The Washington herald., 1907-08-18
Alexandria Judge Gives Up
Place on Circuit Bench.
TWO WOULD FILL VACANCY
John VI. Johnson and J. II. Il. Thorn
ton After Internationally Fight
May BE Affected-Iineman Is Killed
by FnlI-HOresmen Plan an Organ
izntiOn-WIn at Baseball.
WASHINGTON HERALD BUREAU,
CBeIl TeieDlone 69.1
7
SO King Street.


Alexandria, Va, Aug. 17.-Announee-
ment that Judge Louis c. Barley, of this
city, had rendered his resignation as
Judge of the Sixteenth judicial circuit
to take effect at once, was received here
this evening in the form of a telegram
from Gov. Swanson TO Delegate James
R. Cation.
The message informed Mr.. Cation of
Judge Barleys action. and notified him
that Gov. Swanson had appointed Mon
day as date for giving audience TO
those who wish to present the claims
of candidates for the position. At pres
ent there are only two avowed aspirants
for the judgeship-John NJ. Johnson, of this
city, and J. B. T. Thornton. of Manassas,
Prince William County. It Is understood
that the governor sent similar kilograms
to others prominently interested In be-
half of one or the other of the candi-
dates.
Intelligence Of the withdrawal OF Judge
Barley was received with much surprise
in this city. in view OF the repeated an
nouncements attributed TO the judge that
he had no intention OF retiring from the
circuit bench before his successor was
elected by the legislators. or. unless re-
quested by the governor to relinquish the
position. Only a few days ago. after
Judge Barley's departure from this city
on his vacation. It was positively asserted
by several Of his friends that there was
no prospect of his resigning.
Doubt Ak 10 Successor.
The situation with respect TO indorse-
ment of the candidates by the members
of the bar is now considerably compli-
Gated. In the first place, Mr.. Johnson was
| formally recommended by the bar asso-
citation OF Alexandra City and the coun-
ties Of Fairfax, Prince William, and Alex
andria, comprising the circuit But it is
said that "a number OF lawyers refrained
| from taking part in the original bar meet
| ings and recently united IN support OF Mr.
Thornton. Il is also asserted that some
! Of those who first Endorsed Mr.. Johnson
recently changed in favor OF Mr.. Thorn
I ton, particularly in Fairfax and Prince
/ William. in addition 10 the members of
/ the bar. Mr. johnson is backed by-a petit
/ lion OF more than 71 OF the leading cit
/ liens Of Alexandria City asking for his
! appointment.
Several friends Of Mr. Johnson this
/ evening expressed the belief that the gov
| erupr would not appoint their favorlte.
( They asseI I'd that politics had figured
1 conSpicuously 'n the situation, and
charged that the enemies Of Mr.. johnson
/ had adopted understand methods to secure
/ his rejection.
May Affect Senatorship.
The judgeship question. il is said. will
/ exert a marked influence in the fight for
/ the Democratic nomination for the State
/ senate, in which the contestants are Sen
ator Lewis H. Machen, Of this city. r.
! Ewell Thornton Of Fairfax. a brother OF
the Prince William candidate for the
/ judgeship, and Alexander J. Wedderburn.
also Of Fairfax. AS the main struggle
/ for the judgeship Will be made in the
| State legislature when the permanent
| election comes up. much interest centeTs
! about the attitude Of the candidates for
/ the Senate as between the two candidates
[ for the judgeship. 1t is. of course. as
/ suTned that Mr. Thornton would support
| his brother. So far as is known here.
! Senator Machen has not yet made any
/ public announcement Of his choice IN the
matter.
Judge Barley, who is judge of the local
/ Corporation Court, was temporarily des-
/ ignated TO the circuit bench last spring
when the position was made vacant by
the resignation Of Judge Charles E. Nicol,
! Of Manassas.