Some Virginia Lawyers of the Past and Present.

151

quaintance of mine. He was the best equip bine circumstances in such a net work of ped lawyer I have ever known, — learned reasoning as to resist all the efforts of his with a tenacious, well-trained memory." adversary to break it." The third in succes The Scotts have indeed been a race of sion of the family to attain distinction at the lawyers and several generations of them Virginia bar, was the late beloved Attorneyhave ranked high at the Virginia bar. Judge General of Virginia, Robert Taylor Scott. John Scott was on the bench for many years. He was born March 10, 1834, at Warrenton, It was said of him : " With the name and Va. He entered the University of Virginia genius of Eldon, he was a man of masterful in 1851, and graduated in 1856. He studied

An image should appear at this position in the text. To use the entire page scan as a placeholder, edit this page and replace "{{missing image}}" with "{{raw image|The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 10.pdf/174}}". Otherwise, if you are able to provide the image then please do so. For guidance, see Wikisource:Image guidelines and Help:Adding images.

power in mind and law under his father. character. At the bar He devoted himself he had been a great to the practice of his advocate; in the con profession until 1861, vention of 1829-30, when, at the breaking he was a prominent out of the war, he as leader in its deliber sisted in raising and ations; a vigorous organizing a com controversial writer, pany which was as signed to the Eighth and on the bench he was one of the ablest Virginia Regiment judges in the coun Volunteers. He was made captain and try. His judgments showed more original served until 1862, thought than learn when he was appoint ing, and his temper ed on the staff of Ma was firm and com jor-General George manding." A slander E. Pickett as chief suit was pending be quarter-master of tween two preach Pickett's Division, and ers; counsel suggest was with this com ed the venire might mand to the close of have membersof their the war. It was said : HENKY A. WISE. congregations upon "His position was no its roll. The judge sinecure, and he per called on all who were such to stand up. A formed his duty with earnest purpose and large number rose. The judge said with a sar well-directed effort, with faithfulness and courage, being always at his post of duty. castic smile, but with grave decision : "Sher iff, summon a jury of sinners to try this issue The war over he returned to the law. He was between saints." His son's, Robert Eden a prominent and able member of the State Convention of 1867, and of the House of Scott, reputation as a lawyer, was wide spread, and his character as a man won for Delegates in 188 1. In 1889 he was elected him the respect and admiration of all. A Attorney-General of Virginia and re-elected great lawyer said : " He was one of the in 1893, and had he lived he would certainly most powerful speakers I ever heard. In have been elected for the third time, which the General Assembly, in the Convention of would be an honor, rarely, if ever, conferred in Virginia. As a lawyer he was highly ac 1850 and of 1861, before the Court of Ap peals, everywhere he had a capacity to com- complished and always most honorable and