The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-04
Thomas nj. Wood n Candidate for Com
monwealth's Attorney,

hohWedltnS attorney
To My Fellow-Ci Of the CITY of
Roanoke: | hereby announce myself q
candidate for the office of common
wealth's attorney at the ensuing May
election. In thus announcing myself
have few words to say as regards nv
candidacy. At the time OF my settle
mont in Roanoke, in Novem Der, 1852,
now going on twelve years ago. there
we're then enrolled at this bar as prac.
tlcing attorneys Lucian H Cooke, the
late Henry Gibson, Judge VIM. Gordon
Robertson j. Allen Watts and William
Lunsford Within a few months were
added Robert f. Scott, Thomas w. Mil
Ter and Robert ii. Woodrum, an oven
fourth dozen before the spring of 1888.
Every one OF the above have held
ONCE since then, helped along the
dubious paths Of a professional life by
the emoluments Of public office, SO
necessary, soothing and grateful to
many in professional career, From
hundreds to thousands of dollars have
been drawn by each of the above from
the public purse to cheer and encourage
the toilsome paths of professional sue
cess, and each OF them have since -four
ished like the green bay tree" which
SO beautifully puts forth it's tender buds
when abundantly watered. And why
not? Surely, for no reason that can
advance. Mark you, am not find
ing fault, am only drawing comparisons
and stating facts. Meanwhile, where
have l been? A silent, unmurmuring,
admlring locker on as my colleagues
brushed past me with flying colors
and the roll of drum, standing alone,
unaided. unhonored and unsung." For
what? Was it that they were abier, or
older or better soldiers than |? Ask the
persons before whom / have precticed
law from magistrate to circuit judges
and query the entire curriculrm OF
the courts and get your answer
was 1t that | refused to be the CLAW
in the potter's hands to be fashioned
by brainless fops and interested schem-
ers- political vultures who have lowered
over the city treasury since tho flrst
brick was laid in the building CT
Roanoke, and who have followed poll
ties to control legislation in the interest
OF their money vaults and towering edi
hces,and who are ignorant enough to be
only cunning and vulgar schemers who
nave always put their foot" upon man
hood and independence of thought and
&C lion?
Let the voters answer this question
But more. At the evening tide of
Roanoke there cane legal pilgrims
one, two; | know not how maryland
worshipped at the golden shrine OF
Office and partook of her benefces
through the vote Of the people, and yet
has it boen shown by experience that
they had better claims or that they
were worthier than |? Shall tho list OF
"unrecognized incapacities" never
cease?
Let the people answer.
One word more. l believe the cost of
carrying on our city government is
greater than it should be, thereby caus.
ing unnecessary taxation. ] believe
that the salaries of some of our city
officials arc greater than they should
be- these pinching times. among them
that of comnonwealth's attorney, and
II elected to this position will volun-
tarily ask the Council to reduce this
salary from 5000 to $500 This, with
the fees OF the office, is a fair considera-
| ton for the services and it is practical
reform, which, with like reduct ton in
all other departments, would furnish
many poor man with work and fill
many hungry mouth.
And now, my fellow citizens, come
before you and ask that you give m ,
the same opportunity that you have
given so many others whilst l have
been so patiently waiting. l believe
the time has como when from many
events that have happened in the his
tory of the city of Roanoke that people
have begun to think for themselves.
believe silent revolution has been
going on in the minds of the people as
to events in this city and, If so, shall
have no reason to fear the result Of my
candidacy. Very respectfully,
THos. w. WooD
DON'T fail to inspect that elegant
stock of iAWAlru watchna al live IVA ro