for judge OF the Chancery
Court OF the city Of Richmond the Hon.
Edward Ii. Fitzhugh. In order, Mr..
Speaker, that gentlemen may form some
slight conception OF the importance 10 this
city of the position so soon to be filled, l
desire to mention some few facts which
will tend to show the magnitude OF the
interests which it involves. The vast ac-
emulation OF business before the Circuit
and Hastings Courts rendered necessary
the establishment OF separate tribunal,
strictly equitable in its character. The
trusts and interests which have been
committed TO this tribunal since its ere
alton are OF an importance, variety, and
magnitude which il would be difficult to
estimate, except from review OF the court
docket. Ii is sufficient, however, to state
that these interests affect the title 10 real es-
tate. the rights OF infants, lunaticS, widows,
orphans, married women, and the settle
ment OF estates requiring for proper deter
mmation not only vast legal information,
but direct and personal acquaintance with
the character OF those who administer even
remotely it, trusts, with those who were to
be Stunned and avoided-an acquaintance,
| may add, which cannot be acquired eX-
cept by years OF observation, application,
and experience. Mr.. Speaker, probably
four fiths of all the legal interests
in litigation in this city are deter
mined in the Chaucery Court. ] have
been informed that at one time there was
deposited in the various banks OF the city,
subject to the order Of the court, $4,000
600, and l know that at present over q
quarter OF million OF dollars can be trans