The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04

half a dozen years, rivalled his. Jeffer-
son has had far greater influence in the
nation, but Jefferson was in public life
for forty years, and occupied every
coign of vantage.
Archibald ID. Murphey, the Admirable
Crichton of North Carolina, was born
in Caswell county in 1777, and was gradu
ated from the University of North Caro-
lima lin 1899. After his graduation, he
taught at the University for three years.
He studied law at Hillsboro under Will
liam Duffy, from whom he learned some
law and 1.-The difficult art of reading
books to advantage" For time he was
Supreme Court reporter. In 1872 he was
elected to the State Senate from Orange
county, and remained member of that
body until 1918, when he resigned to ac-
cept the position of Judge of the Superior
Court. In two years he resigned the
judgeship, and resumed the practice of
law. Governor Branch, in announcing the
resignation to the General Assembly, re-
fers to Judge Murphey as "a gentleman as
highly esteemed for his private virtues
as for his able and disinterested devo-
ton to the best interest of the country"
He visited the Legislature of Tennessee
for the purpose of adjusting some land
claims Of the University. In 1926 he was
made the beneficiary of a lottery, the
poceeds of which were to be used in the
preparation and publication of a history
of North Carolina on which he was at
work. A lottery was popularity considered
in those good old days a means of grace.
So far as is known. the drawing never
took place. and the history was never
written. brief account of the Indian
wars was printed, and may now be found
in volume five of the University Maya
zine.
1t has often been said that he visited
the schools of Europe in 1877 between
the date of his first and second report
on education. but where is the evidence
OF such a journey?
His last days were clouded by reason of
debt and ill-health. He died in 1892 The
late Mrs. B. G. Worth. of Wilmington
was his granddaughter; Mrs. E. e. Mof
nit and Mrs. w. H. Bagley of this city
are the granddaughters of his sister.
MURPHEY'S PLANS FOR BUILDING UP
A STATE.
He recommended an annual appropria
ton of $3.50 for the purchase of books
for the public library. Senate Journal.
December "a. 1850
The resolution was adopted, and. ten
years later, the annual appropriation
was increased to $780, at which figure it
remaineth to this day
COLONIAL AND STATE RECORDS.
At Judge Murphey's instance the Cen
eral Assembly petitioned the office of the
Board of Trade and Plantations in Lon
don to permit copies to be made there
OF documents relating to our colonial
history. Up to his day, not even the acts
OF the General Assembly were bound but
he changed all that
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
He proposed to publish "a work en-
bracing views of the climate, soil geo
logy, mineralogy, moral and political
character, State of society and of litera-
ture of Moth Carolina"
No one can question his eminent fitness
for the work. and all must regret his
inability to execute his noble plan.
CONSTITUTIONAL. CONVENTION.
He proposed a constitutional conven-
ton. primarily to correct inequality in
representation in the General Assembly.
but also to reduce the number of repre-
sentatives, to raise the age requisite to
membership, and to lengthen the term
of office of the legislator. Senate Jour-
nal December "a, 1850 The proposition
was rejected at the time but this seems
-sAom Gun 10 Su!uuIssq eql ueoq sAe4 o.