Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-01-30
Letter from Richmond

RICHMOND, Va, Jan. IS 1892
Mra. Annie L. Smith, the lady who has
baen knocking g. Re door of the gisla!urs
for several years for the right to practice
lsw in this State gained Vist''y ti.dsy
shich get her wild WITH enthusiasm and
evoked applause from admiriDg frisnda. She
gained her victory before the senst COM
mittee f,r courts Ct lstice, and gained 1t By
bachelor votes. The occasion was interest.
ing az it mag marx new era In the social
fabric OF Virginia, By the Introduction OF
women into the legal profession. Mrs.
Smiths husband is an attorney in the city
Of Danyllis His name Ia an euphoneous
one and If written In iull would be Phile-
mon Adolphus Lycurgus Smith. Dawn 10
Danville they cali him ieimont Airline
Smith en- account OF his initials. l; having
been generally kno~n for several dasa that
M,s. Smith would appear te'ore the commit
tee for courts of justice to-day, tiere was
big crowd on hs d u greet her. She 10
qai:e pretty and was very Handsomely
dressed In q suit OF black. She tripped into
the committee room With graceful step
and t:e:e followed coee behind her big
batch OF curious men, embracing Newspaper
reporters, laTyers, dcc.or5, couple oil
preachers and nunoer OF bachelors. Ul.
dsunted by the appearance OF ala congiom.
Grafton of Tisdom and good looks Mrs.
Smith was equal to the occasion, and plead
ed her caose in most persuasive manner.
Authority after authority she cited 70 s5o6
,hs. she Vas on the side o! modern eniight
eminent and was starting ball IN motto
which she predicted would POLL all over the
Common wealth. Unliks Thomas Benton
she ola not stand solitary and alone amid
she eers and taunls OF her opponents, nor
vac she allowed, like Org, ,rlx Of DID, t,
plead her cause in chants. Gallant seCa!ors
stood around her and each Wed With the
other In the maniiestt Ions OF their gal.
lsntry.
"Gsntlemen CT the commit ee" she began
in clear voice that persuaded Senators to
pay her profound attention. Il did not come
prepared With set speech, did not have
time to get one ready. have been travel
log all night" Here she dived down Into
pile OF iaw books and hurled authority
tar authority a. the legal head of the ia.
dietary committee Of the Senate. Chairman
Blackstone looked grave and dign!6sd, and
clearly indicated In the beginning that he
was an out and out womaa's rights man.
Sent t or Food, OF Appoma,tox, the beau OF
the Senate, sat next 20 Mrs. Smith and
helped her in fading authorities. Grave
and reverend Senator Echole, OF Augusta,
whose jokes are told ss " he we're in the
agones OF death, looked on the scene With
holy horror. Not 30 with Senator Little, Of
Fredericksburg, the orator of the sera 9.
Twas fun for hiu, but Senator Barnse, Of
Nsnsemoud, could notFea much amusement
in # and IL is said he # erwards wept Ike
child because le Leglss t IRE failed to de- j is.
,ioe TO Mrs. Smith Two years ego Prescott.
IL Mrs Smith said, Gentlemen of the com.
uittee I now leave the nat,r With you,
trusting that you will award me Justice"
Then the cbsifmsn took up the thread OF
conversation, but bsfore he had said hall
DR. 30 words, Tom Harrison, the genial Ben
ator FROM Winchester. covered hia face With
msgnAcert smiles and broke the Ice With
this motion: "Mr. Chairman, move that
the bill be reported" Then came a polling
Of the vote and Senator'S Blackstone. Peters,
Harrison and Walton answered In the of
6smative, while negst Ge RESPONSES came
from Senators Jones. Little, Flood, Sands
and Tyler. The chairman 8as about an
nounce the defeat OF the bill when Mr..
Tyler arose and changed his vot.
which gave . victory TO Mrs. Smith.
EnthuseG by her success, Hrs. Smith clapped her
hands in d.light and started an spplaufe that
N sde John Bell Bigger, who In his odi e be,
low, wonder what hsd broken loose in Virginia.'
The scene viii now be shifted to the Senste, aud
when the bill comes Do before that august body it
will be field day for the Senatorial orator..
About fifteen bills introduced IL the Senate ard
passed by tha. body are now in the House. Those
of inter st 10 Alexandris and the Alexandria DIS
trict will se< ure the special attention o. Deegste
epd,elm, who is always docking out for home
Senator Watson, az Nottowsy the youngest
member Of the senate, and ptEosps the youngest
man ever sent 10 thst body. made his maiden
effort to-day. He spoke neaIls so hoar IA favor
of the bill know as the female doctors bill. he
acquitted himsslf Handsomely sid won msny high
compliments
Court of Appeals Ia Richmond Yesterday.
Patterson against McKin ney. Argued
and submitted
3 chmond and Danville Railroad Com
pany against Mcfsse. Argued by W. &.