Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-31
TWO GREAT VIRGINIANS.
John Randolph Tucker TO Retire
from Political Life.
From he Neao York ,S,ln,

From the Neao York Sun.
WASHINGTON, Aug 28.-One of the
Ablest and most interesting members of
the present House OF Representatives is
Hon. John Randolph Tucker, of Virginia,
and his purpose to retire from political
life at the close of this term of service
evokes sincere and very general ex-
preston Of regret, not only within his own
party, but also within the party of his
political opponents. The universal SEN
timent is, indeed, that his place will not
easily be filled. He is a profound law
yer. brilliant speaker, largely read In all
Of the polite arts, and man of the purest
and most elevated character. The study
OF his makeup, both mental and moral, is
source of inspiration for young men, as
ii is one OF pleasure and congratuation to
all those who stand near to him by reason
OF age and familiar acquaintance.
Mir. Tucker is in mis- sixty third year,
but is vigorous man In every way. He
shows in every line and lineament the
splendid effects of an orderly life and
good keeping. His eyes are bright, his
color is high, his hair, though snowy
white, is still in boyish profusion. He
walks with the sprlngy step of a boy. 1t
is certainly not age or infrmity that in
duces him to retire from participation in
IL
tiOnal life as member Of the Forty-fourth
Congress, and has been a member of
every Congress since. lie had been
Attorney General OF Virginia and
professor of equity and public law at
Washington and Lee University, and was
easily the first Virginia lawyer of his day.
His committee assignments in Congress
have been in the line of his profession,
and in the Forty eighth Congress he was
made ioia
mittee. He was reappOinted to that posi-
ton upon the organization OF the present
House and is filling 1t with distinguished
ability. From being the first Virginia
lawyer he has risen to be a recognized
legal light throughout the whole country
Dir. Tucker gives as a reason for with.
drawing from public life that he is tired
OF Congress.
He is not a disappointed man in any
sense. His success has gratified and sat
lsfed him. He. could easily have come
back. His people are devoted to him. and
labored to induce him to change his reso-
luton. But he was fixed in it, and re-
fused to permit his name go before the con-
ventlon. he has been amused, as others
with full knowledge of the circumstances
have been, at the story put out by the
protectionists OF both parties that in de-
clinIng TO stand for reelection be was fee
ing from the wrath he had provoked at
home by his championship OF free trade
principles. He Is In the front rank
OF revenue reformers, not less eloquent
than fearless and outspoken, and in every
campaign he has ever made has raised
that standard. He would have rallied his
forces under 1t again had he taken the
held and would have won. His people
arc heartily with him on that issue as on
every otner. One OF the chief regrets
occasioned by his retirement is that it
comes at time when the issue OF which
he is concededly one OF the foremost cham
pions presses, after many discouraging
setbacks, for immediate recognition, and
Is certain to receive it.
Mr.. fuckers future is undecided. IL
he is to enter upon the practice of his pro-
fesslOn his friends insist that he must
open mis- office here, where the field is
commensurate with his reputation and
ability. He ought not, they tell him, to
think OF burying himself PROFESSIONALS
in the little Virginia town where he lives.
when great cases before the Supreme
Court will go hunting in this town for
such talents and learning as he possesses.
1t is not Improbable, however, that he
may conclude to return to his old chair
at the Washington and Lee University.
which has been his TO resume any day
since he left it. He is fond OF that
lie; is partial TO the society Of
young men, and loves to lecture TO them
on law. This passion tor the duties OF an
educator brought him and the late Gen.
GARFIELD (who had also been college
professor) into the very closest personal
communion, though they were widely
separated on political lines. They were
rs brothers, indeed, while mem bers
OF Congress together, and when Gen. lar
held died Mrs. Garfield selected Mr.. Tuck
er 10 be the guardian Of her minor chill
dren. His salary at the university wou Id
DO small, but sufficient to satisfy his
tastes, which arc those OF q simple
hearted and scholarly gentleman. lie