The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-07-27

pose.
JUDGE SAnB. WITT
STRICKEN BY DEATH
Continued From F'rst Page.>
there has s'nce been little change IN
the Est from year to year.
One Famous Case.
In all matters affecting elections the
Judge Of the Hastings court has mani
fold duties. and a famous decision Of
Judge Witt, later Upheld by the Su
prene Court, constituting tile elective
clause OF the new state Constitution.
in which Judge Witt held tina; no
young man who had just become TWEEN
,y-cne years Of age could be denied
tho right to vote because his taxes
had not been assessed and paid six
months previously. as is required OF
other voters. has had Widespread cf-
feet on subsequent elections in which
IL has come to be recognized that
the young man vote often holds the
balance OF power
Judge Samuel BrowN Witt was
son OF the widely known "Parson"
Witt noted Baptist minister Of
Prince Edward county His father was
an intimate friend u the late Dr.
Jeter. DR.. John a Broadus ana other
leaders Of the Baptist denomination
OF I generation back. Ills mother
was Miss Nary Ellen Garl.ck lie
would have been siXty-one years or
axe on September c.
After common school education IN
Prince Edward county. Judge witt
came 10 Richmond and took both acad-
em!c and law courses At Richmond
College. lie was a brilliant student
ard was one OF the most popular men
OF his class, among his classmates be-
ing Rev. r. H. PITT u. D.. now editor
Of the Religious Herald, ana Charles
V. Meredith. At one time City Alter
ney, and now q distinguished attor-
ney OF K!chmond
Bcginn Law Practice.
After graduating from the Rich
mond College law school Judge
Witt began the practice Of
his profession p Richmond in partner
ship with James Caskie. who had been
one OF his schoolmates. the partner
ship Of Witt & Caskie continuing until
his elevation to the bench. From early
manhood untll his accession 10 the
bench he was active IN politics. lie
had gifts as d mixer with ali kinds
Of people, and was an orator and de-
batter OF note attracting attention
throughout the state by his services 10
the Democratic party during the stormy
days Of the Malone ReadJuster cam
patgn In 1873 he was elected 10 the
House OF Delegates, where he served
one term.
When George D. Wise, Common
wealth's Attorney FOR many years. was
elected 10 Congress from this district,
Judge George l.. Christian. who then
presided on tine bench OF the Hastings
Court appointed Judge Witt as COM
monwealth's Attorney to hn the I'M
expired term Ne was several times
reelected. serving as Commonwealth
Attorney during the term of Judge
Atkins, who was elected by the Read
juster Legislature TO succeed Judge
Christian.
y few years later Judge Wi,t sue
ceeded Judge Atkins. receiving the
nomination as judge OF the Hastings
Court al tho hands of the bar OF the
city by large majority He had
never since had opposition. having been
only recently reelected by the GEN
eral Assembly for another term
Able and Upright Judge.
An able ANA fearless lawyer and an
upright judge. his decisions have sell
dom been reversed. ana the peculiar
nature OF the Quasi-civil as well as
judicial duties imposed on the judge
of the Hastings Court gave him an or
por;unity 10 stamp his individuality
on the morality of the city probably
to a larger degree than any official
now In the service. He enjoyed a wide
personal acquaintance. ana n great
ins ght into human nature. and had IN
addition an intimate and of hand
KNOWLEDGE OF the law As Common
wealths Attorney he insusuratod the
! practice now common throughout tho
State OF using his discretion in r.
! semi judicial manner, prosecuting
vigorously where he believed the ac-
cusod guilty, hut where he was not
| himself fully convinced of guilt. mov-
/ ing the court TO discharge the pris-
onor.
ON the bench he lnaueuratod "a
practice which las in recent years
made Virginia famous for prompt exc
cution OF Justice. and for the enforce
ment of law against criminals. his
course. followed throughout tile state.
! having practically put an end 20
/ lynchine JIM Virginia. The precedent
i was in The case of a negro. Joe Fif..
/ charged with assault and against
whom there was much popular feel
ing ana many threats. Judge Wit
! impanoled a spccial grand jury. the
! negro was indicted. tried convicted
and sentenced, Jury being brought
here from iynchlWrg. ana despite the
utmost dilatory efforts Of his coun-
sol the negro was hnngcd thirty days
after the day of his sentence
I'm dealing with the criminal classes
Judge Witt was firm. hnt kindly ON
account Of his knowledge of the law
/ and ~ human nature. it has no, been
! infreduent In recent years for attor-
ncys practicng in his court to waive
trial hy Jury aud by consent of both
sides submit the whole ease 10th as
10 law and TACT 10 the decision Of