Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1905-08-09
CORRESPONDENCE
A Card.
To the Voters of Clarke County:


was against one man holding office in
definitely; also against using illegal and
questionable means TO win votes: believ-
ing II was wrong 10 tempt the poor 70
sell for money the liberty which cost
their fOrefathers their life blood. or in
suit their manhood by trying 20 buy
them for drink of whiskey, and that
such plan would prevent any who
could not buy their way in, from holding
ONCE. Though a stranger 10 most Of
you, ! was received kindly and treated
courteOusly. I was defeated. though
change Of 81 votes in the 1850 cast would
have elected me- Encouraged by the
hattering vote I received from every
section Of the County, I again appear
before you as & candidate for the same
Office on the same platform. and as I
thought when I announced myself.
against the same candidate as before:
and for several days thereafter Mr..
Gibson was at the head Of the ticket and
votes had been solicited with Mr.. Nc
Cormick as Deputy, and the change was
only made upon the advice OF their
friends, who predicted defeat for the
ticket. II YOU remember, Mr.. Gibson
and his friends stated IN the former can
vass, that that would be the last time he
would be a candidate. and vet he comes
again and says he is poorer than when
first elected, thus proving the office is
not an advantage TO him. And do not
believe there is a voter who does not
think he would be happier and live
longer relieved Of the cares and respon-
sibilites Of the office, resting at his home.
cared for by those for whom he has pro-
vided so generously in the past. Mr..
Mccormick and his friends claim he
needs the Office" With home in
town, and farm in the country. with
his business ability, and backed by his
wealthy and influential friends. am
sure he viii not suffer. In my opponents
card he says Il state frankly that MI
John NJ Gibson will he my deputy"
Mr.. Gibson. in his card. uses practically
the same words. This is evidently meant
Tor either an apology for his being the
/ deputy, 10 ailay suspicion as TO who
might De. owing TO his delicate health.
+ or slap az me for not naming one with
my announcement will state as
I frankly as possible my experience in
this line. In my former canvass offer
cd either end OF my ticket to Mr.. Samuel
/ Mccormick. but he was committed 10
the other side and refused. I offered 10
let Mr.. Nell remain as Deputy, he 10
vote for NJ. Gibson and let the voters
10 as they wished; that was declined. 7
then offered the place 20 a prominent
young man. who wanted 10 accept. bu,
he was advised not 10 run with me. as he
was in line for a certain vacancy which
was expected. lie declined, the vacancy
/ occurred, but he did not get the place. as
one Of his advisers took il. showing the
move was made TO defeat ME and not "a
help him. That one trick in ring poll
{ tics lost me the Clerkship. knowing
how easily I could have won before with
a Deputy made me more anxious 20 have
one this time. Ny friends asked me 10
name a certain gentleman in the lower
end of the County who had been suE-
gesJed by several I offered him the
place, he declined, and repOr, saws he
was promised work for "a relative in case
of Vacancy which was expected. if
he would not run. \ very capable man
applied for the place, aud almost as soon
withdrew Lis application. learned
that he, too, had been provided for. I
learn from unQUestiOned authority shat
my opponent is specializing upon the
condition Of MI Gibson's health and has
promised the Deputyship conditionally
, Now, in a. much as my opponents make
so much of "frankness' in their cards. !
am sure it will not be asking too much
Of them 10 let the voters know who Is &c
serve them. I finally secured Mr. JOSEPH
W. Crown As my running mate, ant
friend and foe all speak well Of him
am sure he is not afraid Of work, as
, found him in field on a hot day a
work by himself in shirt sleeves an,
wearing overallS, making hay, and a
the most of Us are or have been "hay
seeds" l thought it good omen Tht
main objection the opposition use
against Us is incompetency and ineNper
fence | am sure I realize the impor
tant and responsible duties connecte,
- with the office, and do not claim for Nj
Crown and myself intelligence above tn
average, as my opponents indicate the
possess, but feel sure by sincere desir
10 please and conscientious effort W
will serve you satisfactorily ifyou homo
rs 10y an election. I am encouraged L
say this by the fact that many of n
u best business men in the County are Civ
e ing me their support. l am sure the
+ would not do this if they believed u
? lacking In intelligence. think sue
argument is not complimentary. to 81
the least, TO our people generally. as
{ am sure any practical business man q
n average intelligence and who writes
: legjble hand, can perform the duties c
this Office. But 10 accept their argumer
as true would it not be better to let NJ
Crown and myself learn before the.
gentlemen leave this vale Of tears? NJ
q opponents make these assertions, know
J, ing Mr. Gibson's physical inability
perform lis duties, and Mr. McCOrmil
lleaves the office in strange hands to 9
of hunting votes. "Oh, Consisteuc