Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-15
OVER THREE SCORE AND TEN.
Brief Sketch of the Life and Public Ser
vices of the Deceased.

Mr.. Barbour was few months less then
~ years old. He was born IN Culpeper
county December 20. 1920, and came or
one of the most illustrious families OF the
Old Dominion. He was grandson OF Nor:
decai Barbour. who married daughter OF
John Strode and the Oldest son OF John
Strobe Barbour. O prominent lawyer In his
| county, who was member of the conyen-
| ton of 1929, represented his district in Con-
| gress, and married Miss Beirne, of Peters
| burg.
James Barbour, a member of the House
of Burgesses from Culpeper IN l76i, was
| the great-grandfather of the deceased.
while Hon. Philip Pendleton Barbour,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
and justice OF tho United states supreme
Court, was his great-uncle. James Bar
bour. another of his great-uncles, was one
of the Governors of Virginia, served in
the United States Senate, was once Secre-
tary of War, and was Minister TO England
under the administration of John Quincy
Adams.
EDUCATED AS A LAWYER.
After an excellent preparation at the
best schools of that day Senator Barbour
entered the University of Virginia, where
he pursued a course of study for three
years. He graduated from the school OF
law in 1912, and straightway began the
practice of his profession In his native
county.
In is47 the people OF Culpeper sent him
tc the Legislature. and he served them LOT
four consecutive sessions.
In 1852 he was elected president of the
railroad company then known as the
Orange and Alexandra, in which position
he remained until it was merged into what
is now designated az the Virginia Midland
Railway Company, extending from Alexan-
dria to Danville. altogether serving the
railroad twenty-nine years. He was norni-
mated by the Democrats for the Forty
seventh Congress, and was reelected to
the Forty-eghth and Forty-nlnth Con-
gress, when he declined reelection.
MADE STATE CHAIRMAN.
In 1s83-Virginia then being dominated
by the Malone party and the Democrats
propect being exceedingly dismal-the
State convention met at Lynchburg and
the votes of the delegates called MIR. Bar
bour to the Craftsmanship OF the State
Committee. He accepted, proceeded to
reorganize the party, and led 1t IN CAM
paign of unexampled vigor. Success crown
ed him and his associates with victory
and the Democratic party, then returning
to power. has ever since been able TO main
tain itself against Malone and the Repub-
licans. Mr.. Barbour continued at the head
of the Democratic Committee until 1889,
when he declined to serve longer and was
succeeded by Hon. Basil b. Gordon. The
Chairman spent the greater portion OF
1886 in Europe, and during his absence
Colonel Archer Anderson, OF this city. act
ed in his steal.
ELECTED TO THE SENATE
On the night of December g., 1887, Mr.
Barbour was unanimously nominated ior
limited States senator by the Democratic
caucus. He was elected on the Goth of the
same month; Mr.. w. A. Anderson. OF
Kockbrldge, nominating him IN the JOINT
session. and Lyon q. Tyler, OF Richmond,
secondine the nomination. Thevot upon
that occasion was 81 for Barbour and 40 tor
Malone.
He took his seat in the United States
Senate March 4, 1899, and his term would
not have expired until 1885,. g,
Mr.. Barbour was man OF education ana
refinement, and of varied information In
regard to the State and country. In Con-
press he was q useful and honored men,
| Der. served on important committees, and
was chairman of that on the District OF
| Columbia. In the Senate he was of great
| service TO Virginia and the nation. lie
had an extensive acquaintance with the
| leading men of the county. and though
no great speaker 1t has been everywhere
| conceded that he was q man or unques-
tionable ability.
HIS UNCLE, TOO. DIED SUDDENLY.
The sudden death of Mr.. Barbour recalls
the equally sudden death of his kinsman.
Judge Barbour. He had been sitting IN
| tho United States Supreme Court, went to
bed apparently perfectly well. and was
| found dead the next morning. This oc-
Cured in January or February, ls4l, after
Harrlson's election. but before his inaugu-
ration. 1t was proposed to create new
circuit in the southwestern States, giving
to either Mississippi or Louisiana or Ar
kansas the successor or Judge Bar.
bour, and bill to that effect. !
think. passed one house OF Con-
gress. Mr.. Van Buren, sent to the Senate
the nomination of Hon. Peter V. Daniel,
but the Senate delayed action awaiting the
passage of the bill. This failed, however,
and about IL o'clock z. Nj. of March Sd
Mr.. Barbour moved that the Senate 60
into executive session. The OBJECT was
understood, and the Wings tried 10 defeat
il bv absenting themselves so as to leave
| the Senate without quorum. The Demo;
Gratis. however, had counted noses and
secured quorum, and at once confirmed
| Judoe Daniel