The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-09-07
The Judgeshlp.

Mr.. EDIToR:-As the time is near
at hand when the Democrats are to
nominate candidate against Judge
Kelly, permit me to make few OBJ
servations. Common Pleas Judges
were not elected by the people, until
after the adoption of the present
Constitution, thirty-five years ago.
In this district, at that time there
were two candidates, Alexander of
Belmont and Walton of Monroe
Then John w. Okev of Monroe was
twice elected, who was followed by
VIM. Kennon Jr. of Belmont for one
term; then John S. Way of Monroe
for one term; then Chambers of Bel
mont for one term, and then VIM.
0key of Monroe for one term. These
were all Democrats. So we find Bel
mont had three terms, and Monroe
.four.
This clearly shows that Belmont
County Is justly and fairly entitled
to this nomination at this time. Be
sides Belmont County is SO much
larger, and to insureequallty should
have tire terms to three for Monroe.
Again, Monroe has only willingly
supported t~o candidates from Bel
mont, Kennon and Chambers, while
Belmont has supported all .torr of
the Monroe candidates.
Five years ago, notwithstanding
Monroe had had .four terms to only
two from Belmont, Judge Okcy
sought reelection; and Monroe
County refused to remain in the . on
vention.
Belmont County is justly and
fairly entitled to this nomination.
ana sh0nll insist on its rights. The
fifty-tive hundred democratic r0tnrs
of Belmont count more than the
thirty-fivc hundred of Monroe Coun-
ty. BELMONT.
The above article appeared in the
"St. Clairsvillc Gazette" of August
10Th. | reproduce the entire orti-
Gle to show that, / am treating the
writer thereof with perfect fairness.
] belieye no conYention was held at
the time Alexander of Belmont, and
Walton of Monroe, were candidates.
If / am correct in this,-I have been
a member of every Judicial conyen-
ton held in this subdivision Tex
ccpt the last one. As far as the
first paragraph of the article above
referred to states who were elected,
its statements are true, but it does
not state all the facts. Early in the
history of Democratic conventions,
it lecame understood, either by res
olutlon to that effect. or by general
understanding that. the candidates
should be altcrnated between the
countics-cach county having the
Judge for one term.
1t is said in the article referred to
that, John w. Okey WAS elected for
two terms, in sucecssion,-which is
true; but Monroe County did not
+, present his aatae. nor ask for th(
second term. lie was re-nomlnated
by universal consent, there being nc
other candidate before the COnven.
tion. He removed to Guernsey
County shortly after his election
and remained there until he resign
cd, and his unexpired term was ill
ed by Belmont County man ap
pointed BY the Governor; so while
he served on his secoad term he iipr
cd in Guernsey County, and aftel
resignation, Belmont County filled
the term by appointment. The frs
time any attempt was ever made tt
depart from the one term rule, was
in 1876, when the Belmont delega
tion tried to force upon the Conven
tian--a denomination of Robert +
Chambers. aud falling in that. with
draw, Tin part) from the Convention
in humble imitotion of which exam
pie Monroe County acted almost al
unwisely in 1881. Knowing tina
such course would be pursued, il
the rsaaaa WIZ | did not attend ttel l', tea
Convention,
In tho case OF Chambers, ther
was persistence to the extent 0
running against William Okey tn
regular nominee, at the election
which in the case of Monroe Count,
in 1881, opposition almost entirel,
ceased with the ConvcntiOn-nO In
dependent Democratic candidate a
the election.
1t is said in substance that, Mon