West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-04-30
AN OPEN LETTER PROM JAMES
A. BROWN.


There seems to be so much mis-
apprehension concerning my candi-
dacy for the nomination for Judge,
that ] ask you to allow me to make
statement.
Sixteen years ago the Republicans
nominated me for Judge in this
Circuit by acclamation. The con-
test which ensued was close and
warm. Owing to the unfortunate
bolt on the Sheriffalty, the Repub-
lican party at some voting places IN
Preston county WAS little better
than mob. and on the day Of cleo
ton, in the confusion, sI lost more
than enough Republican votes in
Preston county to have elected me.
The defeat of 1880 cost me dear
Owing to the family quarrel in
1888, and unfair methods. | was
deprived Of my position in the par
ty aud my place given to another
l urged my supporters to stand by
my opponent and elect him, and
asked them to be patient. / told
them | was confident, il lived and
nothing happened to prevent fair
contest, that the party would VIM
dictate me in 1896. After long years
of bitter disappointment, and that.
too, at a period of my life when
honors were dearest and Offices were
most needed; that time has come,
and trust, if it is proper, that it
will be the pleasure of the Repub :
cans Of this Circuit to restore me to
the rank and position in the party
Of which l was 80 ruthlessly de-
prived.
The followers of my opponents
have had a great time running me
Tor Prosecuting Attorney and with
drawing me as candidate for
Judge; but | told my Republican
friends eight years ago, that if
nothing happened to prevent, they
should have an opportunity to vote
for me if they wished to in 1896,
and | intend for them to have that
opportunity, if they so desire. My
opponents have had office about all
the time since they have been vo-
ters. l have had nothing. Other
things being equal, it is my turn
now. Where is my share of the
honors and emoluments of the par.
ty? Was | only made to serve a
ruling class +? Am | a slave or a
freeman ? A vassal or a peer?
am not making a canvass for
the nomination in the ordinary
sense of the term-as the candidate
for a nomination for Judge should
be above acting as ember of u
County or Executive Committee
and thus using the organizations to
obtain a nomination; above packing
conventions, instructing delegates
or writing anonymous letters. If
the nomination comes to me as a
token Of the esteem in which / am
held by the members of my party,
no man would appreciate such an
honor more than myself, and il
elected | will do my very best to
discharge the duties of the office
with courtesy and satisfaction to all.
/ trust it will be the pleasure of
the members of the party to send
It's ablest men to the Judicial Con.
vention, and that when there they
will be perfectly free and unbiased
and pay no attention to the schemes
and appeals of aspirsnts, and re-
gardless of instructions, pledges or
preferences previously expressed,
or entertained, at least any so en-
tertained in my favor--give us the
candidate whose nomination the
public interest demands.
With the same kind feelings
which | have always cherished for
every member Of the party, / am,
Truly yours,
JAMES a. BRowE.