Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-06
JACKSON FOR JUDGE.
HE is RENoMINATED TO PRESIDE
OVER THE FIFTEENTH CIRCUIT.
RECEIVED A MAJORITY OF ONE.
The Fight In the Caucus n Very Hot
One-He Was supporter OF Palmer
and Buckncr-Three other Candi-
dates.

/ Democratic caucus last nlgnt
Judge Jackson Is the incumbent, having
been appointed by Governor Tylers pre-
decessor in 1896 He voted for Palmer
and Buckner against Bryan. and the fight
against him was because OF this fact.
The counties composing this circuit are
Carroll Bland Giles. Wythe, Pulaski, and
Tazewell. The contest for the judgeship
! has been waged with great earnestness
ever since last falls election, and the
finish on the floor Of the caucus was In
teresting TO degree.
The three candidates in the field against
| Judge jackson formed a quasi-combina-
ton, but were unable to defeat him,
though the question OF their party fealty
was never raised.
Mr.. Robert French, OF Giles; Mr.. ]. w.
Hicks, of Tazewell, and Mr.. j. j. A.
Powell, of Wythevile, were the candi-
dates opposed 10 Judge Jackson.
FOR JUDGE OF NELSON.
The caucus was called to order at s:l5
O'Clock by Chairman Cooke.
Mr.. Boaz, of Albemarle. moved that the
nomination of a candidate for the county
iudgeshps of Nelson be first taken up
The nomination was made necessary by
the death a few days ago of Judge Eo-
bertson. This was agreed TO, and Mr..
Fitzpatrick, Of Nelson. nominated MI
William G. Loving. In a short speech
Senator Massie seconded the nomination,
and Mr.. Loving was chosen the candidate
unanimously.
THE CIRCUIT JUDGE FIGHT
DR.. Sayers the delegate from Wythe,
arose, and nominated as candidate for
the judgeship Of the Fifteenth Judicial
Circuit Judge Robert c. Jackson, the in
cumbent, who was appointed by the re-
cent Governor. DIR. Sayers very forcibly
presented the claims of Judge Jackson,
enumerating the elements Of his strength,
his endorsements by the bar and citizens
generally. He also sent to the Clerks
desk and had read a letter from ex-Judge
ID. w. Bolen, and many others vouchlng
for the Democracy of Judge Jackson. and
declaring that he had pledged himself to
vote with the party in the future. There
was also read from Judge Jackson let
ter declaring his intention to always vote
with the party in the future, though he
had supported Palmer and Buckner in
preference to Bryan and Sewall.
Continuing, DR.. Sayers said he was con-
fdent there was no better Democrat I'm
the country than Judge Jackson. few bet
ter lawyers, no better judge. and not
more honest man.
PRESENTED MR.. HICKSS NAME.
Senator st. Clair presented the name Of
Mr.. J. w Hicks, of Tazewell He COM
mended Mr. Hicks as a self-made man. a
fine lawyer a Democrat whose party al
legiance no man had ever questioned. lie
had done invaluable work for the party,
ttt,fx hqH
not had the circuit judgeshp in 100 years,
while Wythe which now offered two cam
didates had had II ever since the war
with the exception of four years. He
criticised the statement made that Judge
Jackson had scratched BRYAN, but voted
for Judge Williams for Congress. saying:
Il do not think there should be el avated
to the bench man so inconsistent as 10
vote for the head of a ticket that de-
clared for gold standard and for the tail
that was for free silver"
Mr.. ST. Clair read number of endorse
ments Of Mr.. Hicks, as to his moral
worth. legal attainments, and party SER
vices. He also read an affidavit stating |
that the afiiant had heard a friend OF
Judge Jackson state that he Oackson) |
had stated that he would give no pledge |
that he would support the party Lomi- |
nees in the future; that he would not |
SdtIllct MS HldUHOOu lot all the Judge
ships on earth. In conclusion, Mr.. st. |
Clair pledged Mr.. Hicks, If honored with |
the judgeship to devote every energy to
the discharge Of his duties.
FRENCH AND POWELL
Mr.. Gwynn presented the name OF Mr.
Robert French. of Bland. in a very
strong speech, which lost nothing by be-
ing very brief. He commended Mr.. |
French as a lifelong. hard-working Dem
ocrat above reproach in every relation
of life. a brilliant lawyer who would
honor the judicial ermine and the party
who nominated him.
Mr.. Duke nominated John ]. A. Powell,
of Wythe in a brief speech.
Mr.. Hale. of Grayson. seconded the
of Judge Jackson, in very
graceful speech. He dwelt upon the in<
portance of holding out welcoming hand
to every prodigal who wanted to come
back home. and pleaded with the caucus
to make Judge Jackson the nominee.
Mr.. Parker seconded the nomination Of
Judge Jackson. saying they roomed to-
gether at the University Of Virginia, ard
he did not believe any man in the circuit
would make better Judge He did not
think the caucus should call i'm question
the Democracy Of a man occupying Judge
Jackson's position. and he believed his
past offence should be forgiven.
WAS STILL A POPULST.
Mr.. Diggs interrupted Mr.. Parker TO
ask him if he had not opposed the nomi-
nation of Mr.. Cooke, a Populist. at ROa-
noke in 1897, because of past sins Mr..
Parker very forcibly denied this. saying
that he refused to support Mr.. Cooke be-
cause he had never repented, but was
POpuist STILL
Mr. Diggs asked Mr. Parker 10 construe
the paragraph in a letter Of Judge Jack
son. saying he deplored the disposition on
The part Of some members of the Legisla-
lure TO make a belief i'm free coinage the
sole test OF Democracy. Mr.. Parker forci-
bly, declared this was no ntmation OF
Weakness in Democratic faith. and dwelt
aloquenty upon the manliness Of Judge
Jackson i'm following the dictates Of con-
science first, and when he saw he was
wrong. recanted. and wanted to come
back He did not think he or any man
,ould say he would always vote the Dem
,cratic ticket changes Of policy were
ometimes so radical. He closed with
IN eloquent appeal for the nomination Of
Judge Jackson.
WOULD NOT SUPPORT A GOLDBUG.
Mr. Carter, of Scott. made a forcible
nd polished speech, seconding the nomi-
iaton of Mr.. Hicks He said he could
Iot understand how free-coinage men
oud look on with complacency while an
fort was being made to nominate q
nan, the success Of whose principles
would have gotten the scalps of every
nan on the floor. He could never vote