Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-09-07
MEETING LAST NIGHT.


Lewis Il. MacEen and Mr.. A. J. We'd
derburn, who Is q candidate for the
formers seat. The gallery was partly
filed by ladies who seemed to enjoy the
addresses of the two candidates which
at times we're spirited. An orchestra
eDliYened the occasion. Comparatively
good order prevailed.
Mr.. Charles Bendheim, chairman OF
the city democratic committee, presided
and introduced The speakers.
When the two candidates appeared on
the stage there was considerable applause.
Mr.. Machen was first introduced, and
spoke for about an hour. Most Of his
address was in humorous vein. To-
ward the close he appealed t., his hear
ers to examine closely his senatorial rec
ord, and called attention to the fact
that it was customary to give State
Senators In this district a second term.
The speaker declared himself in favor
of the reduced railroad rates promul-
gated by the State corporation commits
siop, expressed the belief that the courts
would uphold the authority of the COM
mission in the matter, but in case OF
the contrary decision, he advocated the
adoption of measures by the legislature
10 make the findings OF the commits
sion 10 the premises imperative.
He advocated the abolition Of the tax on
physicians, and said he was in favor Of
increasing the length of the sessions of
the legislature from sixty to ninety days.
He also said that he had been blacklist
ed by the Anti-Ssloon League because he
had refused at the last session of the leg
islature to take up oct or order certain of
Judge Mann's resolutions on the liquor
question. The speaker said that he was
not 10 favor of State Prohibition. He
told OF the labOTs, physical and mental,
necessary In order to finish The business
during the present short session. He
also said several hundred bills died on
the calendar last session, there being no
time to consider them.
Referring to Mr.. R. Ewell Thornton,
of Fairfax county, another candidate for
the nomination, Senator Machen said
that so far as he snd Mr.. Wedderburn
knew, he might be hunting jack-rabbits
and coOns in the backwoods, as he had
never participated in any Of their meet
ings.
When Mr.. Wedderbnrn arose the APP
plsuse he received showed that he had
many friends in the audience. Mr.
Wedderburn began bis speech iu an ex-
cited and determined manner, and with
out entering into any preliminsries bold
ly attacked Mr.. Machen's senatorial
record and said that he had virtually
accomplished nothing while In the legis-
latnre. He had succeeded in getting Two
bills through the body, but by neglect
ing to have them properly entered upon
the journals of the two houses they had
been declared invalid. He expressed his
opposition to lawyers predcminsting in
legislative bodies for the purpose, he
said, "of making laws to make business
for the lawyers" Referring to psmph-
let that had been distributed through
the Opera House, and which Mr.. Machen
said he bad read, but had been unable to
name, Mr.. Wedderburn said "that con-
tains my record and my platform, two
things that my competitor hasn't got. Z"
The speaker promised to use his individ-
ual efforts In behalf of Alexandria should
he be elected, and appealed TO his hearers
10 take an inventory of his previous laborS
in behalf of the city. At the close of
bis speech he Intercepted Mr.. Machen
as to his choice for circuit judge. The
latter was non committal, although some
in the audience we're anxious for him to
announce his preference, and so ex-
edfhemselves.
Atthe conclusion OF Mr.. Wedderburn's
speech Mr.. Machen, who had been chal-
lenged to define his position upon the
judgeship, arose and said he was perfect
ly willing to stste frankly his position
upon this question. There was con-
siderable confusion at this time and cries
of "tel us how you stand" and CHATS
what we want to know" Two or three
gentlemen, who are said to De from Prince
William county, we're especially vOclfer-
GUS. One of these said "Tell us row;
be a man," TO which Mr.. Machen re-
Piled 81 think my manhood will stand
any test which the gentleman may pro-
pose" at which there was demonstrs-
ton of applause. Mr.. Machen then
stated his position earnestly and clearly
and though there was much applause
there we're no further Interruptions.
Mr.. Machen said in part: Gas soon as
Judge Nicol resigned was solicited to
sign q petition for the appointment of
Mr.. johnson. This 1 declined to do,
saying that as | would probably be called
upon next January to vote in the legis-
l,tive caucus for the judge, | wished to
be free TO vote for the beet man available
at the time and that | did not think it
right TO try to influence the appointment
OF any man or to tie my hands so far in
advance in any manner. Twas told that
if l did not declare for Mr.. Johnson |
would probably have opposition. I said
that could no! be frightened into what
1 deemed wrong position BY a threat of
opposition.
Later my partner, Mr.. Moncure, was
spoken of for the place, but declined
to commit myself to him for the reason
already stated. Nearly two months ago
Mr.. Moncure Withdrew from the race
and announced that for business reasons
be would be unwilling to accept either
the appointment or the election.
subsequently, | was told that Hon. j.
B. I. Thornton would probably be sp-
nninie1 indne and that IL / did not an