Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1894-01-06
Entered at the Postoffice at Accomac
c. H.. Va, as second-class matter.

The surprising announcementma made
a few days ago, that Mr.. John w. It.
Blackstone was candidate before
our Legislature for the position now
filled by Judge B. T. Gunter, was
generally discredited at the time and
many Of his friends are slow to be
lieve it, even now that it is an as
sured fact. His declarations, made
less than two weeks ago were so en-
tirely favorable to the candidacy OF
Judge Gunter for reelection to the
office now held by him, that few per-
sons, if any, thought it fair to him to
give credence to the report. rms
fact taken into connection with an
other circumstance, to wit: the ST.
lence Of Mr.. Blackstone as to his as
pirations in this respect, even to his
most intimate friends, dispelled the
doubts for the most part created
by these reports. Mr.. Blackstone,
however, is a candidate. Information
to that effect received first through
private sources from the Western
Shore, was confirmed later by con
versation between Judge Gunter and
Mr.. Blackstone's brother, and now
through sources not TO be discredlted,
intelligence has been received from
Richmond that Mr.. Blackstone not
only is a candidate, but his friends
boast that if he is, THAT the set with
whom he has acted will see him
through"
In support of his claims to the Of
flee of Judge of the sth Judicial Cir
cult, Mr.. Thomas W. Russell, alone
of the Accomac Bar, (his law partner
excepted) is lending Mr.. Blackstone
e helping hand-and that too in spite
of declarations made several times
during his candidacy for the Leglsla-
ture, that if elected he would vote
for the reelection of Judge Gunter-
and Mr.. Russell in casting his vote
for Mr.. Blackstone. if he does, defy
ing public sentiment will do so, too,
in utter disregard of the wishes OF
the people who elected him and
whom he promised to serve.
That Judge Gunter on the other
hand is the choice, with few excep
tons, of all the people Of the Eastern
Shore, including even Hon. John w.
Gillet, Judge of the county court OF
Accomac, no one doubts or can doubt
who hears daily in every section OF
the two counties, the denunciation
practically unanimous of the candi
dacy of Mr.. Blackstone. Nor is the
Eastern Shore al9ne practically unan-
Gunter for reelection, but the
advices received everywhere
throughout the Sth Judicial Circuit
are, that he is endorsed and will have
the support of every member of the
Legislature in the circuit, Mr.. Russell
excepted, that he is endorsed by every
member Of the bar and has the sup
port of the entire people. In the
light Of these facts Mr.. Russell may
be able to explain whether he was
sent to the Legislature to represent
himself or the people. II the for
mer, he may be able to give an &C
count of his stewardship, on his re-
turn home, satisfactory to the peo-
pie, but we don't believe it. With
the people Of this judicial circuit
backing Judge Gunter, the question
is, is there a power in the Legisla-
ture. which is disposed or can say to
the people of the Sth Circuit, you
shall not have your choice for Cir
cult Judge, but we will make you
take whom we want?
The candidacy of Mr.. Blackstone
is announced through the columns
of the Norfolk Virginian, received at
the time of going to press.