The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-03-30
Gard Fron NJ Ashby.

The card Of Mr.. James Ashby an
nouncing himself a candidate for the
clerkship OF Stafford county and circuit
courts. appears in these columns today.
In explanation Of his candidacy, he
publishes the following
There being in circulation a report
that withdrew from the candidacy Of
the county clerkship in 1898 because OF
offers held out 60 me by the present IN
cumbent Of the Office, and wishing 70
act those right who know ME so little
Az 10 believe this rumOr, | make the
following statement of facts IN regard
70 my appointment as deputy clerk
In the spring and summer OF 1892
the year before the election for county
clerk, l was continually urged by
numerous friends and voters TO become
a candidate. for the office. Having
never thought Of the matter before, and
having no political aspiration, | gave
the subject little thought There were
about this time certain leading Demo
cratic politicians, forbear 20 name
them for reasons best known TO them
selves, who strongly favored my oppo-
nent. and l being eloquently inpor-
timed and advised by one OF these-a
man OF influence and sbility-to make
some arrangement with MI. Bryan and
NOT come out as q candidate. Under
this pressure, l took his advice. But
| after thinking over the matter, Wa
convinced that any such arrangement
was a deception and wrong. l rode tc
the Court House a short time after thi:
and told Mr.. Bryan | thought they hao
done wrong in persuading me to make
| anv such agreement, and | would not
consent 20 be q party to deception o.
that kind. or words TO that effect. H'
appesrsd TO agree with me fully, snc
readily consented to cancel this agree
ment. which was done then and there
| Now. as TO my being rendered lneIi
| gible. In December, '92, Mr.. Bryan
sent a gentleman 10 my school nous
with q polite note requesting me 70 en-
ter the bearers name upon the regis
! tration book. A short time after thi
another similar note requesting trans
fer for the bearer Il being registrar
for the Court House precinct), according
TO the registration laws OF Virginia
mo person who acts az registrar shai
be eligible to an Office to be filled b,
election by the people at the next cleo
ton thereafter " / was busy with m.
school when these polite notes were re
ceiyed and suspected no trick. conse
ouently readily complied and thereb,
rendering myself ineligible 70 an.
county Office. | got Attorney Genera
Soott's opinion, in which be 30 decid
ed. and being advised by friends AM
leading men Of the county, reluctant
~ withdrew. Mr.. Bryan was so elste'
over the success Of his scheme that h
volunteered to give me work IN tn
clerks office Being needy, with
large family on my hands, and wishin
10 fsmiliarize myself with the duties
the Office, / accepted, qualifying a
deputy clerk some time in "a, think
attended the office on court day
and Saturdays till February. 1897, whe
Mr.. Bryan was taken sick and sent to
me TO come down ana take entii
charge. which did until his recover
last summer.
In iustice to myself, deem it neceI
q sarv 10 make this statement, for / d
NOS think / would deserve the suppol
~ the honest citizens Of our good Of
g county were 1 guilty Of any deceptio
by which the people are fooled.
The foregoing recital of facts 10 q
truth touching this matter. and II
were on my death bed ] would N
s hesitate to subscribe TO every item.
Up TO this time Mr.. Bryan has not
the most remote manner spoken to n
4 concerning the coming spring electit
IS nor To him. 1t is generally know
J, that | will be a candidate for Il
d county clerkship, and l want to q
:. right here that there shall be no coll
- sion or ENHANCEMENT with any one,
l. James Ashby.