The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-18
HIRAM NJ. SMITH
SUCCEEDS TALLEY
Richmond Lawyer Receives Com
mission as Assistant Dis
trict Attorney.
GEIsHleHEER ZIG d. PLACE LATER -!
We'll Understood That He Will
Succeed Groncr as District
Attorney.
GEIsHtgLG;HEER PLACE q: LATER

Hiram NJ. Smith, one OF the best
known and most popular OF the young
er members of the Richmond bar. was
yesterday appointed assistant United
states district attorney for the East
ern District. of Virginia. his commits
sion having been signed by Attorney
General McReynolds. He succeeds
Robert H.. Tallcy, resigned. and will
enter upon his new duties within the
next, few days
The appointment is OF unusual in
terest in view of the recent statement
In Tho Times-Dispatch that Mr.. Smith
VIII later be named as United Statos
district attorney. lie had no, opposi-
tion for the position Of assistant at
torncy. and il is generally accepted in
political circles that he will succeed
District Attorney Groner. Mr.. Groner
has about three years to serve, al
though the attitude OF the administra-
ton IN regard to long term commits
sions now held by Republicans has
not been fully determined. He has
only been in office since August. 1912
Mr.. Smith. who is a law graduate OF
the University of Virginia. has been
Il practicing attorney at the local bar
since June, 1907, and in that time he
has demonstrated his ability, espe-
cially In handling criminal cases He
ts only twenty eight years old. a fact
which adds distinction to the honor
he has already received and the higher
honor he is expected to receive from
the Federal government. He is tho
son of II. NJ. Smith, Jr.. ono Of the
foremost lawyers OF Virginia. and n
grandson of Hiram NJ. Smith. who came
to Virginia in 1929 and proved him
self of especial advantage to the farm
Ing interests of his day by inventlng
and manufacturing much OF the first
farm machinery used in this State
Tobacco machinery which he planned
and made. was shipped to all parts
of the world long before the Civil
War and most of the tools which were
used to build Notifications around
Richmond were made under his direc-
tion and in his establishments On his
mothers side Mr.. Smith is a desccn-
dant Of Colonel James Gordon, OF Ian
caster. who served in the House OF
Burgesses His great-grcat-grand
father was captain of the Fifteenth
Continental Regiment of Nassachu-
setts during the Revolutionary War.
While one Richmond man, John
SHELTON Williams. has already been
made assistant Secretary of the Treas
ury Mr.. Smiths appointment is the
first to be received by a Democrat for
local office. When the fact was flrst
printed in The Tines Dispatch last
week that Assistant District Attorney
Talley had formally resigned, il be-
came known that the place would be
given 10 Mr. Smith, although II was
wen understood at the time that no
would only serve temporarily in that
once, as he is to become district attor-
neI later on. For tho higher office he
mad the strongest possible Endorsement
from lawyers in Richmond and else
where in the district, and he was com
plimentcd by the Attorney General
mat. one so young could come forward
with such excellent testimonials. both
as to his ability as q lawyer and his
standing as citizen. Mr. Smith is a
member OF the law firm of C;arnett.
Pollard & Smith. and he WILL OF course.
continue his private practice in con-
nection with his official duties as prose-
cutting officer Of the government.
Mr. Talley has been anxious for a
long time to retire from the office
His resignation was submitted last
summer. though he remained In office
at the urgent request of District At
torney Groner. Mr., Talley will re-
linquish the affairs of the department
Just rs soon as MIR. Smith can quality
Except for tho fact that he is certain
to be made district attorney, Mr.. Smith
would not havo applied for the posi-
ton Of assistant.