The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-03-08
Judge John Paul.

NCut Hdu dppOluecO hOu. JOnu raul, Vi
Rockingham county, to the vacant Judge
ship in the Western District OF Virginia.
occasioned by the resignation of Judge
Alexander Rives, OF Albemarle. The APP
pointment will be generally acceptable to
the friends of the administration through
out the District. While Mr.. Paul is not
known as Republican, yet his views of
public questions and public policy are in
strict accord with those maintained by the
Republican party of the State and Nation.
His enforcement from the Bourbon ele
ment of the Democratic party and its reac-
tionary policy necessarily threw b i'm into
sympathy with the party that is hostile
and practically opposed to Bourbonism.-
In taking this position his mind has been
educated to look at all public quest ions
from national and progressive tandpoint,
and with broad understanding of these
questions, his conclusions, when judic-
tally announced, will, no doubt, be In ac-
cord with the Constitution and the inter-
probation given it by the higher tribunals OF
the nation. Political nomenclature is Of Sec
ondary consideration, where correct views
and convictions of cardinal principle are
concerned.
Judge Paul is comparatively young
man-not over AZ years of age-but his
training has been severe, calling forth bis
mental resources, and accustoming them
to active application and exercise. His col
lege course was interrupted by the war;
Entering the service of his State at an ear
ly age, while at College, be acquitted him
relf creditably through the four years Of
sanguinary struggle. Without means, but
directed by resoluto purpose to prepare
himself for the bar, by the assistance of
devoted brother, who sold his only horse to
furni sh the necessary money for him to en-
ter the law class of the University of Vir-
ginia, and by the severest economy and clos.
est study he fin ished the course in one SEES
sion. Shortly afterwards he was admitted to
practice, and it was but short time until
he was elected Commonwealth Attorney
for his native county of Rockingham. II is
career as lawyer and prosecutor was
eminently successful. Broad minded, gen.
er GUS and sympathetic, he grew in the es-
/ TEEN of bis people. Importuned to serve
them in the Legislature he was elected to
the House Of Delegates. After serving one
term in that body he was chosen to the
Senate. In 1873 he was candidate for
Congress. but was defeated by Hon Jno. T.
Harris. In 1880 he was nominated for
Congress by the Readjusters, and receiving
the support Of the Republicans, he sue
ceeded in beating Judge Allen, the nomi-
nee Of the Democratic party. He was
again elected in 1882, and is now holding
the certificate Of election for the 48th Con-
gress. In view of the contest which Col.
O'Ferrall, his competitor, is making for his
cept the iudgeship If rendered him. But
his personal and party friends protested
against this, and urged him not to reject so
honorable and desirable position-n the
line of his profession and of life duration.
Yielding to their persistent Emporium it les,
he consented to accept and the appoint
ment was accordingly made. We under
stand, however, it is his purpose to make up
the record of his contest before he resigns
his certificate of election, leaving it an
easy matter for his successor, who will be
elected to fill the vacancy. TO retain the
seat the people of the District had awarded
him.
| No man in the State has done more for
the Liberal cause in Virginia, than John
Paul. Being emphatically and practically
one OF the people, he early recogniz lied the
injustice that was perpetrated by the Bour-
bons, aga inst popular rights, as indicated
in the restriction on the ballot and the hos
tilty manifested to the public schools. TAX
| ing an advanced position on the debt
question with the Readjusters. he entered
the field to plead for an equitable adjust
ment of that issue, a free ballot, and the
rights OF the Public Schools under the
| Constitution. These themes inspired in
him the intensest enthusia sm. They COM
pretended the interests ofthe great mass of
the people, and looked not only to the lib
Grafton Of the State from an unjust and in
| iQuitous sO-called contract. but the asser-
ton of the constitutional rights of the cit
izen in free ballot and the privileges of a
common school education to the poor as
we'll as the rich children of the State
These subjects were handled with ability
and tact bv Judge Paul, and not in the
State was there more eloquent and con-
vncing champion of popular rights. So
heartily was he in sympathy with his work,
that be never halted or wearied. He trayersed
the State from one end to the other, and in
almost every county addressed his powerful
arguments and earnest appeals to listening
and eager multitudes. For the services
thus rendered, he received the grateful ac-
acknowledgements and sincere esteem OF the
people Of the Commonwealth, and all who
have been in accord with the cause he has
represented, appreciate the recognition
which now crowns his services.
We believe he will make an able and just
judge-will fill the measure of the impor-
tant position and grow in popular conf
dence as experience shall test his qualifica-
tions for the duties he has been called upon
to perform.