The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-12

Legislature.
If anything further were needed to
attest the popularity of Judge Jno. w.
Woods the immense mass meeting
which assembled in the circuit court
room last night would be sufficient.
The hall was filled to OVERLOOKING, and
every available standing space was o.
cupied by representative business men
OF the city. all anxious to do all in
their power to have the general as
sembly to re-elect the present corpora
tion judge to that responsible position.
This WAS undoubtedly the largest body
OF bust aess mon ever assembled in the
city.
The meeting was held pursuant to a
call published in the daily papers by
Hon. II. s. Trout and other prominent
citizens. When called to order Luoien
a. Cooke was elected chairman and e.
l. Moir secretary.
Mr.. Cooke stated the object of the
meeting in few well-chosen remarks,
after which ex- Senator J. Alien Watts
spoke as follows in behalf of Judge
Woods:
III came here tonight to participate
in meeting Of the citizens Of Roanoke,
called to give expression to their wishes
and desires respecting the selection Of
judge for the hustings court OF this city.
The Judge who shall fill this position is
required not only to pass upon the
property rights Of the citizens of Roam
oke, but also upon rights affecting their
life and liberty, being thus o matter
of grave Importance to all Of US. con.
gratulste you not only upon the large
number OF oitizens here assembled, but
also upon the represent ative character
OF this r Getting and the intelligence 1t
embodies.
1.-THE duties of this office are very
onerous. The judge sits practically
eleven months in the year, and in the
month of August, when he is allowed q
vacation, he is generally loaded down
with chancery causes 30 that he scarcely
ago John w. Woods, young lawyer,
and recent graduate of the University
of Virginia, was eleottd Judge of this
court. and whilst he has doubtless
made mistakes, and probably not
attained the high standard some of our
older judges have gained by longer ex-
perience. yet he has labored hard and
been faithful. honest and painstaking
and has III zen general, If not universal,
satisfaction. He is patient and consid-
crate to the young as we'll as the old
practitioner, and having proven his
ability and fitness for the office I cheer
fully endorse his petition and desire to
SEQ hin re-elected. His decisions are
always honest, not wavering, because
OF friendship or party aff1liation and
believe that man who has faithfully
perfor med his duties should have the
endorsement OF his people and his party
and that those considerations should
have great weight with the members
OF the general assembly OF Virginia"
Mr.. Watts address was frequently
interrupted by the appliance of the au-
dience, which evidently fully coinoided
with his views.
The following committee was ap-
pointed to draft suitable resolutions
expressing tho sentiments of the people
Of Roanoke, as indicated by the mass
meeting: @ D. Fox, j. A. Jamison, Fl
g. Davies, w. R. Coulbourn and 8. Ham
ilton Graves, the latter being made
chairman.
While the ommittee was preparing
their report Oolouel Hoge. who was in
the crowd, was called on and responded
In his usual forcible style, endorsing
everything that Mr.. Watts had said,
and stated that II the citizens of Roa.
noke had to elect the corporation Judge
this vast and enthusiastic gathering
would settle the matter.
ALI the speeches were received with
deafening applause and the business
men who participated settled the fact
that II they had the election of the cor
porstion judge in their hands. Woods
would withous doubt succeed himself.
The committee reported the following
resolutions. which were read before the
meeting, and adopted without q dissent
ing voice:
Whereas, We. the Democratic citi-
zens and business men of the city of
Roanoke, Va, in mass meeting as
sembled, pursuant to csll issued by
d. 8. Trout and others, and published
In both of our daily papers. and feeling
the deepest interest," in the welfare of
our city, as we'll as the Democratic
party;
"And. whereas, The present incum-
bent OF the cff1oe of Judge of the hus.
tingH court, the Hon. Jno. W, Woods.
who has occupied the bench for three
years, has made an honest, upright and
efficient judge, eminently So tis fac tory to
the bar and the people; therefore, be It
Resolved, That we do most earnestly
urge our representative. Hon. w. W.
Berkeley, In the general assembly to uas
every effort possible to secure the re-
election OF said Woods to said position,
believing as we do. that in so doing he
will NOT only subserve the best in terests
of our City. but ref1ect thu aent m ants ne