The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-08-15
MR.. WATTS STATES HIS POSITION

MIR. y. Allen Watts yesterday made
public the following statement in regard
to his candidacy for the State senate;
ROANOKE, VA, Aug. IA, 1893
To THE PUBIIc.-Some question hav.
ing arisen as to my position and the po
sition Of the Watts Club in regard TO it's
attitude with respect to the election of
a representative as we'll as senator
from the city of Roanoke, IL has been
thought best by the club and by myself
that clear statement OF our position be
made.
Some time before any candidate for
the house had announced himself, an
nounced myself as candidate for the
senate. This announcement was made,
as believe, with the appreciation and
approval Of large mum Der of the voters
in Craig, in Montgomery, in Roanoke
county and in the city of Roanoke.
There was no question raised and has
been none raised, so far as l am con-
cerned, in regard to the election of q
delegate to the lower house from the
city, l. personally, have avoided any
ombination or agreement, or under
standing with any one in the city of
Roanoke in regard to the election of
that person to the house, and this posi-
ton is the posi- ton of the club which
was organized to further my election.
Neither the club nor myself have any
thing to do with the candidacy of any
one from the city of Roanoke for the
house. We are not opposing or aid ng
MIR. Thomas or any one else.
We have not felt it incumbent upon
us to fight Mr.. Thomas, and certainly it
would not be in good taste for me to
undertake to try to dictate to my friends
who their choice should be for the
lower house. While l have no purpose
of doing the slightest thing individually,
or, as lar as l can control it, ofinfluenc-
ing the club that represents me, doing
anything to oppose Mr.. Thomas candi-
dacy, | am equally certain that we will
not in any way endeavor to aid his
candidacy as against any other person
who may be running for that office from
the city OF Roanoke, county OF Roanoke
or county OF Craig. In other words, we
are entirely 'hands off," as far as this
matter Is concerned.
These views were discussed at the
meeting of my friends a few nights
ago expressed them to large num-
rof my supporters and they met with
tn sir entire concurrence.
The individual action OF my friends
is matter that have not, and do not,
propose to try to influence, SO far as the
house is concerned. There are number
of my friends who are in favor of Mr..
Tho mas. There may be others who
are opposed to Mr.. Thomas, and doubt.
less there are some of Mr.. Thomas
friends in favor of me and others
opposed to me-
My friends propose 10 ask for a dele
cation to the Senate convention favora.
bic to my candidacy; when that delega
ton has been elected, the clubs work,
in so far as il relates to the nomina-
tons from the city OF Roanoke, is
ended. What may then he uonc by
individuals is matter of individual
choice. Such OF my friends who desire
to supper: Mr. Thomas are al perfect
liberty to do SO, and equally at perfect
liberty 10 support any one else.
have made this statement full and
clear, because | feel il is due 10 nv
friends in the counties Of Craig, Roam.
ok and Montgomery, as we'll as those in
the city OF Roanoke, and mako it for
the additional reason that / was re.
quested to do SO by the meeting above
referred To.
The legislative fight is one with
which have nothing TO do. and should
not be held responsible for it's consc.
quences. il the people are kind enough
TO think that | will make an acceptable
senator, do not think their opinion
should be changed by what is done by
voters in the city, voters in the county or
the voters in Craig in regard to the cleo
tion Of delegate.
Respectfully. j. ALLEN WATTS.
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