Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-19
Hon. William Il. McRae.
netershnrg Index-AppeaD

petersburg lnueA-Apptdi)
In reply TO a question by an Index
Appeal reporter yesterday, Hon. w. Z.
NcRae. one of our present representa-
tives in the Virginia House of Dele
gates. said that he would not be a candi-
date for reelection. He further stated
that II was a matter OF serious con-
sideration with him at the election in
1895 whether or not he should then be
a candidate. 1t was with some sur
prise that the reporter heard this an
nouncement. because the impression is
prevalent that Mr.. McRae would be a
candidate.
Mr.. McRae is now serving his second
term in the House Of Delegates. having
been elected in 1893 and in 1895, and
was one of the youngest members of
the Legislature when he entered that
body being about 80 years Of age. He
proved an earnest and lndefatigable
worker and was influential in some or
the most important legislation Of the
last four years. He secured repeal OF
the law requiring separate juries In cou-
pom cases. thus saving to Petersburg
an annual expense Of $3.50 or 5000;
had an act passed allowing husband
and wife 10 testify for and against
each other in certain cases. and besides
being patron of many other useful mea-
sures caused the passage OF the acts
allowing any officer or fiduciary TO give
a surety company as surety on his bond.
This aforementioned act is rapidly
changing the whole system OF surety
ship in Virginia
His industry and ability found recog-
milton in appointment on some Of the
most important committees Of the House.
At present he is chairman Of the Com
he presided during an investigation or
dered by the House of the election OF
Acknowledgement of the Virginia Volun-
teers. Although much feeling was dis
PLAYED during the proceedings, all parties
were satisfied with Mr.. McRaes conduct
of the investigation, and all Of the men,
hers of the committee united in the re-
mort which was drawn by him. He is also
n member OF the Committee on
Courts of Justice, and his principal work
has been done as an active member of
this committee. All changes In the gene
raj laws touching the rights Of persons
and property are referred to this COM
mittee. He Is also on the Committee on
Privileges and Elections-the ranking
committee OF the House. His position on
this committee would entitle him to its
chairmanship in case or his return to
the House In addition TO his regular
committee work. Mr.. McRae is on the
spec.al Committee on the Reduction of
Criminal Expenses. whose work during
the last session Is saving the State about
$4,000 a year. He has also served at
various times on two special committees
on the insane and epileptic. He is one OF
the commissioners representing Virginia
in the conference OF States upon uni
xo..s,tf,, NJ State legislation.
At the close of the session OF 1885, "a
Mr.. McRae prepared summary OF
work of the session which attracted
wide attention. He wrote for the Vir-
einia Law Register in 1896 full re-
view of the acts Of general interest
ma ssed during the session Of 1855, and
he recently read before the Virginia Bar
Association a paper upon Legislation
Since the Code" or this paper the Vir-
ginia Law Register says editoriaily: MIR.
McRas has been for some years a MEM
her OF the Legislature and being an
excellent lawyer. was well equipped for