Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-16

j. r. Cation,
Alexandria, Va Democratic Candidate for Lieu
tenant Governor.
where he practices before fIIe courts.
James r. Cation is native of Fairfax
county, Va, where he was born on the 9Th
day of February. 1851. When he was about
four wears of age his parents removed to
Alexandria, and he has since made his home
there. His early school training consisted
of about three years in the old St Johns
Academy at Alexandria under Father
Carne, well-known Virginia educator and
in the school taught by Mr.. John s. Beach,
present clerk of the city courts. When the
civil war broke out he left school and be-
came newsboy, carrier for the local pa
per, and having most of his trade among
the soldiers stationed in the various forts
surrounding this city.
After the close of the war. while still
youth. he entered the clerks Office of the
Alexandria city court as a messenger. Be-
coming deputy clerk and later acting clerk,
he left the office after eleven years service
to become deputy treasurer of the city,
tered into an active practice of law. In 1880
he took up the study of law in the Ma
uonal University of Washington, and grad
uated with the highest honors.s
Mr.. Cation has always been stanch
democrat and has served the party and his
home city in. various capacities. In 1850 he
was appointed commemorative attorney to
fill an unexpired term, and while so en-
gagged had prominent part in several
notable criminal cases. For a number of
years he was clerk of the common council.
and for two terms represented the third
ward as councilman. For eight years dur
ing the readjustiye period he was secretary
of the city democratic committee, and for
four years served in the capacity of chair
man.
Elected to Legislature.
When the democratic convention met in
Roanoke in 1897 Mr. Cations name was pre-
sented for the second place on the demo-
cratic ticket and without any previous cam
vass he received nearly one-third of the
total vote. In 1899 he was elected to the
house of delegates to represent Alexandria
city and county. He served two terms as
delegate and made an enviabie record as a
hard and conscientious worker in commit
tee rooms and on the floor of the house.
He entered upon his legislative duties just
at the time of the adoption of the new con-
stitution, when the laws of the state of
Virginia were in a state of chaos. With
five other members of the general assem-
bly,. all men of marked legal ability. he was
appointed upon committee to revise the
statutes and bring them into conformity
with the new constitution. While upon this
committee he worked indefatigably and
drafted many of the most important meas
ures which were reported. While a mem
Der of the general assembly he became the
author and patron of many well-known
pieces of legislation among the most prom
lnent being the new confederate pension
law, which almost doubled the appropriation
for disabled confederate veterans and for
the widows of the confederate soldiers: the
law compelling separate seating of the races
on electric car lines; the law concerning
corporations; the provisions governing pub
lie service corporations; the state insur-
ance laws; the employers liability act: the
banking bill and the statutes putting into
effect the constitutional provisions creating
a corporation commission.
M eaton has for several years held a
leading place among the attorneys of the
state He has taken part in many impor-
tant Ht1gat1ons, particularly in this sec
ton, and has practiced successfully In the
supreme court of the state and I'm the
United States courts. His knowledge of
admiralty law, evidenced particularly in
suits before the United States court for
the eastern district of Virginia has won
for him the reputation of being an author
tty on that subject.
Mr.. Cations services to the state as q
member of the legislative committee
charged with the revision of the state laws
to conform to the new constitution has
been highly appreciated all over Virginia
His selection for that important work was
a testimonial to his ability. and the manner
In which he performed his services gave
much satisfaction, especially to his fellow
townsmen.
Assurances of Support.
Upon the announcement of his candidacy
Tor the democratic nomination for lieuten-
ant governor, Mr.. Cation received hearty
assurances of support first in his home
town and then from practically every Sec
ton or the commonwealth. He took an
active part IN the presidential campaign
last rail-. stamping his district for the DEM
ocratic ticket. His name was constantly
mentioned by other speakers in political
meetings as the next lieutenant governor Of
virginia, and the applause with which
the reference was received gave evidence
of his popular ity
Until the advent of Mr. j. Taylor Ely
son of Richmond, chairman of the state
nomination, 1t was generally stated that Mr.
Cation had by far the best chances of ali
the candidates In the field for the position
But in Mr.. Ellyson the Alexandria candi-
date recognized formidable antagonist.
and 1t was at once apparent that a much
harder fight than was at first expected
would develop over the second place on
the ticket. Mr.. Cation had carefully or
ganized his supporters In many parts Of
the state. and. encouraged by the counsel
and assurance of his friends, he continued
the campaign with much energy. ANNOUNCE
ing and reiterating that he was in the race
to the end Mr.. Catons friends In this seq
ton have rallied heartily to his support, and
In the past few days he has received assur-
ances which have encouraged him to press
the canvass with all his energies
The high character. legal abilities and
amiable disposition of the Alexandria cam
didate have won him the well wishes Of his
Acknowledgement.
His home life has been the subject OF adj
miration and favorable comment among the
people of that city. Mr. Cation Is known
as devoted husband and father, q man
who loves his family. his home and his
home town. He has three grown sons
DR.. William Cation OF Fairfax, Police Jus
tice Harry b. Cation and Mr.. ]. Randall
Cation OF Alexandria. Both of the latter
aSq0cfQfad with "a fv.< ySn
tice OF law. Mr.. Cation has pleasant rest
dence on North Columbus street In the Viz
gtnia city.