Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-29
-. Ac1rE,s RrsIDENCH In DANVIILE.

RESIDENCE IN DANVILLE.
of Federal Attorney were his services
ever found arrayed against an accused
prisoner. Until January, 1895, Mr.. Mon
tague practiced law under his individual
name. but at the beginning of 1888 he
formed a cOpartnership with Mr.. y. III.
Massie, the present Commonwealth At
torney and superintendent of the Demo-
cratic party in Danville. This alliance
continues TO the present day.
HIS AMBITION.
In the spring of 1896 Mr.. Montagues
ambition suggested an effort to secure
the nomination, then a year off, to the
office of Attorney-General of his state,
Accordingly, he sent letters TO numerous
friends throughout the State, stating his
desire and asking opinions on the sub
ject. The responses were more than
gratifying and dispelled any doubt the
young attorney may have had as TO his
making at least a creaitable run. His
residence in several parts Of the State;
his attendance upon three different COL
Ieges; the memory of his father, and,
finally, the numerous mountaineering
resulting from his prosecution of the
Federal attorneyship. which required his
periodical attendance in various cities
in the western portion Of the State, gave
him opportunities for forming diver
sified acquaintanceship with leading men
throughout Virginia.
From tho first the candidacy OF MI
Montague was recognized as seriously
interfering with the calculations and
prospects of other aspirants for the po-
sition. In fact. he was regarded by
{ many close followers of the campaign
as second in strength only to the late
lamented II. Taylor Scott. Three days
before the convention met the DanVille
candidate opened headquarters at Roa-
noke, and I'm those three days and the
first day of the convention his agree
! able and affable conversation and mag
netic personality impressed itself favor
/ ably upon many delegations whose first
/ choice for Attorney-General was one Of
the numerous remaining candidates.
/ Therein is found one explanation of his
nomination on the third ballot.
PERSONAL
Mr.. Montague's family consists Of
wife and three children, the youngest a
| boy Of or 5 months; the two older
| children are both girls. Mrs. Montague
/ was Miss Elizabeth II. Hoskins, daugh-
! ter of Or. Hoskins, of King and QueeS
county, who. until his death, some
| eighteen months ago, was prominent as
a physician throughout his section of
| the State. Her engagement TO Mr.. Mon
| tague dated back from their early youth.
| Their union was solemnized in the fall
/ of 1889. Mrs. Montague is a woman Of
charming personality and generous i'm
/ pulses. qualities that have enshrined her
| in the hearts Of a wide circle of friends.
| When it is stated that she possesses the
| faculty of winning the gracious regard
| of her own sex, enough has been said
| TO indicate her superior nature. Mrs.
! Montague is the ideal wife and mother,
finding her highest pleasure in contri-
buting TO the happiness of her husband
and the proper rearing of her interesting
children. She has unlimited confidence
an The abilities of Jack" her husband.
After his nomination TO the attorney
gCneralship she paively remarked to a
friend that she couldn't account for the
hard fighting that had to be done TO Sc
uTe the honor; the elevation of her hus-
3and she took as matter Of course, as
another step higher in his uniform ad-
vancement.
HIS ORATORICAL GIFTS.
AS a speaker Mr.. Montague is chaste,
elegant, and fluent, the classical flavor
OF his style lending "A peculiar charm TO
| what he has to say. There is much of
! personal magnetism ABOUT MN. Even Il
! person whose beliefs antagonze those Of
/ this young man find pleasure in listening
! TO him. His reasoning is terse, compact,
/ and vigorous. Though OF an intense par
! tisan nature In many respects. his views
! are broad and the result of studious APP
: plication to the particular subject he may
be discussing. His nature is optimistic
on the whole. and his eyes are to the
front always He recognizes that great
changes. of an evolutionary and gradual
process. are going on. That he labors 10
keep in touch with the spirit of the times.
IL may be stated that for some time past.
and at the present time, his reading is
/ confined largely 10 books on social evolu-
ton. Political economy is also present
| favorite study. although his reading just
| At this moment concerns the two para
| mount issues in American politics-the
! tariff and the financial system. His
| library on these two subjects was taken
with him To Frederick county last week,
and IL Is 10 be inferred that he is brush
ing up" in anticipation of the forthcoming
campaign.
Mr.. Montague has made no engage
ments 10 speak at any particular place
! The matter OF his assignments was placed
| In the hands OF the State Committee i'm
| mediately after his nomination, and
wherever they see fit to send him he
! VIII 20.