The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-03


two delegates to represent the counties
of Roanoke and Craig and Roanoke city
on Thursday was one OF the features OF
the day. 1t was made by him in Sec
ending the nomination of Hon. M. c.
Thomas as candidate for reelection,
but was devoted principally to the dis.
cussion of the claims of the city to q
representation in the lower House. By
spt cial request Captain Moorman has
furnished The TIMES with an abstract
of this able discussion. 1t ia as fol-
lows:
MR. CHAIRMAN AND FELLOW CITIZENS:
There are periods in the history OF
political parties, as in the lives of indi-
viduals, which demand prudent counsel
to ensure wise action. Such time now
exists in the history of the Democratic
party Of Roanoke and Craig and Roam
oke city.
1t would be very unfortunate If from
misunderstanding and misconstruing
the motives influencing and controlling
the delegates to this representative
convention the citizens of Roanoke and
Craig should be alienated from Roanoke
city, or Roanoke city placed in appar-
ent conflict with these counties. There
is really no good reason for any such
threatened evil, but the resolution just
offered" That Roanoke city having the
nominee for the Senate, the two dele
gates to be ele ted should be one fron
the county OF Roanoke. the other from
Craig, and that the Craig delegate be
choseo frst"-renders such a deplora-
Bile condition imminent
brief statement of facts will, we
think, satisfy all fair-minded men that
Roanoke city is entitled to and should
DO granted delegate 10 the lower
house for the approaching session of
the legislature. If we are correctly in
formed, the objection, and the only OBJ
lection, made TO granting the claim of
Roanoke city to such representation is
the fact that Mr.. Watts has been nomi-
mated for the senate. Is this a proper
or sufficient reason? We think not
Because Mr.. Watts has not been
selected as our candidate for State sen
ator on account of his being resident
OF Roanoke city, but because persons
from every section OF this senatorial
district concur in believing him to be
the man for the place.
The fact that she ia son OF his
father"-who was a man respected,
.honored and beloved throughout the
district-has M AIDE his course as a youth
and man watched with great interest by
all classes of our citizens, and he has
proved himself worthy son of an hon
passed up to the front rank OF his pro-
fession.
The address delivered by Mr.. Watts
before the bar association at the White
Sulphur, marks him as the peer OF our
most noted lawyers. His late address
before the alumni of William and
Mary College, OF which he was distin.
guished graduate. proved him q man Of
far more than ordinary literary attain
ments, and finished scholar. While
the management Of his own estate, and
his judicious counsel to interested
clients, has proved him to be level
headed, common sense business man.
1t Is knowledge of these facts, and
city, which have induced the people Of
the whole district to rise as IL we're ZEN
masse," and tender to him tho honor
able position of State senator.
Should Roanoke city therefore be de
priYed of her just and equitable repre-
sentation because she happens to be the
home of a man called out unanimously
by the Democratic voters of Mont
gomery, Roanoke and Craig as their
representative.
Furthermore, as State senator, though
a resident in Roanoke city, Mr.. Watts
cannot be counted on to represent the
special interests of that city. 1t will
be his duty to represent his whole dis
trict, and it can readily be conceived
how the interests of Radford oity (for
instance) might conflict with the inter
ests OF Roanoke city, in which case Mr..
Watts would have to be hands Off or lay
himself open to criticism for undue
craftsmanship. The same condition of
facts would apply to all questions of
conflicting interests from any part of
the district.
Is it fair, then, to Roam IKE city, with
her 26, 900 population, to thus assign her
one-fourth of the representation In the
Senatorial arena, or counting in Rad
ford city one fifth of such representa-.
ton, and no direct and special repro.
sentation in the lower House, while
Craig and Roanoke, with about 10000
population, should have au equal snare
with Roanoke city in Mr.. Watts ser.
vices, as we all know they will have with
Mr.. Watts as their represe NATIVE? And
in addition thereto, Montgomery to have
a special representation and Craig and
Roanoke counties to have two in the
lower house, and each selected because
ne is not citizen of Roanoke city?
Is this fair and just? Is it right 80
thus ignore the just Claims OF Roanoke
city and leave her out in the cold? We
want Allen Watts for our senator be-
cause, with all the rest Of the district,
we agree in thinking ne is the very best
man for the place; and for one, knowing
him as do and having lived as neigh
Dor and friend of his father, / would
cneorfully support his claims for cleo.
ton il ne lived either in Radford CITY
or in the little game cock county OF
Craig.
Roanoke city though wants and needs