Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-31
Congratulations.
Yesterdays NOMINEES.
John 4. Massey, of tibcmarlc; Rufus 4.
Ayres, OF scott.

John L.. Massey, Of Aibemarlc; Rufus !.
Ayres, Of scott.
Hon. John f. Massey. who was yes
terday nominated by the Democratic
State Convention for the Office Of Lieu
tenant-GoyernOr, was born in SpOtsyl-
yania county. Va, April >, 1919, and
was educated at Richmond College.
He studied law with ). W. Morris at
Louisa Courthouse in 1912, and COM
menced to practice that profession in
1913. In 1915 he abandoned law and
was ordained to the Gospel ministry
in the Baptist Church. Two years
later he was married to a Miss Kable,
Of Jefferson county.
Mr.. Massey located in IIarriSonburg,
Rockingham county, and had charge Of
several churches in the Valley Of VIZ
GINA until 1854. He then took charge
of churches in Albemarle and Nelson
counties, and has since resided in Abe
marie. In 1861 he was compelled. by
the failure of his health, to resign his
pastoral charge, and was unable 10 re-
sumo active labors for shout two years
after which his health was SO far re-
stored as to ensble him to again enter
upon active duties. Losses which he
sustained by the war. however, rem
dcred it necessary for him to give much
of his attention to secular matters.
In 1873 Mr.. Massey was elected to
represent his county lAlbemarle) in the
House Of Delegates. In 1875 he was
reelected. In 1877 he was elected
to the Senate from Albemarlc and
Greene.
Mr.. Massey during his legislative
career gave great attention to the pub
lie debt, and has been, with great
truth. called " the father Of readjust-
ment.'
In ls79 Mr.. Massey did the Read
ulster party twice as much service as
any man in it. Following the Read
ulster victory Of that year, to which
he had contributed 50 much, he
was nominated by the caucus Of that
party and elected Auditor over the old
incumbent, William +. Taylor, Esq.
Ii has often been said Of him that he
made the best Auditor the State ever
had.
But Mr.. Massey and General Malone
soon came into collision. The legisla-
tive caucus adopted as is well known,
with the approval Of General MshOne-
resolution requiring all the heads of
departments to submit to the appoint
ment Of such subordinates as should be
selected by the caucus committee. To
this Massey demurred. He appeared
before the caucus, but their per-
suasions fell upon a ear deaf to them.
Malone met Massey's firmness with
stubbornness. Thus a breach was
opened. 1t grew and grew as new
questions opened up. Likewise grew
the domineering spirit of Malone, who
was assisted by Riddleberger. In less
than two years Auditor Massey and
Senator'S Newberry, Williams. Hale.
and Lybrook afterwards well known as
:" the Big Four were in open revolt.
Immense was the pressure brought to
bear upon all five, but they stood out
against Malone and the caucus like a
stone wall.
General Malone was able to elect S.
Brown Allen, Esq, Auditor, in place
Of Massey, but the senatorial dead
lock " he could not break.
The Big Four" joined to the Demo-
cratic strength, reared an opposition
which broke to flinders and scattered to
the winds MahOne's schemes to Dust
the circuit judges, to alter the charter
ofRchmond, to impose upon the people
the land-sales bill, and, perhaps worse
than al, "a bill to redistrict the State
for members Of Congress-.
That bill meant to give to this Demo-
cratic State large Republican majority
in Virginia's representation in Congress.
Ii is but saying the bare truth when it
is stated that Massey was the leader of
the Big Four" lie encouraged them
in their position. lie helped them to
bear the fierce assaults of their enc
mics. He planned for them. He took
n full share of their troubles and IA
bOrs, Massey, Newberry, Williams,
Hale, and Lybrook saved us from un.
told miserieS. They commanded a
halt. They gained breathing time for
the Democrats. The Democrats and
anti-Mahone Readjusters rallied at the
next State election, and both branches
OF the General Assembly we're wrested
from the Mahoneites.
In 1882 the Democrats supported
Massey for congressman at large, and
he made canvass Of the State under
most discouragipg circumstances. He