Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-21
RICHMOND, VA, SATURDAY,

elaborate and exhaustive than at the
ilrst; and the court. after holding the
case under advisement for twelve months
or more. adhered to its former decision,
Judges Lewis and Richardson dissenting" "
Judge staples was regular attendant
upon DR.. Hoge's church. and. to the
qualification OF all his friends, he snited
himself with that church a short time
ago. IL Is source of comfort to knew
that he crowned q long and useful lie
by declaring his faith in the Giver OF All
Life. EUGENE c. MASSlE.
CAUSE OF SINCERE REGRET.
1t was with sincere regret that L read
the telegram announcing the death OF
Judge Waller Il. Staples. His long anu
distinguished career made him a wei
coined guest in any assembly, and ms
kind and courteous manners drew all 10
him. Great capacity for work, strohs
and well-balanced mind, and an pnusual-
ly good memory, made him strong Jaw
vera great lawyer. While he was a
member Of the Supreme Court OF Appears
OF Virginia he was an indefatiSaDle
worker. and any one referring 10 the l.
ports during his term is at once STRUCK
with the large proportion OF decisions
rendered by him. and with his logical and
precise statement OF the law goVerhIhs
the cases. HIS great ability was never
more fully shown than In his dlssehtlns
opinion I'm the case Of Antoni VS.. Wright
y Grattan $50 rendered in November
the State would have been saved almost
endless litigation. AS IL was, his views
were first endorsed by the Readjuster
party. afterwards by the Dem0crauc
party. the Supreme Court or the OnltSu
States. and the Supreme Court OF Appeals
Of Virginia.
His wide range of knowledge and ac-
duaintance made him a charming coin-
panion, and 1t was pleasing TO note ms ~,
kindness or manner, especially 10 ms Ju-
h.
bar on the bench. AT the fireside. or NJ
the club. he commanded the respect ana
the admiration Of all who came in con-
tact with him, and In his death the peo-
pie OF Virginia have suffered a dlstnct
loss w. -. ShE~lON'
ABLEST MEMBER CT TEE COURT.
During the twelve years IN which Judge
Stables was one OF the members or lhe
Supreme Court Of Appeals or virginia II
became my duty to argue many cases Oh
difficulty and importance lcIore that
court. / always regarded hifn as py lar
the ablest member OF The court, ana espe-
ciallv i'm cases involving questions or
nolitical character and constitutional
law He was perhaps not so accurate lh
his learning as the late Judge Burks as
10 the general course of cases before the
court. but was always equal in the clear
ness and soundness Of his judgments.
I'Don the whole. | think that by falr
COMPARISON of his opinions, no judge ol
that court since the war would be en-
titled to higher distinction for patient in
vestigation, clear statement of facts, and
the lucid enunciation Of sound principles
OF law. JOHN HOW AtD'
HIS WORTH TO HIS PARTY.
Judge Waller II. Staples was one or
the last friends with whom | parted at
the Roanoke convention, and the news OF
his death comes TO me as great shock
j shall greatly miss him, for there was
no one in all the Commonwealth TO whom
/ turned for advice in difficult political
situations as / did TO Judge Staples, ana
his readiness to help always made IT such
a pleasure to consult him. / have had
occasion frequently during the years or
nv Craftsmanship 10 call upon him 10
speak in various parts Of the state, and /
have never known him TO refuse when IL
was physically possible for him to keep
the appointment.
RE was interested I'm the wellbeing OF
the Democratic party 10 the very end OF
his life. and he cheerfully contributed.
whenever called upon, generously OF MS
great learning and legal abilities TO the
councils Of his party and in his death we
have lost one Of our most sagacious ana
useful party leaders.
J. TAYLOR ELLYSON.