Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-11-09
IIE PORTsNoUTIi NEWsAND ADVERTIsEhlINTs.
RECON- MBNDDD MAJoR 4 c OR t,s; ESE

s 2,
RECOMMENDED MAI Rs CRoCKERa
He eclines, But After Speeches From
553h dessrs. VIM H. Stewart and R: C.
He Ia kes Time to Consider. K
The memlb ers of the Portsmouth Bar
met yesterday afternoon in the County
Court room for the purpose OF; nomIn-
lating suitable person to recommend
to the Legislature for the position OF
Judge Of the Hastings Court to sue
coed Judge A. S.. Watts, whose time
expires December 31st, 1900. The chair
man. Major Croker, being engaged in.
a lawsuit was not able to preside. Mr..
Norman Cassell. was selected as chair
man, and Mr.. L. c. Phillips was chosen
as secretary.
Colonel William H. Stewart said that
he had not heard of any one being q
candidate for the position, consequently
he would move that the meeting ball
lot for some one until suitable per-
son was selected. The question was
asked by Mr.. Hatton Dc proxies would
be admitted. Mr.. Hatton said that II
was understood at the conference that
that If any lawyer could not be pres
ent that he could send a proxy. The
meeting decided to accept proxies. Mr..
John G.. Hume presented Mr.. Charles.
Humes' proxy, Mr.. G. Hatton, Judge
l.. r. Watts; Mr.. Frank Crocker that
OF Major j. +. Crocker.
Colonel Stewards motion to ballof
for candidate was put and was
adopted unanimously.
The Chair appointed Messrs Edward
Watts and John H. Hume as tellers.
Balloting was commenced
First ballot-Phillips, ~; A. S.Watts
8; Parker, 2; ]. F. Croker, A; A. %.
Warner, /; Hatton, l.
Second ballot-Philllps. 6; Watts, s.:
Croker. 4 Parker. 8; Warner, 8.
Mr.. Wool moved that the lowest man
be dropped.
Mr.. Phillips asked to be excused
from voting. Mr. Parker also wanted
70 be excused, which was granted. .
Fourth ballot-Phillips, S; Watts, s.
Warner. 8; Parker. Q. Parker dropned
Fourth ballot-Crocker, z; Phillips.
8; Warner, a: Watts, g. watts
dropped
Fifth ballot-Phillips, 6; Warner. g.:
Croker, 8.
Sixth ballot-Phillps, 4: Crocker,s.
Warner, 6. Warner dropped.
Seventh ballot-Croclzer. IA; Phillips.
On motion Of Mr.. Philips, it was made
unanimous.
On motion, Messrs. Warner, Phillips,
and Parker were appointed a COM
mittee to inform Major Crocker OF his
nomination. This gentleman came in
with the committee and was informed
of the nomination.
He then proceeded to say:
Mr.. Chairman and Brother Law
yers-I appreciate the token of esteem
Imposed in me by your unanimous re-
commentator to the Legislature for
the position Of Judge Of the Hastings
Court. appreciate the honor of being
Judge "a position of high standing-one
where one can sit and carefully con-
slider the question before him and to
prayerfully consider what was right
Had the honor come to me years ago
when 1 was younger. would have ac-
cepted the same joyfully, but now
have lived to the time when my desire
is to spend the balance OF my life
calmly and peacefully. I have no
ambfuons and do not care to take the
responsibility of the position upon me.
l. therefore. will have to decline the
honor conferred on me and could not
accept"
He was here interrupted by Colonel
VIM. H. Stewart who asked that he
De not so decided in his answer. The
par had carefully and unanimously
selected him to that position and that
they did not consider that he should
refuse-a man who had never fnltcrcd
duty either in time of peace or war:
one who had laid wounded and bleed
ing at Malvern Hill, and had never
faltered when called upon-could not
now. at this critical moment, refuse.
1t was his duty to accept and he felt
satisfied that he would not shirk that
duty.
Mr.. Crocker said:
Gentlemen, your words of kindness
have filed me with such feelings Of
gratitude that I cannot express NV
feelings to you. ] have always been
treated with the utmost courtesy since
nave been practicing at the bar. and
know should decide to accent that
you would be kindly disposed to me
and render such assistance as is nee
essary. but I must againd decline, as
l do not feel capable ut this time of
accepting the honor"
Captain Marshall said: "Maior we
insist upon your acceptance You can
not afford to refuse under the circum
stances especially when duty demands
that you accept" n
Major Croker then asked the meet.
ing IL they would give him two DAYS
to consider the question of acceptapce
as he would not like to accept and re-
gret it.
1t was the unanimous consent of the
meeting that he be given the time
asked. The meeting then adjourned
subject to the call OF the president
upon Major Crocker's acceptance or
declinntion.
After the adjournment the members
hocked around the Major and tried to
persuade him to accept and pointed Out
to him the necessity Of so doing.
TWAS FIRENfEN'S NIGHT.
Last night was the beginning of the
firemen's nights at the fair-room, and
n large crowd was in attendance. The