The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-20
GOVERNOR WILL
NAME THORNTON
Prince William Lawyer Almost
Certain to Succeed Judge
Nicol.
LIBRARY BOARD TONIGHT
Will Probably Choose Assistant.
Governor Leaves to Meet
Prince Wilhelm.

Governor Swanson left yesterday foI
the jamestown Exposition, where hi
goes to meet Prince Wilhelm of Swe.
den The Governor win entertain the
distinguished Prince at a dinner az
! Cid Point tonight, and will resurn
here Tomorrow
The day was a very busy one for Els
Excellency. He received n number OF
| gentlemen who came to talk over tn,
judgeship situation in the Sixteenth
District. 1t will be recalled that judge
Louis G. Bailey, of the Corporation
Court OF Alexandria City. who was des-
| ignated by the Governor to serve in
stead of Judge Charles e. Nicol (re-
signed). until the converting of the
| Legislative has asked to be relieved.
and an appointment will have to be
made. Though the Governor is not say
| ing positively who he will name, there
is strong impression in circles close
to him that the honor will fall to Hon.
j. 3. T. Thornton, OF Prince William.
The other asplrant is Mr.. John NJ.
Johnson OF Alexandria City. Both
candidates fled their Endorsements yes
tcrday. and the Governor heard a NUM-
Der of gentlemen in their respective In
terests. He announced just before
leaving the city that he would take
tile matter up and dispose of it upon
his return.
Indicates Purpose.
The Governor said he had written
the friends of both candidates that all
other things being equal, If a majority
OF the bar in the rural sections of the
circuit Endorsed county lawyer, lie
would be inclined to name him over an
applicant from the city. He did this
Mthe case of Judge Prentis's successor,
for the reason the cities all have judges
Independently of those on the circuit
bench. and he holds that the COUNT
districts should have Judge as near
as Is possible for the transaction of
business in vacation. 1t is believed
trat this almost certainly indicates the
appointment of the Prince William
man. Mr.. Thornton is regarded as !,
strong lawyer, and n man OF peculia.
judicial temperament. He has been
commemorative Attorney of Prince
William county for many years. and
ton In the recent Constitutional Con-
vention. Mr.. Thornton in his Younger
days practiccd his profession in Ya.oo
CITY. Miss, and was during that period
law partner of Hon. John Sharp VIII
liams. who has recently been nominated
by the Democrats of his State for
United States Senator. Mr.. Thornton
a.
t1onal learning. and his supporters de- |
clare he will make an ideal judicial
officer.
Library Board.
The State Library Board will meet
in the office of Librarian McIlwaine
at o'clock tonight for the transac-
ton of important business. This Will
be the first meeting OF the body since |
the former librarian, Mr.. j. p. Ken
yif cd T.
pected that among other important
business disposed of will be the selec-
ton of an assistant librarian. to sue
coed Mr.. p. S. Evans. resigned. MOL
further changes in the library force
seem to be contemplated at this time
and the outlook for harmony and
united action, both in the board and
seems to be able to forecast the name
Of the new assistant Librarian. and it
Is barely possible that he may not be
chosen tonight. There are strong in
iications, however. that he Will be,
and that he Will take Office at once.
officials Won't Talk.
The sweeping report of the joint
auditing committee, made public on
was the subject of much com
nent in official circles yesterday. but
no one whose department was criti-
clHeu would DISCUSS the matter fOri
There is one thing certain in con-
nection with the report, and that is, If
the coming Legislature pays any at
.ention to the findings and recommen-
aations of the committee. the creation
VI bureau OF audit and the adoption
Of uniform system of accounting are
practically assrred. These matters
have long been agitated In the Legisla-
lure, bus they have never been SO
sharply brought to the attention of the
tody as they win be In the report just
Governor Swanson said yesterday
before leaving the city that upon his
return here he would take UP the appli-
cation of the Alexandra county negro
who is sentenced to hang on August u
30th for criminal assault, and who is
asking that his sentence be commutedI
to life imprisonment. Che GOVERNOR
said he had wired Attorney James e.
he had any other evidence
favorable to his client to bring 1t to
Richmond this week.
Among the Governors callers yes
terday was Mr.. M L. Shackleford. a
lawyerssof Fremont. o.. who Is for-iL
mer Virginan. Mr. Shackleford was
d schoolmate of Governor Swanson at
Macon Academy, and dropped
In to see his old friend on his way
home from the Jamestown Exposition.