The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-01

| Frank Williams, Or. Stuart MCGUIRE
Judge r. Carter Scott. Judge John III.
| ingram. Henry T. wickham. Preston
Cooke. Judge George L. Christian,
| Judge L. L. Lewis. S. S. p. Patteson.
John Pickrell, DR.. II. B. Frissell. John
f. Glenn, Judge Daniel Grinnan,
| Thomas N. Carter. Captain W. Gordon
McCabe. William n. White, Col. Arch
| or Anderson.
Sketch of His Career.
! Mr.. Munford was born in Richmond
in 1857. He was the son of the late
Colonel John D. Munford, and grand :
son of William Munford, OF Richmond,
author of Munford's Reports whose
translation of Homer's Had is noted
for its accuracy and purity.
Mr. Munford's childhood was spent
on a farm near Williamsburg. He was
educated at William and Mary Col
lege. AT the age OF nineteen years, his
father having died, he accepted a
clerkship in the office of the late
Judge j. D. Coles. of Pittsylvania
county. where he began the study of
law. He completed his law studies at
the University of Virginia under Prof
John B. Minor. and was admitted to
the bar. opening his Office at Pittsyl-
vania Courthouse He soon attained
In the fall of 1851 though only
twenty-four years old. he was elected
to the Legislature from Pittsylvania
county He was reelected in 1883 and
again in 1855. leading the ticket each
time. In the memorable contest he
tween John s. Barbour and Major
John w. Daniel for the United States
Senate. Mr.. Munford was one of Ma
jor Daniels leaders. After the in
dorsement of the caucus had been Sc
cured he was selected to nominate Ma
jor Daniel before the Legislature. His
speech on that occasion was frequent
ly commented upon for its eloquence.
Great Campaign Document.
In 1854 Mr.. Munford was the presi-
Dental elector on the Cleveland and
Hendricks ticket. He was chairman
of the Judiciary Committee of the
House in 1885. In the gubernatorial
contest between Mckinney and Ma
hone in 1883, Mr.. AIunford. at the re-
quest of the Democratic leaders,
wrote review of the legislation and
attempted legislation of 1851 and 1852,
tributed under the heading, Malone
ism Unveiled" 1t was the most valu-
able campaign document in that poll
teal contest
During the year 1854, in the cleo
toral college. Mr.. Munford met the
late Judge Waller r. Staples who was |
elector-at-large, and later as member
OF the special joint committee OF the
Legislature to review the work of |
the revisers OF the Code. he was asso-
ciated with Judge Staples constantly.
This association resulted in a warm
friendship and determination on the
part OF both to remove to Richmond |
and establish co-partnership for the
practice Of law. The firm Of Staples
& Munford was established in Rich
large and lucrative practice, the part
nership being terminated by the death
Of Judge Staples.
Again IN 1889 Mr.. AIunford was
elected to the Legislature, this time
from Richmond. He was made chair
man of the Finance Committee Of the
House. and OF the special joint COM
mittee on the settlement OF the State
debt. Probably his most notable serv-
Ice to the State was as chairman of
the Finance Committee, which adjust
ed the debt question. He devoted him
self with untiring energy to this
work. He made himself master of ev-
cry detail, and his speech In present |
lnS lne OlcOtt settlement TO the House
was a most concise and lucid state
ment III
Strong Party Worker.
Mr.. Munford was temporary chair
man of the gubernatorial convention
Of 1898. His address in opening the
was such an able eXposi-
ton of the principles of the Demo-
cratic party that 1t was printed
by the committee and distributed
throughout the State as a campaign
document He led the opposition in
the stanton convention of 1896 to
The adoption of the platform which
would commit the party to the free
coinage of silver at a ratio of 16 to 1.
Believing that the maintenance of the
integrity OF the Democratic party or
ganization was matter of paramount
Importance, he accepted the decision
IF the majority OF the convention and
voted for Bryan for President.
Mr.. Munford was always careful
student of public questions. In public
md private life he was noted for the
with which he mastered
avery subject undertaken by him and
The ability with which he applied the
Information to the accomplishment of
practical results. He was especially Fl
Interested In labor problems. He was