The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-06-06
BEVERLEY BLAND MUNFoRD
Brilliant Virginia Lawyer Well
Known in Bennington

Brilliant WI HlUd I"WJN' 'N'
Known in Bennington
News has been received here of
the death at Richmond, Va, of Bever-
lev Bland Munford, a brilliant Virgin
ia lawyer and writer, who with his
family passed ten summers at The
Priory" in Bennington Center and
who has a wide circle of acquaintan-
ces in town Mr. Munford's death oc-
Cured May 81 at his residence near
the Virginia capital and was not I'M
expected as he had been in i'll health
for some time.
Although too i'll to engage in active
duties in connection with his profess
sion Mr.. Munford recently completed
his now famous work, "Virginia's At
titude Toward Slavery and Secession
This book exemplifies his devotion to
Virginia and her traditions. 1t has
been wideyl praised by critics in all
parts of the United States and in
England. It was dictated while Mr.
Munford lay upon his sick bed. Yet
it shows a wonderful grasp OF detail
and the result of brilliant mind.
"Virginias Attitude Toward Slav-
cry and Secession was welcomed by
historians as a distinct addition to
Southern literature. Besides this II
is an unanswerabe defense OF Vir-
ginia's attitude toward an institution
in connection with which she has
been misrepresented.
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 admit
ted TO the bar opening his office al
/ Pittsylyania Courthouse. He soon at
tanned success in his profession.
In the fall OF 1881 though only q
years old he was elected to the leg
I islature from Pittsylyania county. He
was reelected in 1883 and again in
/ 1855, leading the ticket each time.
In the memorable contest between
John $. Barbour and Major John w.
4 Daniel for the United States Senate
Mr. Munford was one Of Major Dan
iel's leaders. After the indorsement
/ of the caucus had been secured he
was selected to nominate Major Dan
/ Tel before the legislature. His
speech on that occasion was fire.
quently commented upon for its elo-
quence
In 1884 Mr.. Munford was the pres
idential elector on the Cleveland and
| Hendricks ticket He was chairman
of the Judiciary committee OF the
House in 1855. In the gubernatorial
contest between Mckinney and Ma
hone in 1889 Mr. Munford at the re-
quest OF the Democratic leaders,
wrote a review OF the legislation and
attempted legislation OF 1881 and
1882 which was printed and widely
distributed under the heading Ma
honeism Unveiled 1t was the most
valuable campaign document In that
political contest.
Again in 1889 Mr. Munford was
elected 10 the legislature this time
from Richmond He was made chair
man OF the Finance Committee of the
House and of the special Joint com
mitteo ON the settlement OF the state
debt. Probably his most notable
service TO the state was as chairman
of the Finance committee which adj
iusted the debt question. He devoted
himself with untiring energy TO this
work lie made himself master OF
every detail and his speech In pres
entmg the Olcott settlement TO the
House was n most concise and lucid
statement
Mr. Munford was temporarily chair
man OF the gubornatorlGl convention
Of 1893 His address In opening the
convention was such an able cXposi
ton OF the principles OF The Democra
tic party that Il was printed by the
committee and distributed through
out the state as campaign docu
mont
Mr. Munlord was always a careful
student of public questions In pub
he and private life he was noted for
the completeness with which he mas
tered every subject undertaken by
him and the ability with which he ap
piled the information to the accom-
pllshmont OF practical results lie
was especially interested In labor
problems lie was o believer In or
ganizcd labor. and favored proper
laws for the improvement OF labor
conditions.
Despite the many calls upon Mr.
Nunford's time as a lawyer IN active
practice. he was enabled to give at
teuton to business and educational
interests In the city and state He
had been president OF the South At
lantic Life Insurance company direc