The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-21
Announces Candidacy In Re-
spouse to Urgent Requests
From Many Sections of State
MEMBER OF SENATE
FOR TEN YEAT S
Has Been Among Leaders in
That Body in Long Fight
Which Resulted in Making
F.. Old Dominion Dry

Hon. John Il, Saunders, member of
the state senate from the Thirty-ninth
district, one Of the most prominent
men in public life in Tidewater Nir-
ginia, and an earnest advocate and
supporter OF the cause of temperance.
IL candidate for the Democratic
nomination for attorney general OF
Virginia.
Mr.. Saunders was in Richmond yes
terday up 10 noon and gave out the
formal announcement OF his candi-
dacy. which Is printed herewith. He
will make an active and vigorous cam
paign and is confident OF success. The
only other candidate thus far an
nouneed Is Hon. Hugh white member
Of the house Of delegates from Rock
bridge county.
Earnest Prohibition Advocate.
Mr., Saunders is a pronounced ad-
~ecate and supporter OF prohibition
In both his private and public life he
has steadfastiy esp0used the cause OF
temperance. lie was one of the pa
irons NJ the enabling act and with
Senators Mapp. Walker. West and
others was recognized as one OF the
Ani!-Sal loon league leaders in the IN
Pc branch If the virginia Legislature.
where The real fight for the enabling
act, ana later for the Mapp prohtbi-
a7r law. was made.
Mr. Saunders played conspicuous
part % the long fight for the legisla-
Ron which has made Virginia dry.
He tooh a deep interest in the prepa
ration Of tAe Mapp law. which is prob
a9ety ne MOST com piete and effective
tgph1hltsnn statute in operation IN any
Of tlse states, and was one of senator
Maps right hand men IN the battle
ON the floor of the senate
VIII Make Vigorous Fight
Senator Saunders IL an effective
campo tgner, and Will make vigor-
Gus fight for THE office to which he
aspires. He is popular with the peo-
Pile enjoys the confidence OF all VINO
knew him. and his frankn ess.and hon
eEiy II public matters attract men to
him He was formerly common
we; attorney OF his county. Mid
dies, and has been a member of the
state senate for ten years. His PEG
pie are strongly attached TO him ana
have reelected him to the senate
each time without opposition.
Active in Public Matters.
Although less than nifty years old.
Mr.. Saunders has been active in pub
lie matters for twenty years or more.
He In a native OF King and Queen
county. where he was born Decem-
Der 10 1859. He was educated in the
public schools and at the Stevensvile
academy. in his home county. He
taught school for number OF years,
and later studied law at the Univer-
sity of Virginia under the late John
B. Minor. one of Virginia's great law
teachers. He was admitted to the bar
IN Middlesex county in 1898, and has
been engaged in the practice Of his
profession in that and adjacent coun-
ties ever since. He Is regarded as a
lawyer of ability and enjoys a large
practice
Mr.. Saunders came to the senate
from the Thirfy-ninth district in 1907,
and has served In that body continu-
Dusty since. being reelected without
opposition. He was a member of Gov
ernor Montague's stan and served for
several years on the educational COM
emission OF Virginia. He has his home
at Saluda, where he and his family
are quite popular, He was married
in 1897 to Miss Blanche Hoskins, OF
King and Queen county, a sister of
Mrs A. J, Montague. They have three
children.
Strongly Urged TO RIM
The announcement by Mr.. Saunders
of his candidacy for attorney general
is In response to very strong appeals
which have been made to him by
friends in various sections of the
state to enter the race. with a large
practice and other business interests,
he hesitated about becoming candi-
date. but finally consented to do so.
Now that he is in the field, he will
snter upon his canvass with the zeal
and ardor which are characteristic of
him. His positions on public ques-
tons are we'll defined, and he will
make the race on the record which he |
has es1a hlished