The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-08
mo. J7o
JOHN RANDOLPH TUCKER.

JOHN RANDOLPH TUCKER.
John Randolph Tucker. of Virginia.
was the grandson of st. George Tucker
and the son OF Henry st. George Tuck
or. celebrated names in the annals OF
the state. His paternal grandmother
was Frances Boiling Bland, the daugh-
ter of Tl,eolerick Bland. of Prince
George county. Va. At the time she
became the wife of st. George Tucker
She was the widow of John Randolph
and the mother of John Randolph of
Roanoke. The subject OF the present
sketch married Laura Holmes Powell.
or Loudouns county
Mr.. Tucker was born on December
2:. 1928. and died at his home. In Lex
ington. Va, on February 10. 1897, hon
ored and beloved By all who knew him.
In early life he attended private
school in Winchester. Va until his
father removed to Richmond city. and
there he attended an academy until
1885. AT the age of fifteen he entered
as an academic student the University
OF Virginia. AT the age of sixteen he
graduated In pure mathematics under
Professor Bonnyeastle. where he re-
manned until after Ills graduation in
1914. when he was admitted to the bar
Ee was presidential elector In 1862
and again in 1856. and in 1855 can
vassed the state in opposition to the
Rnow-Nothing party. at which time
he was chosen as Attorney General of
Virginia. and continued to serve in that
capacity until civil government was
ended by the military power in 1865.
Counsel for Mr.. Davis.
When President Davis was prose-
cuted for high treason in the United
States District Court at Richmond, Mr..
Tucker appeared in his defense with
Charles O'Connor, OF New York. and
other attorneys. After the termination
of the war he removed to the county
of Loudoun. and. forming d co-part-
norship with Burr P. holland. lie prac-
.ticed his profession most successfully.
and was employed In several important
cases. AS a teacher of law Mr.. Tucker
was pre-eminent and has made a great
impression on his students throughout
the land. In 1874 as I have already
stated he was elected to Congress
from the Tenth Virginia District, and
five times unanimously renominated
ard elected. He was strict construc-
ZIONIST of the Federal Constitution, and
believed in strict adherence to it's
provisions wise economy IN eNpendi-
lures. tariff for revenue only. oppo-
sition To internal revenue taxation in
treasury. a sound and stable currency.
justice to all and favors to none. Upon
retiring from Congress In 1857, Mr.
Tucker practiced law in Washingto
city until 1889, when. at the request Of
the trustees OF Washington and Lee
University. he accepted one of the
chairs of law at that school, and faith
fully performed his duties as long as
he lived.
T -,
ncctlon to state that during the forma-
stion of the electoral commission. it
having been animated to the Virginia
delegation in Congress by members OF
tho Democratic caucus that the state
might DO honored with place on the
commission, provided we could agree
on a candidate to be presented. I'VE were
unable to decide between General EppA
Hunton and John Randolph Tucker;
whereupon 1t was determined that the
matter should be decided by lot. BEN
to hold the straws. and Hunton was the
winner. II is well known that as a
member of the commission he digni-
fed and adorned the high station. villa
Mr.. Tucker rendered valuable and con-.
spicuous service before the commission.
and fully sustained his great reputa-
tion as an eloquent lawyer and learned
advocate.
The Authors Tribute.
When the Virginia state Bar Asso-
citation met at the Hot Springs, in vir-
glnia. at its ninth annual meeting,
was called upon To submit some re-
marks upon the life and character Of
the late Judge Burks. of Virginia, a
number of the Supreme Court of APP
ipeals. ana Mr.. Randolph Tucker, After
concluding what had 10 say IN regard
to Judge Burks, / concluded as follows.
II cannot sit down without saying a
word about my friend. Ran. Tucker, as
lie was Familiarity called. The name
in the annals of Virginia and In the
memory of her people. 1t is
lone OF the few, the Immortal names,
That were not born to die.
"Whether we consider him as prac-
ticing attorney, as a. professor OF law,
as a. statesman, as popular orator,
or as a. humorist, we are Allied with ad :
mlration for the variety OF his gifts
and the versatility OF his genius. AS a
lawyer his fame is co-eXtensive not
only with tho limits of Virginia, but
OF the Union Itself. AS Attorney Gem
oral OF the state for three successive
terms, during most eventfnl period
OF our history, he not only measured
Office, but shed additional lustre upon
| 1t by the hrilliancy of his genius and
the extentEof his learning,
"As attorney before the Supreme
Court offthe United states In the caaes
I to which my friend has referred
lspies VS.. Illinois; In 'ryler's case, and
notably In the case of Cooper VS.. Marye
-.-he exeited the profound admiration
OF the court and OF the bar<for his CON.
lprehensive learning, his accura cy 81
statement. his power of nalysls. and hi