CXIV.
CXIV. WILLIAM EWAN CAMERON.
CXIV. Governor.
CXIV. January 1, 1882, to January 1, 1886.
William Ewan Cameron, son of Walker Anderson
Cameron and Elizabeth Harrison Walker Cameron, was born
in Petersburg, Virginia, November 29, 1842. According to
tradition, the family is descended from the Scottish chieftain
of the clan Cameron, Sir Ewan Lochiel, whose prowess is celebrated
in song as well as history.
Young Cameron was early thrown upon his own resources
by the death of his parents, and at the age of sixteen
he went West in pursuit of fortune. Upon the breaking
out of the late civil war, he left St. Louis, Missouri, and
returned to his native state. He enlisted as a private in
Company A, 12th Regiment, Virginia Volunteers. His
soldierly merit was soon acknowledged, and by successive
promotions he attained the rank of Brigade Inspector. He
served throughout the war, was several times severely
wounded, and finally surrendered at Appomattox Court
House, with the rank of Captain.
From this time, he devoted his talents principally to journalism,
being connected with the editorial staff of the "Daily
News," of Petersburg, Virginia, and afterwards with "The
Index and Appeal," of the same city. He then edited the
"Norfolk Virginian," but returned to Petersburg and took
charge of the "Index," which he conducted until 1870, when
he became editor of the "Richmond Whig." In 1872 Captain
Cameron assumed control of the "Richmond Enquirer," which
he conducted until 1873. In 1876 he was elected Mayor of
Petersburg, Virginia, and thus served by four successive
elections, until nominated as Governor of Virginia. In 1881
Captain Cameron was elected to this responsible office, and
entered upon its duties January 1, 1882, for the period of
four years.
Governor Cameron was a vigorous writer and an effective
speaker, and as an able Executive his administration was
highly satisfactory to his constituents.
Among the Acts of the General Assembly, during his
term, was the abolition of the "whipping-post," a section of
the ancient criminal code peculiarly obnoxious to evil-doers,
as well as offensive to the sentiments of advancing civilization.
This Act, approved April 21, 1882, says:
"And be it further enacted, that Section twenty-nine, Chapter ten,
and Section twelve, Chapter twenty-five of the Criminal Code of eighteen
hundred and seventy-eight, and all other Acts and parts of Acts, so far as
they relate to punishment by stripes, be and the same are hereby repealed."
Also, an Act was passed, approved April 21, 1882, giving
the consent of the State of Virginia for the purchase, by the
United States, of a tract of land at Yorktown, for the purpose
of the erection thereon, by the United States, of a monument
to commemorate the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and his
forces, to the allied army commanded by General George
Washington, in October, 1781.
