Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-20
Communicated
Tldowater Presents tho Claims of
Judge PrentiS.

To the Editor of the Virginian- Pilot:
The Tidewater section OF Virginia, If
the memory of the writer serves him
Alright has never, in the judicial his
tory of the State, received representa-
ton upon the Bench of the Supreme
Court, while all, or nearly all, the other
sections have been favored with that
honor. In view of the fact that this
section pours into the Golfers of the
treasury at Richmond larger revenues
than any other; and when, moreover,
1T is considered that our trade rela-
tons manufacturing and commercial
interests are already largely greater
than those of any other section, and
that they are rapidly multiplying and
increasing with the marvellous growth
OF our beautiful cities and surrounding
country, 1t must be admitted by every
just and fair minded man that his sec
ton should no longer be denied recog
milton. In order. therefore. that the
vast and daily increasing, interests of
this section may be the better subserv-
ed, the good people of Tidewater would
with most respectful Difference. nomi
nate to the Legislature of the Old Do
minion, to fill the vacancy occasioned
by the death of the lamented Judge
RELY, of the Supreme Court. the Hon.
Robt. r. Prentis, the present Judge of
the First Judicial Circuit. All the ele-
ments which distinguish a great and
worthy juriSt he possesses in an emf
nent degree.
He is thoroughly honest and consci-
entiouS, fair and impartial, able, Indus
trious and painstaking. He has neither
friends to reward nor foes to punish:
his whole aim and object seem TO be
right and justice between man and
man; his decisions are models of clear
ness and Soundness. He has the con-
iidence of both lawyer and layman
throughout the entire circuit over
which he presides. He has a decidedly
judicial cast of mind. as though nature
had intended him for the Bench. and
his natural ability has been highly cul-
tivated and strengthened by II superior
Judicial education and training
In speaking of his lineage, It Is only
necessary TO say that on both his pa
ternal and maternal sides. he sprang
from distinguished old Virginia fami-
lies. many of whom had held high DO
sitions in the councils of the State. and
had served their country faithfully in
peace and In war.
In the city of Charlottesville, in the
county Of Albcmarlc. under the classic
shades of the University of Virginia
and near Monticello. the home of the
sage. patriot aud father OF Democracy.
Thomas Jefferson. he nrst saw the
light. AT that great Institution of
learning. in June. 1876 under the in
struction of The famous Prof. John B.
Minor, he won his diploma as Bachelor
OF Law He practiced his profession
with marked success In his native
home from that time until January.
1879. when he removed to the thriving
city OF Norfolk. where he entered into
n co-partncrship with that old war
horse OF Democracy" the able and clo-
quent John Goode who. FOR two terms,
represented the Second District In the
Congress of the United States. That
partnership was continued until No
vember. 1879. AT which time he removed
10 me town OF Suffolk. his present res
llence. and formed n partnership with