The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
An Attorney Who is Known as
a Deep Thinker a Bril-
liant Speaker and an
Ardent Democrat.
And Whose Eloquence Was Heard frcm the
Stump in Varioas Counties and With a
Telling Effect Tor White supre-
macy in North Carolina.
macy in North Carolina.

Quiet and unassuming, no one on be-
ing presented to the gentleman in ques-
ton would, unless aware of the fact,
know that in HIM was one of the most
successful lawyers the State has ever
produced. Probably in the history of
North Carolina there Is no more
worthy example of what can be
accomplished by energy, integrity
and well directed efforts, than
is so strikingly exempli6ed in the sue
cessful career of Hon. Frank Shepherd
Spruil, who so ably represented true
Democracy" and white supremacy"
with his natural flow of eloquence in that
memorable campaign of 1898 and who
has alone been instrumental in obtaining
his present proud position before our
people Few men so early in life have
attained the distinction both at the bar
and as Il political speaker, that has been
enjoyed by the subject of our sketch,
who needs no introduction to the people
of this section.
He is a native of the "Old North
State, having been born in Mart .
county in December, 1ool. He was rear
ed in Halifax county, he having removed
there with his parents at very early
age. An excellent education was re-
ceived, the rudiments of which We're had
at the old field school and afterwards
completed at Bingham School and the
University OF North Carolina, where
law and optional course were taken.
Having decided to become A desciple
of Blackstone he was admitted 10 the
bar at the age of p in February, 1853.
and at once began active practice of his
chosen profession at Henderson as a
partner of w. III. Young, which contin-
ued until his removal to this county in
1884 and establishing an office ut Frank
linton as a co-partner Of Judge j. !.
Davis, remaining there until the appoint
ment of Judge Davis to the Supreme
Court bench by Governor Scales. when
he removed to Iouisbirg, where he COLI
tinues to reside, enjoying the full con-
fdence of a large and lucrative Glen
tage.
Mr.. Spruill while he has never sought
political preferment. has had several
positions of trust and honor conferred
upon him by the people and the Demo
cratic party. His first honor was at
the age of D. when he was chosen a
delegate to the National Convention
which met mt ST. Louis and nominated
Grover Cleveland for the Presidency in
1888. Our subject was the youngest
member of that distinguished body and
during its session responded to the toast
of North Carolina and her future.
lie was a member Of the General Assem-
bly, of 1893. and chairman Of the rail
road committee of that body, and as
such had charge of the settlement Of the
long disputed question, az to whether
the Wilmington and Weldon railroad
should be exempt from taxation as had
been provided in its charter. This was
one of the greatest railroad controversies
that has ever come before a general
Assembly Of this State, and when it was
adjusted. brought TO the State taxes to
the amount of $7G.247, and now brings
an annual revenue to the State at the
present Of $4,000.
Mr.. Sprltilfs record in the Assembly
of '93 was such that he was ren0mlnated
for the next session by acclamatlon, but
went down with the Democratic party
in the tidal wave.
Subsequently he was appointed by
Governor Carr as a member of the
board of directors for the penitentiary
and was elected president Of that board,
but in d short time resigned from the
board. and was Immediately appointed
State director of the North Carolina
(. Railroad and while member was the
only one who voted against the 99-year
lease Of that road, with the exception OF
Hon Lee 5. 0yerman. He was next ap-
pointed by President Cleveland as As.
sistant United States District Attorney
in which position he served until the
election Of President Mckinley. and
fhe appointment by him of the present
district attorney. whereupon Mr.. Spruil
Immediately rendered his resignation t.