Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/1016

950 health, he removed to Washington county, Va., became occupied as a farmer, entered into a railroad enterprise, and attended in 1860 the Charleston convention as a supporter of Stephen A. Douglas. Mr. Daniel returned from Europe in February, 1861, and again assumed editorial charge in May following, of the Richmond Examiner, Judge Hughes at the same time becoming joint editor, and continuing in this position until April, 1865. In this capacity he entered most heartily into the cause for which the South, without regard to former political affiliations, was so remarkably unified. The Examiner became a great power, and read in the homes of the South, as well as in the camp, alike cheered the hearts of the non-combatarts and inspired the soldiers to renewed sacrifices. In its files the history of the great struggle is truthfully recorded, and a complete record of the period could not be written without a consideration of the influence of the Examiner upon the actors in political and military affairs. After the war Judge Hughes became very prominent in the political affairs of the State. Joining the Republican party in 1869 he edited the Richmond Republic in 1869 and 1870. In 1871 he was appointed United States attorney, and subsequently became the candidate of his party for governor, against James L. Kemper. In 1872 he contributed to give the electoral vote of Virginia to General Grant by making a canvass of his district as candidate for Congress. In appreciation of this service the re-elected president tendered Judge Hughes, unsought, the office of district attorney for the western district of Virginia. In January, 1874, he visited the president to urge the appointment of Gen. W. C. Wickham as United States judge of the eastern circuit but Grant replied after hearing him patiently, "Colonel, when that vacancy occurred you were the first man I had thought of for the place." In the following week, at his home, Judge Hughes read the news of his elevation to the bench. This honored position he has continued to occupy, performing its duties with unflagging industry and distinguished ability, though now past the age of seventy years, at which it is permissible for United States judges to retire from active work. During his twenty-three years upon the bench many causes of great importance have been passed upon, and he has made many and enduring contributions to the fabric of American law. One of the most noted matters brought before him was the suit of G. W. P. Custis Lee, devisee and grandson of G. W. Parke Custis, against the United States government for possession of the Arlington estate. The government held under a tax title, having got possession of the whole property for $92, and had a tenant in possession. The defense was that the government could not be sued, and that there was no judicial remedy for the plaintiff. But Judge Hughes held that such an action as this could be maintained, and gave judgment for the plaintiff. The case was appealed to the United States supreme court, and that court affirmed the judgment of the court below, returning Arlington to the possession of the Lees. Presiding in the admiralty court of Norfolk, perhaps next in importance to that of New York, Judge Hughes has been called upon to render judgment in many cases of importance, the most celebrated of which was that which grew out of the wreck of the British steamer Sandringham, off the coast below Cape Fear. Property valued at $200,000 was involved in the suits brought for salvage, and the