The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-12
President Sends Nomi-
nation Of Richmond
Man to Senate.
WILL RAISE POST
TO HIGHER RANK.
Former Lieutenant Governors
Appointment Is Acceptable to
Government at Madrid-New
Minister to Take Up II
His Duties During =
Summer.

Colonel Joseph E. Willard. former
Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia, was
yesterday appointed minister to spain
by President Wilson, the nomination
being sent to the Senate late in the
day for confirmation. It was an
nounced from the White House several
weeks ago that Colonel Willard would
be named. although the formal nom
inaton was not made until assurances
wero received from Madrid that 1t
would be acceptable. There was no
doubt on that point however for the
new minister was presented to King
Alfonso few years ago, and the selcc-
ton is personally pleasing TO His
Majesty. AS soon the Senate has
acted. Colonel Willard will go to
Washington for his credentials, and 1T
is expected that he will start for Mad
rid before the end of the summer
The bill nov pending In Congress to
raise the post in Spain to an ambas-
sadorship has already passed the SEN
ate and Is not opposed In the House.
Its enactment means that Colonel VIII
lard will take tho same rank as
Thomas Nelson Page, who was sent as
amba ssador TO Italy. from Virginia.
During the first Cleveland admins
tration DR.. J. l. NJ. Curry. a distin-
guished educator, was minister TO
Spain. Colonel Willard being the sec
pilu Nltu lTolil iNlCU1nOnd TO mold thaL
honor
EIns Had Brilliant Career.
Colonel Willard is one OF the best
known men in public life in Virginia.
AS member Of the House of Dele
gates, as an officer in the Spanish
American War, Licutenant-iov-
ernor OF Virginia. and as a member OF
the state Corporation Commission, he
measured up to the highest ideals OF
citizenship, giving freely OF time and
means to public movements for the up
building of the Commonwealth. Re-
signing FROM the Corporation Commits
sion about three years ago, he has
made his home in Richmond. main
tainng a handsome country place In
Fairfax County. He is president OF
the Jefferson Hotel Company and the
Bank Of Commerce and Trusts of this
city, and also president and one OF
the largest stockholders in the Rich
mond and Rappahannock hallway
Company, line now in course Of con-
struction to connect Richmond with
the rich Northern Neck section. now
entirely cut OFF from railway communi-
cation from the res; of the state.
When bulletins were received carly
yesterday Indicating that President
Wilson had forwarded Colonel Will
lards name to the Senate minister
TO Spain. the appointec was out on an
Inspection TRIP on the new rallrOlu, OF
which he is president.
Born In Washington.
Colonel willard was born in Wash
inston, D. G.. May !. 500. just in the
turbulent days which marked the
close OF the Civil War His father was
Major Joseph X. Willard. OF Wash
ington. who held commission in the
Federal army. His mother was Miss
Antonia j. Ford OF Fairfax County.
,rb
during the war brought her into
trouble with the Washington authori-
ties
Colonel willard was educated at the
Episcopal High School at Alexandria,
At the Virginia Military Institute. and
graduated in the law school of the
University or Virginia He began the
practice OF law in Fairfax County.
ana shortly following his graduation
was elected n member of the House
OF Delegates from that county. serving
for fOur terms in the lower branch OF
the General Assembly.
Equipped His Company.
At the outbreak of the spanish
American war in !SoS. Colonel Willard
became captain OF Company |. Third
Virginia Regiment, which was com
posed almos, entirely OF young men
OF Fairfax County The company was
fully equipped at Colonel WIZARDS
personal expense, and was in com
mission at Camp Algcr throughout the
war Later in the war Colonel Willard
was appointed on the staff of Major
General Fitzhugh Lee. then on duty
in Cuba After the close OF hosti'ities.
ne became a member of the staff OF
Governor j. Hoge Tyler.
Colonel Willard Was nominated as
Lieutenant Governor by the last
nominating convention held by the
Democratic party in this state. run
ming on the ticket with Governor
Andrew Jackson Montague. with whom
he served for four years. during which
time he presided over the long par-
lament" tho extraordinary session
OF the General Assembly following the
adoption OF the new Virginia Consti-
tuition
Candidate for Governor.
In the hrst Statewide primary held
in Virginia for Governor Colonel VIII
lard ran in n three cornered hight with
state Senator William II Mann. now
Governor OF Virginia. and Representa-
tive Claude a. Swanson. now United
states Senator. Senator Swanson won
the nomination. and was succeeded
four years later by his former oppon-
ent. Governor Mann. shortly after that
contest Colonel Willard was appointed
as n member of the State Corporation
succeeding Henry Fair
fax. resigned.
In order fully to qualify himself for
the duties of this position. Coionei VIII
lard disposed OF large railroad hold
ings During the greater part OF tho
time he was on the commission ne
was associated with Judge Beverly T.
Crump and Henry c. Stuart. during tho
years in which the commission was
laying down the preccdents which have