The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-15

JUDGE fIrZHUGlI.
The following paper was placed upon
the desks OF members yesterday:
To the Honorable Members Of The General
assembly Of Virginia:
The undersigned, members OF the bar
practicing in the Chancery Court OF the city
OF Richmond, respectfully petition your
honorable body to reelect the Hon. Edward
II. Fitzhugh, the present Judge Of that
court, for the next ensuing term.
IL gives us pleasure, in presenting this
petition, to bring to your attention what is
universally recognized in this community,
that Judge Fitzhugh has filed this Office
from the time 1t was created to the entire
satisfaction OF the bar and OF litigants in his
court. lie has been so conscientiously in
dustrious, methodical and careful in his
work, is so peculiarly and admirably quail
fed for the position he fills, and has proved
so impartial and able in his decisions, that
the unanimity Of sentiment in his support
as an upright and excellent judge Is per-
haps unparalleled, and it would be difli-
cult task to select his successor.
The important and delicate character OF
the interests committed TO the supervision
and decision OF this tlibunal-the title to
real estate, the rights OF infants and wild
ows and married women, the settlement Of
estates, and other matters of similar M
ture-renders il in the highest degree de-
sirable that man OF such eminent Qualif-
cations and large experience as n chancel-
lor should be retained in the position.
1t may not be improper to add that du-
ring the entire term OF his official life
nothing has been more characteristic OF
Judge Fitzhugh than that serene elevation
above the cXctements and animosites OF
partisan political strife which we all recog-
nize as one OF the brightest glories Of our
judiciary and an essential safeguard Of our
institutions.
On behalf of the public, whose rights,
through Us, have heretofore been brought
before him in such confident assurance OF
intelligent and impartial decision, we re-
spectfully ask the reelection OF this emf
nent chancellor. Signed by Robert Ould.
James Alfred Jones, II. III. Marshall, w.
W. Crump, John 4. Meredith, James
Peasants, and many others.
A DECIDED DRAMATIC EyENT-FORGET-
ME-NOT.-Thc appearance OF Miss Gene
We've Ward at the Richmond Theatre to-
morrow night in her especial play I" For
get-Me-NOt" is likely to prove one OF the
great damatic events of the season here.
She is a celebrated actress OF great culture
and refinement, and will hardly fail Of Civ
ing great satisfaction. The play "FOrget-
Me-NOt" first made its appearance in Lon
don at the Lyceum Theatre August 81,
1879. 1t at once grew rapidly into popular
favor. Miss Ward Immediately secured
the play for her exclusive use, and this
right was not questioned until Mr.. Lester
Wallack determined to produce it in his
New York theatre. After Il few repre-
sentatiOns, Miss Ward took legal steps to
protect her rights, and appealed to the
courts. The New York courts decided the
matter in Miss Wards favor. This action
and the inherent worth Of the play have
given it wide notoriety. To aid those
who will attend its production during Miss
Wards stay in this city, where the play has
never been presented. we give the outline
of the plot
The story upon which the drama is con-
structcd i doubtless already familiar. \
beautiful and good girl is compelled by her
parents TO marry gambler and rOue, who
gradually degrades her into assisting him
in swindlng those who participate in his
for a woman, il is enough. Among those
who frequent their house is a Corsican,
who becomes deeply infatuated with her.
She trilleS with him. while the marquis,
her husband, robs him. Frenzied by the
double discovery, hc aSSassinateS the hus-
band, and tI1es to kill the wife. He Is
sentenced to the galley, for a long term. A
son. marrying before he is OF legal age,
weds a young lady of good English fam
ilv and dies soon after his marriage, leav-
ing his widow with, under the laws OF
France. an illegitimate child. unless his
parents by falling TO record their protest
within a year, or by recording their con-
sent to the marriage, remedy the defect. A
Young English nObeman who has soWed
some OF his wild oats, in the house Of the
marquis, is about to wed the sister OF the
sons widow. and al this point the drama
begins.
Stephanie. the marquiSe, has resolved to
recover the place in society from which her
husband's habits had driven her. She has
committed only the sin OF gambling and
assisting the marquis to deceive his vie
tins. She determines to make her cour-
ageous effort for restoration under the pro-
lection OF the family into which her son
had married; she tells his widows sister
how i'm her hands lies the honor Of the
family, and from her eXtortS the pledge
that she shall reside in their house in
Rome for six weeks, 90 into society with
them. and thus restored to the position 10
which she was born, she will then sign the
papers, making her sons marriage legiti
mate. She has arrived i'm the house and
installed herself, when she encounters
there Sir Horace Welby. Mutual recOgni-
ton follows. He il resolved that she shall
leave the house. She reveals the secret
OF her connection with the Nerney family
and dcfies him. He discovers the Corsi-
cans story by accident; and by convincing
her that the man is only waiting chance
TO take her life, and revealing to her that
he IS ut liberty, having rendered the Gov
eminent q service while in prison, succeeds
in driving her back into the career of an
adventures.
The play is full OF strong situations. In
deed. it is n series Of exciting episodes, the
interest in which does not flag for 4 mo-
mcnt.
Personals and Briefs.
Mr.. 4. Y. Stokes. after many years yalu-