Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-31

such was the yigor, such the unquench-
able spirit Of his campaign, that the
Malone people felt called upon IL use
desperate remedies against him. The
returns showed that he was defeated by
$500 votes, but the cry Of " fraud "
was heard everywhere. and Massey,
obeying the injunctions Of press and
people, appealed to the House Of Repre-
sentativcs to rectify his wrong, but
without success.
Mr.. Massey is put on this ticket be-
cause Of his services, because Of his
ability, because he is a fayorite of the
Read ulster Democrats.
lie is great campaigner-there is
no better in Virginia. lie knows the
public-debt question AZ he knows the
alphabet. He is an untiring canyasser.
lie is not easily discouraged. lie can
give and take heavy blows in political
controversy. In view Of all these
things the voice Of the Convention was
nearly unanimous for him and when
his share of the labor Of the canvas, Is
allotted him and he takes the stump It
will be found that he does his work
well and contributes his full share to
the victory which in November the
Democratic party has reason and right
to confidently count on.
r.. 4. AYRES. ESQ.
Rufus A. AyreS, Of Scott was born
in Bedford county. IN this State, May
20, ISIS. When five years of age his
father removed to Goodson, Washing
ton county. and three years thereafter
died, leaving a widow and six children
with very limited means. Though very
young, the subject Of this sketch con-
tributed by his labor TO the support Of
the family until after the war COM
menced.
Mr.. Ayres was not old enough to be
in the service, but with that enthusiasm
and daring which characterized the
Virginia youth of that period ran away
from home and entered the army when
under fifteen years Of age. After the
war. in the absence of any other en-
ployment, he went to farming. Suisse
quently he engaged in merchandising
lie married Miss '. l.. Mort
son, daughter of Colonel Henry A.
Morrison, Of Scott county, in the year
1870. being At that time in the mer-
camille business.
Mr.. Ayres studied law in the office
of Judge II. S. X. Morrison. with II.
). Kane, one Of the most distinguished
lawyers in that section, as preceptor.
and came to the bar in 1872, and has
been in active practice ever since. lie
was elected attorney for the Common
wealth for Scott county in 1875, aud
prosecuted some of the most important
criminal eases ever tried in Virginia
notably that Of Dean, for murder.
where he had to rely solely upon cir
cumstantial evidence.
In civil as well as criminal prac-
tice he has been engaged IN many
of the most important cases in his
courts, and is now the attorney for the
Virginia Coal and Iron Company. Atte-
mus, Benson q Co.. and the South At
lantic and Ohio Railroad Company. hay-
ins in his charge interests aggregating
more than million Of dollars.
Mr. Ayres has always been a Demo-
crat. his first active participation in
politics dating back to 1863, IN the
Walker-W canvass.
He was appointed reading clerk Of the
House Of Delegates in 1873, and was
appointed by President HAYES Supcryi-
sor Of census for the Fifth district Of
Virginia, he and DR.. Il. &. Cabell, Of
this city, being the two Democratic ap-
pointeeS under the requirements Of the
act Of Congress.
Mr.. Ayres was not prominent in
politics during the period of re-
adjustment, but always supported the
regular Democratic ticket. In l-S3 he
was elected member of the State
Committee for the Ninth congressional
district, and at once aided in the complete
reorganization Of the district, himself
taking charge Of the Second senatorial
district, reversing a majority Of over
1000 and electng c. +. Flanary to
succeed Clint Wood, the Republican
nominee for ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. and
Flanary now holds over as "a long
term senator.
Mr.. AyreS was appointed a delegate
to the National Convention at Chicago
in 1854, and was by his delegation
unanimously elected yice-president for
Virginia. lie was n prominent candi-
date before the Congressional Conyen-
ton for the Ninth district last year and
came very near receiving the nOmina-
ton. He then took al active part in
the canvass AZ chairman Of the Ninth
District Committee, and the result evil
denced hIs splendid work.
In personal appearance Mr.. Ayres
very strikingly resembles the lion. John
Goode. but Is not so tall or So stout.
lie Is one Of the most popular public
men in Southwestern Virginia. lie is
a good, sound, practical lawyer, and.
aided by his experience in the halls of
legislation, will make one of the
most able, upright. and effective attor.
neys the State has ever had. He
enters the canvass in robust health
he knows the people OF his
section. and they know and love and
trust him; he is a good talker before
popular assemblages, is frank and
courageous in the expression of his
views, and Is fully equipped with in
formation concerning the State debt
and other issues of the canvass. He
was put forward by the young De-
mocracy; he was nominated as a Young
Democrat, and will be elected as A
representative Of that large BODY in our
party. In him the party will have a
good candidate. In him the State will
have good Attorney-General.
A Few Press Commons.
HUkBAH FOR FITZ LEE,
Lynchburg News
The Convention made short work or
ITS business. And it made good WORK.
1t put thing, through with a rush. CAL
liant FltZ Lee is the man He will