Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-07
FRIDAY. AUGUST 2.
Ex.Speaker Bocock Dead.

In Hon. THOMAS 8. BococK has died
virginian Of distinction in legislative
service.
From 1916 70 1861 he represented the
Lynchburg district in the United States
House of Representatives. For nearly
four years he presided over the lower house
OF the Confederate Congress. end within
the last decade almost was q delegate in
the General Assembly Of Virginia. He was
O lifelong Democrat, and in hts party
councils always occupied high position
Thus he had been prominent figure at
Washington, at Richmond, and in several
national Democratic conventions.
He was a man whom tho people loved
and trusted. In his prime, in his district.
no one held so high place in popular
esteem. His power as an orator and his
engaging manners when mingling with his
fellow.citizens contributed to his success
in public life, and he had the courage and
the ability TO sustain himself well wherever
his friends placed him.
His educational opportunities were ex-
cellent, and he was well-equipped for the
practice of the law when he camo to the
bar. He might have gained great emf
nenoe a. q practitioner had not the allure
ments of public life induced him to divide
his time between law and politics. As it
was he won much reputation rs an advo-
cate, and on the side Of the defence. where
his pathos could be exercised. he had few
peers.
In the old Congress Mr.. BococK came
into contact with the great men of his day.
and measured well up to the high standard
which then prevailed. As chairman OF the
Committee on Naval Appropriations he
distinguished himself as practical and
far-seeing legislator. His acquaintance
with parliamentary law and his calmness,
nrmness. and courtesy as presiding off,
Ger induced the Democrats to nominate
him for Speaker at the session which
began in 1859. and his Republican OPP
ponent was Mr.. JOHN SHERMAN. The
strength OF the two nominees was evenly
matched, and for eight weeks there was
"a tie" and each days balloting was
tiresome repetition of the preceding one.
Thus business was almost brought to q
stand-still, and the public mind, already
inHamed by the insurrection at Harper's
Ferry. was wrought up to high pitch. The
way out Of this dilemma was reached by
the Withdrawal Of both BococK and SHxR-
MAN and the election of MIR. PENNINGTON,
OF New Jersey.
Mr.. BococK. of course. stood with his
State in 1861. He was arm in his position,
but was not 80 much inclined to haste as
1vx1A on.
seyvstism was characteristic, and he was
known as "a peace-maker amongst his
fellows. He fully approved the course OF
Virginia, however, and gave to her in that
critical juncture tho ardent service OF a
loyal and loving heart.
This State had not seeded when the
Provisional Congress of the Confederate
States was organized at Montgomery with
the election of Hon. HOWELL Com as presi-
dent. Later on Virginia Joined her SOUTH
ern sisters, and Mr.. BocoCK. having been
chosen as one Of our congressman, was
called upon to occupy the chair in the alb
seuce in the field of Colonel CONF, and
eventually (upon the latter's retirement
from the legislative to the military SER
vice. was elected under "the permanent
Constitution Speaker Of the House, and
there remained until the life Of the Con-
federacy expired on the field of Appomat-
tox, not far from his and his fathers home.
The war over, Mr.. BoCock returned to
the bar and met with success. For awhile
he was q membe Of the House of Dele
gates and there strove TO use his offices Us
. peacemaker with the factions then seri-
ously beginning to war over the public
debt. He and Mr.. /. G. Fowler were joint
authors Of the "BococK-FowLER compro-
mise bill" which the creditors would not
accept, and which but postponed the day
of readjustment.
Perhaps Mr.. BoCocK will be best remem-
bered by this generation of Virginians rs
the president OF several Of our conven-
lions. Here be appeared to great advan-
tage. He welded the gavel with magical
skill and confusion disappeared from his
presence, but there was no harshness in
him and nothing of the dictator. The
Justice Of his decisions and his great
courtesy swept opposition away.
He has gone to join a great host OF
worthy southern men upon whose should
ers fell the burden Of q mighty crisis in our
countrys history. God knows the recti-
tude of their purposes; their devotion to
their principles; their ambition to secure
TO posterity the heritage of local self
government. and lie will mercifully con-
slider their errors end failngs.
Mr.. BooocK's old age was quiet and So
rene. His home was pleasant one, and
he had many dear friends
He saw tho steslthy approach of "the
last enemy with the eye Of faith rather
than of fsar, and now be sleeps with his