The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-19

LovcnstcinD
vauia county where he studied law and
after d short term at the University of
Virginia, be was admitted TO the bar. lie
located at PittsyNania Courthouse, and
from the first took a high stand i'm his
profession. In the fan of 1881. though
only twcnty-four years Of age, he was
elected TO the Legislature from Plttsyl-
Vania county. and was reelected I'm 1883
and 1855, leading the ticket in each in
stance. In the memorable contest be-
tween Hon. John 5. Barbour and Major
John ". Daniel for the United States
Senate, Mr. MunfOrd was one Of Major
Daniels leaders. and after the endorse
ment Of tho caucus had been secured,
was selected 10 place Major Daniel I'm
nomination before the Legislature, which
he did I'm a speech which was widely
commended for its good taste and elO-
Cuencc. In 1884 MI MWfOrd was a
Presidential eieCtOr on the Cleveland and
Hendricks ticket In the Legislature of
1855 me was chairman of the Judiciary
Committee OF tnc House. In the guber-
Material contest between Mckinney and
Malone In 1859, MI Munford. at the re-
quest % the Democratic leaders, wrote
q review Of the legislation and attempt
ed legislation of ISL 50. which was print
@ and widely distributed under the head
ing, "Mahoneism Unveiled" and was the
most valuable campaign document In that
canvass.
In the electoral college of 1884. Mr..
Huuford met the late Judge Waller r..
Staples. who was eicctOr-at-large, and
later as member OF the special joint
committee OF the legislature 10 review the
DIRK of the rcvisOrs of the Code he was
associated with tho Judge constantly.
This association resulted in a warm
friendship and a determination on the
part OF both TO remove TO Richmond and
establish q copartnership for the practice
of law. As a result Of this determine
ton the firm of Staples q MunfOrd was
established in lNchmOnd In 1855 and has
since enjoyed a large and constantly i'm
crcasing practice, ranking as one OF the
ahest and most distinguished law firms
j. the city or state. This partnership
was terminated by the death Of Judge
staples only few weeks since.
I'm 1889 NJ MunfOrd was elected 10 the
Legislature from the city OF Richmond.
and was male chairman of the Finance
Committee of the House, ana of the spe-
cial Jolnt-Committee on the Settlement
of the state debt. To the great work of
finally adjusting the troublesome debt
question Mr. MunlOrd devoted himself
with untiring energy. He made himself
master of every detail. ana his speech I'm
presenting the OlcOtt settlement TO the
House was one of the most concise and
lucid statements of the whole debt com
pucation shat has ever been made. Mr..
Nunford was temporary chairman of the
guhcInatOrlal convention OF 1895. His
speech in opening that convention was
such an able exposition OF the principles
of the Democratic party that IL was
printed by the committee ana widely dis
tributod as a campaign document.
Since he retired from the Legislature I'M
1891. Mr. MunfOrd has steadily refused
TO become a candidate for Office, though
he has frequently been urged 20 run for
Congress Mayor and other positions Of
Importance and responsibility. and he only
consented 10 become a candidate for the
state Senate In the present campaign
upon the assurance that there would be
no opposition 90 his nomination.
I'm the stanton convention OF 1896. MT.
Munford lead the opposition to the adop-
ton Of q platform which would commit
the party 10 the free coinage or silver
a. ratio Of 10 10 l. Believing. howev-
or that the maintenance Of the integrity
Of the Democratic organization was a
matter of paramount importance. he ac-
cepted the decision OF the convention OF
bis party and voted FOR Mr. Bryan for
President.
Mr.. Munford is a careful student OF all
public questions. I'm public as well as
private life. he rs noted FOR the complete
ness with which he masters every detail
Of a Subject which he Is called upon 20
consider and the ability with which he
applied this information 20 the accom-
piishmont OF practical results. He Is
especially interested in labor problems.
lie is a believer In organized labor and
looks forward confidently 20 the time
when under proper laws the CONDITION
OF labor will be more and more improved
Mr. MunfOrd A. prominently identified
with the business interests Of Richmond.
lie Is q director in several banking and
other business enterprises. and president
OF the city Bar Association. He Is also
p member Of the Board % Visitors of
William and Mary College. member OF
tho directory OF the Virginia Historical
society the Confederate Museum. the
University College OF Medicine, and other
Ike institutions. He II a 'estfyman OF
sd PauTs church. and deer ly interested
in all church work.
Captain John n. 0ple
Captain John n. Opie who will sue
c.ad Hon. Edward Echols as Senator