Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1851-01-24
ELECTION OF JUDGE.

|, We subjoin portion of the debate or Monday
week upon the election Of Judge for this District
We regret the want Of room in not being able 10
give the entire debate. But the following is a
sample, and gives development, of eaases and
ELECTS 60
Mr. Ferguson thought that an extraordinary
game seemed to be playing. The curious spectacle
was exhibited of gentleman who had not The sup
port OF single delegate from his circuit being
dropped under the rule OF the House, and twice
renominated by his friends. II was rumored that
Mr.. Tucker was supported, because he was oppos-
ed 10 the Compromise measures Of the last Con
gress; and thai his election would be sustained hy
some on that ground He wished to know If there
was any foundation for this report II So lie would
vote for any Wing sooner than Mr.. Tucker.
MIR. Barbour denied thar the friends OF MIR. Tuck
eT were influenced by any such designs. TWAS
true that he was opposed that system Of measures
but his election was not urged on that ground but
because Of his qualifications fsr the Office
Mr.. Ferguson rejoined. He had no wish 10 in
,roduce this question and make 1t an issue But
whenshe saw the unusual course pursued by the
friends Of Mr.. Tucker; and connected il with the
rumor circulating in the Hail il could but excite
surprise in his mind. If that issue was aifem pied
TO Be made, the friends Of the Compromise would
meet il promptly. He repeated that he would vote
for Wing, under the circumstances sooner than
any one sustained upon such grounds
Mr.. Cooke had voted for Mr.. Tucker because
ne auuafeu nIm, ana tnonght ain perfectly qualified
for the Office. Ii be had reason to suppose that be
was unfriendly TO the Union, he would not touch
him with ten foot pole. But he did not believe
that he was. He considered The idea thatlhe sun
poriers Of MIR. Tucker were Influenced byHsuch
considerations had been suggested to be utterly
absurd and cited as proof al il his own VOTE and
that ofthe gentleman from Lynchburg both OF whom
were friendly 10 the Compromise. He referred to
the fact thar during the late Senatorial election
Mr.. Ferguson had not only voted for but nominated
Mr.. James NJ. Mason whose opinions on that sub
iect were even more ultra than Mr. fuckers
Mr. Ferguson interrupted. He stated thar be
had nominated and voted for Mr. Mason, because
he as well others had been assured by his friends
that he was in favor of maintaining the Cofhpro-
mise now that il had become the law Of the land,
and seemed TO be generally acquiesced in. To his
"a eat surprise, however, he had learned from Mr..
Ma ons friends, thai no one had been authorized
by han 10 give such Piled ges or 10 make any such
siateinens 81 his present oinions on that question:
and that he would not feel himself bound. in bis
Senatorial, course BY any such unauthorized decia-
ration Of his intentions.
Mr. PergusIa said that since these facts came 70
his knowledge n was BY no means satisfied with
the part he had perIcrmed ID that election.
Mr. Cooke said thas though such dupliciiy had
been pracfised on that occasion, il had nothing TO
DO with the present election. He thought politics
should not be allowed 70 operate 10 the election 81
Judge and that We should only look 70 the qualif-
cations Of the nominees. He then, In glowing
manner. paid Mr. IT. higheompliment. and dwelt
Al some length upon bis superior exeeilencies 81
heart and head.