Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-02-12
Virginia Judges in New York
TFrom the New York Star.

A. t5e Hoffman House the other evening
quartette of Important men surrounded
one OF the tables in the cafe. They were all
Southernels, aud occupy eminent positions
in the life of that section. Every one of
them has remarkable history, full OF brave
ry and romance both in war and peace.
Three OF them are distinguished judges, and
the fourth is strong lawyer aud politician.
All of them have been mixed up for the iast
quarter of Q century in the reconstrnc5io
Of the South, dealing politically and judi
cially with ihe great problem that has affect
ed that section OF our country. Two OF
them bad fought dueis over the bitter con
troversy arising from their prominence in
public affairs,
I'he eldest OF the lot was Judge Robert
W. Hughes. he presides over the United
States Court for the eastern District OF Viz
ginia. lie was colder in the Confederate
army aud after the war became journalist.
He took the republican view Of reconstruc-
ton and edited newspaper at Richmond.
His strong individuality ana foroefnl diction
brought hin irtc no end Of combats with
tho men who we're with him before and dur
ing the rebellion. Coming from an old and
aris;ooraiic family, bis lineage could not be
as=aied, and in the turbulent scenes and
politics of that time he became powerful
factor and eminent figure. He was afraid OF
no.hiug, and advanced his opinions with
great freedom. On June II, 1863, he fought
duel ln North Carolina with William e.
Cameron. who edited the Petersburg IndeT,
over an editorial printed in his paper.
Caueron was wounded OF the first fire, and
4 Dlro, hot
Hughes AID Cameron afterward became
personal and political friends before Cam
eron vas elected Governor, during Ma
houe's control Of Virginia. Hughes had
oeen made United States District Judge
by q republican President few years before.
Judge Hughes is growing old, and long ago
gave up the controversies OF life for hisjudi-
ciaI duties. But he s stll fine specimen
of manhood, With we'll rounded form and
face deDoting intelligence, courage and good
humor.
Next to him sat John S. Wise. who as
young lieutenant carried thu news OF Lees
surrender to Jeff Davis at Danvie, We.
Several years ago he stood side by side with
Judge Huehes ir the combsts OF political
life in the Ola Dominion, and in lhe bitter
ness they engendersd he wes challenged to
mortal combat by Page Mccarthy, a journal.
ist of Richmond. Mr.. Wise comes ofa fight.
ing family. His father, Henry A. Wise,
fought two duels while member of Con
press, and had been second in three more.
He was censured ny 8 Congressional com
mittee for his part in the famous duel in
which the eminent Jonathan Cilley Of Maine
was killed by Congressman Graves OF Ken.
lucky. Mr.. Wise was member of Congress
aad a candidate for Governor, and then
came to New York 70 practice law. Nc
Carthy still edits his newspaper in Rich
mond.
On the opposite side ofthe table sat Judge
Hugh J. Bond, who presides over the United
States Court of which Virginia is part.
He lives in Baltimore, but spends most OF
his time farther south. He used TO be To-
cal Judge in the Monumental City when
the republicans controlled Maryland. He
ives appointed to his present position by
General Grant, and he's decided very many
of the political cases which have come up
in the South. He is man of medium size,
with q strongly marked face and clear gray
ewes His white mustache and hair iudi-
cate that he isgrowing old. But Judges are
we'll fed and do not mature very rapidly.
On his right sat Judge John Paul, a large.
fine locking man, not fifty years Of age, l
should say. His full, round stomach and
cheerful face indicate that ne is exceedingly
well fed and contented with life. Mr.. Paul
is United States District Judge for The West
ern District of Virginia He lives in the
Shenandoah Valley and first came into
prominence by being elected member OF
Congress the first year that the republicans
got strong foothold in the Old Dominion.
He is O supporter of General Mabone's poll.
cy Low, as he vas then, although, like
Judge Hughes, he takes no active part in
politics Be made very creditsble mem
ber of Congress, and, although but a short
time on the Bench is satisfactory Judge.
Around this table was seated the whole
judicial power of the United States Govern.
ment for the State of Virgins and one emf
uent lawyer who pleaded before these
Judges, and I recalled the interesting fact
that The three Virginia republicans had all
besn Confederate soldiers, and were recruit.
ed from the democratic party 10 the contest
over reconstruction. Before they broke up
and separated they we're joined by rather
tall, lauk man Of middle age-Judge Luns.
ford l. Lewis, Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court OF Appeals of the Old Dominion. His
father is John T Lewis, who used to be
United States Senator The Lewis family
is one of the Oldest in the South, and Judge
| Lews's ancestors are among The pioneers
in the early settlement of Virginia, and the
figure of one of them graces the great Wash
ington Monument 10 the State House yard
at Richmond.
| BuckseH's Aruica Salye