The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-15

that time that he made ms hrs' "lto"l auNo 'h
public sfe for he was electeu 10 ''o ''s's'"-
ture from that county IN 1877.
IN tbo leoisiotive balls. though but com.
,,.~a.',ai, veung man. he attracted general
a.,ontion and those sterling guaities Whlch
~. ~ bim eurh success later IN life we're
Tero for the first time eNempllhed. IN ue-
Is+o i'm the cOmmttee-room ne showed 'hat
,.,neorvetisn knowledge ot ahhFs ana h'gn
,,.,nc,nle which but augurs for huccess' ana
ae n man of sound business Judgment MI
harbour was often consulted
ruK RAILRoAD PRESIDENT.
This is certainly borne out in his election TO
Ella presidency Of the Orange and Alex
snira Railroad Company in 1892.
Ils railroad ran from Orange Court
Llu-e 10 Alexandria. and soon Mr.. Bar
Isur's clear and well-directed policy develop.
ej the resources through which the road
van. The management was n most ludlclcus
and conservative one aud he served IN the
canacitv Of president with signal credit until
the road was merged into what is now known
as the Virginia Midland Railroad Company.
lie was then elected president of this more
extensive line and It was during hs presl-
deucy that IT'S iron arms were stretched 10
Lynchburg aud then 60 Danvllle. Mr.. Bar
bour with clear and wonderfully ludiciOus
comprehension of the needs OF the country
and The benefits his organization could de
rive from the proper development OF re-
sources along the line of The road bent every
energy % give 10 the people Of those
sections completely equipped traffic line aud
az thes same time bring out from mother
earth her many treasures
With a knowledge of the minute Workings
of the organization. Mr.. Barbour directed the
management of the road with hnesse that
was eminently satisfactory 90 both employe
and st0ckholder and the result of his astute-
ness. conservatism and managerial aonity Is
the splendid property at the present tme.
He was connected with the railroads nearly
thirty-one years, resigning rs he did IN 1888.
CHAIRMAN on TIE STATE COMmffEE.
Just the year MI Barbour resigned from
the presidency of the railroad a convention
of party leaders and the State Democratic
committee was held In LynchDurR. The
State was then dominated by MahOnelsm,
and the Readiuster struggles had thinned the
Democratic ranks OF some of the leaders. be-
sides many voters. The prospects were IN
deed dismal for Democratic success, and 1t
was with almost despair that the convention
discussed the situation. Finally 1t was
decided 90 ask Nh Barbour TO accept the
Craftsmanship of the committee and he agreed
10 do 81 ii unanimously elected. He wished 70
have the entire support of All the leaders IN
al sections of the State. he was unanimously
elected, and then began one of the fercest
political battles that has ever been fought IN
Virginia. Mr. Barbour's wonderful ability.
his clear perception into the true state OF a..
fairs and his capacity for extricating himself
OF others from every difficulty were put TO
most severe tests, and with an unorgsnlzed
line of Democrats, with many converts 10 Re-
ad uster ideas 10 bring baok to the Demo
cratic fold he undertook a task that seemed
almost impossible.
lie. however. carried away with a magnetic
power his workers, giving them each clear
advice that was valuable and from fortune
favored Democrats from other States he re
ceived pecunary support. His sound ]udg-
ment and conservative ideas gave sufficient
guarantee that the funds would be well spent.
and tie Richmond merchants rallied 20 hs
support as they have but 20 few other men.
The election WAS for members of tho Legls-
lature. and Democratic majority occupied
tho two houses at the next session. To Mr.
Barbour deserves the credit of the meiamor-
phosis
The next election was also won by the De
mocracv. giving 20 Grover Cleveland 1or the
first time tho electoral vote of Virginia. Fitz-
hugh Lee in the following year was elected
Governor of the Commonwealth. and Demo
cratic success crowned each eaort as directed
by Ar. Barbour.