The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-17
Leading Virginian Pre-
fers to Practice His
Profession.
NOT COMING BACK
TO LEGISLATURE
Has Presided Over House Three
Terms-Finds Political Life
Costly-Author of Many I'm
portant Measures and
Power in State
Politics.

With the adjournment of the Ma
tional Democratic Convention in Bal
t!more, where he VIII be leader of
the Woodrow Wilson forces from Vir-
GINA. Richard Evelyn Byrd a fore
most figure in the public life OF vir-
GINA. will retire from the political
arena in this state He announces
that he will under no circumstances
be a capdidate for recollection to the
House of Deleg ates, and will. as a
result. lay down the pavel of the
Speaker of the House, which he has
welded for the past three sessions
of that body
Like many another man. Mr.. Byrd
has found that politics does not pay
Further. he has learned that the time
and attention given 10y him to the
political game has been disastrous TO
his professional work interfering TO
4 large degree with his practice of
law. Wherefore, md ing that he can
termined to give up politics and prac-
tice law.
As Author of Inwn.
The announcement of the retirement
of but few other men in the public
eye in Virginia would attract so much
interest. Speaker Byrd has not been
satisfied with the honor of presiding
e.
but has always taken a leading part
in the inception and adoption of new
legislation. Many measures bearing
the stamp of his authorship are now
on the statute books Of the State. ana
many others are the result of cam
paigns conducted by him and OF tho
help he has extended IN conference.
m committee. or in debate on the
floor
Mr.. Byrd's position as Speaker has
given him a commanding position in
the matter of ma king new laws Be-
Eides. he is always close observer OF
current events, and sees the needs of
the times. So it happens that he is at
each session the patron OF measures
designed TO fill what he thinks a pub
lie want.
His help as debater is always Gag
erly sought and is counted upon as
the equivalent of good many votes
in the House of Delegates. His posi-
ton in the councils of the party has
put him in toucb with the political
situation as it is. and altogether he
/ mas been regarded as power in Vir-
sinia politics.
Costs Him Too Much.
But he has had enough. OF course.
In the years TO come. when he has
| made enough money by hard work to
afford TO play politics the attractions
OF the game may lure him again. But
he has made up his mind to retire at
! once. and says that his determination
In this respect Will not be shaken. He
loves politics. but prefers to make a
living.
| Always he has had opposition for
the Democratic nomination for the
House from his district. composed of
rederick county and the city OF
| Winchester. These fights have demand
| ed some attention on his part, taking
| him from the practice OF law. Then.
as Speaker. the demands upon his time
are practically constant between the
| November election and the converting
! of the Legislature in the succeeding
January. The legislative session means
sixty days OF sold work, with no
chance to do anything else
| Four or five months out OF two
years mean too big a slice out of a
mans professional life, in his iudg-
ment. AT least. they mean too much
| for him.
Came to Front Mt Once.
! Richard Evelyn Byrd has served
| four terms in the House Of Delegates
of Virginia. He had for years been
successful practicing attorney Of
Winchester, but had not been iarrely
identified with politics When he was
| first elected to the House. in 1909
he came 10 the front Immediately. The
usual custom OF priority in service
was disregarded and Mr. Byrd was
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