The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-08-25
End Came Suddenly at
Home Of His Daughter
in New Jersey.
FUNERAL HERE
ON TU Els D A Y
Former Editor of Richmond
Times Had Distinguished Ca
reer in Law-Once Snubbcd
President Cleveland During
Readjuster Fight-Won
Great Victory in Court.


the Richmond Times distinguished
lawyer and prominent nsuro in the
politics Of the Readjustor period. died
Of $50 o'clock yesterday morning in
Avon y. j., the seaside nome OF his
dauShter, Mrs Bsrker 9 HamnI. Of
Trenton He was six'y-eight years old
md had ban IN deciinng health all
syi-mer
News ~ MS death reached the city
Yesterday afternoon in telegram
from W J. Royal. Or NE is survived
hy his widow. VINO lives at 1915 West
Franklin street. and three daughters.
Mrs Hamin. OF Trenton \ j.. Miss
Anne Royal Miss Emily Royal. and
one son. William ROYAL. jr.. Of this
city. The funeral VIII take place in
Richmond on TUESDAY
Thc death OF Mr. Royal removes
from the life Of the city one OF the
ablcs, mon OF the State.
Although failing health had dur
ius tho past few years caused his
partial retirement from Nie active
practice OF law. he was sim intimate
Is identified with many phases o. his
profession. His sudden death was re-
ceived BY the whole membership Of
the city bar with tho greatest sur
prise ana Drought SFl'l 10 AhI , y
number Of friends.
WAS Unique Figure.
The history OF Mr.. T:oyslls life and
achievements reads like chapter
from a post bellum romance. Born Of
distinguished Virginia iamily in
1874. he enlisted In the Confederate
army q, the age of seventeen to take
part in the struggle between the
states. serving throughout the war as
. 81
indifferent education largely through
his own efforts nc settled down in
1865 TO the practice OF law in this
city, leaving his profession at the
end OF . few years 10 publish the
"Commonwealth." an anti Readjustcr
newspaper.
The newspaper venture proved disas-
trous. and he moved TO New York.
where ne practiced law for four years.
In 1854 he returned to Richond to
open a sensational eiGht-year sight In
restrain the State OF Virginia. then
dominated by the Readiuster party.
from repudiating s45.0oo.oe0 Of its in
dehtedness. representing public i'm
provement bonds held largely BY Eng
lish bankers
Fought stare singIe-Hnnded.
As counsel FOR the Virgin!an Com
rlittee of the Council OF English Bond
holders MI Royal waEed single
handed nrht against a sovereign State
which attracted the attention OF the
entire country. The whole machinery
Of State government was arraigned
against him. as well as the public sen
timent of the day.
He carried the nsht from the courts
OF the Commonwealth to the United
y l.
Supreme Court of the United States
upon the floor of which. ii is said. he
appeared more often than any other
lawyer in the country. The struggle
lasted eight years. at the end OF which
time. in 1892. the Olcott settlement ef-
fected a permanent adjustment of the
State debt and gave Mr. Royal mag
niicent victory.
snubbed President Cleveland
An incident illustrating Mr.. Royals
unassaiiable integrity is related by
Captain y. b. Guigon. who. as n young
lawyer. was for I'VE years associated
with him in his practice. II occurred
when the bondholdcrs' tight was at its
hottest and was threatening 10 destroy
the integrity Of the State Democratic
party. The Democrats. through an al
lance with the Readjusters, we're in
control OF the State government. and
were lighting the English bondholders
The assaults upon the State. made BY
Mr.. Royal as counsel for the bondhcld.
ers. threatened TO cause break in the
Democratic party and to impair the
strength of Mr.. Cleveland. VINO was
then President for the first time.
At the height OF the struggle. Mr.
Royal received u letter from j Ran
dolph Tucker. father OF Harry st
George Tucker, who was a representa-
tive in Congress. asking him. in the
name OF President Cleveland. to come
to Washington at once on important
business. The request was clearly an
overture on the part of the President
and 1T was interpreted to moan that
Mr.. Cleveland was prepared to give Mr.
Royal an important post in the gov
eminent service in order to remove the
most dangerous ngure from the bond
holder suit which was threatening 10
disrupt the party.
Mr. Royal acted at once Without a
moments delay he wrote to Congress
man Tucker. expressing the creates,
Difference to Mr.. Cleveland. He knew
of no business. however. he wrote Mr.
Tucker. which was important enough
TO demand his presence In Washington
at that time. and If President CLEVELAND
wanted him to come he would FIRST
have to state the nature of the bust
ness upon which he wished to consult
him. Mr.. Cleveland mado no further
overtures.
Tribute From Captain GuIson.
Among those who were deepest nf.
fected by the death of Mr.. Royal was
Captain Ctoigon. who for 1--WE years was
associated with him in his law prac-
tice. and who had been n lifelong
friend.
IT am greatly distressed at tho news
of Mr.. Royals DEATH" said Captain