The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-28

company.
As Reasoner and Advocate
Hon. II. r. Pollard who was associated
with Judge Crump in the Cluverius case
gives the following Impressions OF me
distinguished advocate:
Whoever has the opportunity OF ac-
cuaiutance with the social, political and
legal lights Of Virginia during the period
just preceding ana following the late war
is obliged 90 know much concerning
Raleigh Travers Daniel John Randolph
Tucker and William Wood Crump. Allie1
hy family ties they were the more east
ly drawn together by their common taste
for literature and their devotion 10 the
learned profession 10 which they gave
their lives with am energy rarely equal
led.
If asked to point out the lines on which
they respectively excelled. 1 would say
that Mr.. Tucker was the greatest states
man and constitutional lawyer Mr.
Daniel the most graceful speaker and sue
cessful political leader and Judge Crump
The accutcst TcasOner and the most Inn
pressive and persuasive advocate. They
were giants all When shall We look
upon their Ike again?
But 10 Us concerning the character and
life of the last named of this superb trio.
that l am asked 10 write my impress c1S
] do so reluctantly because I feel 80 must
Doe impcrfeCuy done.
A striking characteristic Of Judge
! Crump as q lawycr-he can fcaraely be
tlOlcht Of except ass a. lawyer--Was tie
rOundness Of DIS attlnmeuts. AS %
O. mlnal lawyer he was without 2 peer,
as q master OF pleading. he had no supe-
rior. as q tactitiOn in the trial OF nisi
prus causes. he was equal 10 the best.
| for the searching examination OF witness
e.. he had matches el,il. with the prin-
ciples and practice in equity he WAS
perfectly familiar. and ln that forum as
Thoroughly at home ass in the common
law courts, as an advocate before judge
or itry. who could surpas5 him in i'm
praa fiVe statements OF his case impas-
6iOlaI appeal or persuasive argumentl
Is THE JETER PHILIPS CASE.
The career Of Judge Crump IS no eXcep-
ton TO the rule that the name and fame
of every great lawyer is inseparatly con-
uccted with one or more celebrated cases.
The trial of Warren Hastings brings 10
mind the names Of Burke and Sh~-iiaiL
WrCs brilliant prosecution Of Aaron
Burr made him famous as an orator and
brought him forward as 81 presidential
candidate Websters renOwn as senator
and statesman barely surpasses the great
distinction he secured as counsel In the
Dartmouth College case And the late
.
attained the acme OF his reputation by
his ingenius and successful defence of An
drew Johnson on his impeachment trial
So Judge Crumps name is inseparably
, connected with the trials of two Of the
most celebrated criminal cases occurring
in this state during the last century.
Joter Phillips was charged with the
murder OF his wife. Ills trial oc-
CURED in 1858 in the hall Of
the House of Delcrates. before
Judge Joseph Christian then the judge Of
the Circuit Court Of Hcurico. Judge
Crump then at the zenith Of his reputa-
ton and power as a lawyer appeared for
tho defence along with MarmadulCe John
son and judge Guig0n Gather OF our dis
tineuished townsman A. H. Guigon, ESQ.,.
Consumed with zeal for his clients cause.
he naturally believed IN his innocence.
even in the face of the most inculpatory
! circumstances Of guilt that wrung a YER
dict Of conviction from the jury In spite
Of every effort boy the able counsel in be
half OF the defence. Every effort had
been exhausted in the courts. and before
the executive 10 avert the avenging hand
Of the law. and the day OF execution came
and the hitherto impurterbable culprit
confessed his crime which was quickly
communicated 10 the faithful attorney
who was found surrounded by 3 few
friends at his hospitable home. The at
| torncy positively refused 10 accept the
statement and with an impressive en-
phasls for which he was so noted, said.
Impoeslble-T cannot believe it-Jeter
. Phillips is an innocent man"
DEFENCE OF CLUVFRIUS.
Al tho time OF tho trial Of the other
/ case that Of Cnverius ln 1855. If his ar
! dor was somewhat abated. his clear con-
ception Of things. his concise statement
OF facts and principles. and his persua-
/ sivo eloquencc ne an advocate. remained
/ unimpalred. With cOnsummate skill he
! mainly conducted the cross-examination
of witnesses. and the witness in whom
/ the scare. of his examination found
no bias prejudice or falsohood. was 'an
Israolte indeed in whom There was no
| guile"
II has been truly said that the test Of
A great mind Is the power OF making a
vigorous reply to a powerful attack.
| In this case. the learned and able advo-