Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1911-12-15
JUDGE BUCHANAN
WILL RESIGN COURT

AT the expiration of his present
term of office, Il little more than two
years hence, Judge John Alexander
! Buchanan viii retire from the Sup
RENE Court of Appeals of Virginia.
! He will not he n candidate for re-
election before the General Assembly,
which meets in January, 1914, and
he will lay down the ermine on the
last day of that month.
Ill health alone is, it is understood,
tn cause of this action, which is ex-
pected to cause general regret, for
among jurists and attorneys, Judge
Buchanan has been regarded as one of
tho ablest members of Virginia's
highest court. In the early ,pnrt of
last year he spent some time in
hospital. the treatment resulting in a
recovery and Judge Buchanan resum-
ed his place on the bench. But he
feels. it is believed that the heavy
duties of the judgeship are tax upon
his strength. 1t is expected that he
will retire to his home at Emory,
Washington county, for rest, and
may possibly later resume the prac-
tice of law. Twice Congressman from
the Ninth Virginia District, former
member of the Legislature, for nine
teen years and one month Cat the
time of retiremenD judge of the
Supreme Court, he will take honors
with him to his mountain home. He
was born in Smythe county, about
three miles west of Rural Retreat,
October z, 1S43. After attending the
"iied' schools. he went to tho AGA
deny mt Marion, whence he was call
cd at the outbreak of the War Bet
wecn the States To serve the State
with his musket on his shoulder. He
was private in the Smyth Blues, in
the Stonewall Brigade. Captured mt
Gettysburg he remained in prison un-
til ebruary 1865. being exchanged
and reaching his command just in
time to surrender with Lee at Apo
mattoX.
After the war the family moved.to
Emory, where the young soldierstud-
led and graduated Later he studied
law Mt the University of Virginia,
locating Mt Abingdon. Washington
county. for the practice of his pro-
fession, in 1871. Several partnerships
ensucd and almost from the bcginn-
ing Judge Buchanan took high rank
mt the bar.
In 1877 he entered politics, canvass
ing the district for the Democratic
party. and always thereafter took an
active interest in political affairs. He
was n member of the House of Dele
gates from 1886 to 1887.
While absent in North Carolina in
1888, without solicitation on his
part, he was nominated for Congress
from the Ninth District, against
Henry Bowen, whom he defeated by
majority of $50 on the sole issue of
tariff for revenue only Judge Buch-
anan was re elected in 1890 by n
majority of 1900 over George 4.
Mills. He could have received unani-
nous denomination in 1900 and there
are those who say that had he re-
manned in Congress, the Republicans
Of the Ninth would have long since
ceased to fight, such waa his popular
ity M representative and the hold
he had on the people. But he declin-
,,-ai.::d was succeeded by jam, Wgayv
Marshall,> of Craig, who died "a
days ago.
While in Congress Judge Buchanan
was n member of the Committee Oh
the Judiciary. and made specehea-
which attracted attention. on bank
ruptcy bills, shid subsidy and the
tariff. He resumed the practice of
law. appearing in many famous cases,
notably the "salt works" case, an
other being the murder trial Of DR.. j.
A. p. Baker, OF Abingdon.
In December, 1893. with the pass
ing of the old Readjuster court, Judge
Buchanan was elected by the Legisla-
ture to the Supreme bench, taking his
seat January /, 1895. The new Con-
stitution changed the terms, and at
tie drawing of the lots, Judge Buch-
anan drew the eight-yeur term, which
will cause his retirement of his own
volition, on January 81, 1914.
BY common consent, one seat on the
bench of the Supreme Court goes to
the Southwest. 1t is probable that
the fight for the succession will begin
almost Immediately. Judge Whittle,
whose term axpir44Gsaiazsiary 81 next,
has no opposition.