The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1907-08-01
Judge Mason's Letter.


common sense and high apprecia-
tion Of duty, as well as the right con-
ception OF the judiciary. AS he
states in the letter his circuit elect
ed him to the present Office he holds
without the slightest opposition. All
political parties united on him and
elected him unanimously. There
has been no enmity to him since in
his circuit. and every one has faith
in him and admires his judicial abil-
ity, whose Influence extends through
out the State and forms controlling
and regulating part in the admins
tration of the State laws. not alone
in his circuit but throughout the
State. He is right, when he says he
can not throw aside the high COM
pliment his people have paid him
and go actively into politics to seek
an office. which. from its very nature.
would result in opposition by a
large number who acquiesced in his
elevation to the present position he
holds.
This distinguished juiist also sees
no occasion for alarm. and, expresses
himself as confident the helpful
measures instituted by the Repub-
lican party will go forward making
West Virginia greater all the time,
and, Judge Mason is not alone, when
he declares there are several good
men in this State equal to the proper
and able discharge OF the duties OF
the governorship. He firmly be-
lieves there are many in his own
party who would fill the Office in the
most capable and satisfactory man
ner. Thus, he sees no urgent call
to him to lay aside the judicial err
mine.
Judge Mason emphasizes the posi-
ton advocated by the Telegram that
the judiciary should not be politics,
in the following:
Judges should keep out OF poll
tics. This is part of the common
law Of the State. II Judge wants
to go into politics he should resign
before doing so. He will then be
placed upon an equal footing with
other citizens and take no risks of
bringing his court into disrepute.
: The usefulness of a Judge is at an
end when he SO conducts himself or
permits himself to be surrounded by
such influences that litigants in his
court. may be justified in looking
outside of the record of the case for
reason for the decision
Nor. has Judge Mason any desire
to influence the public mind, when
he utters the following great truths
for the benefit of the people in gen
eral of this State, and none will say
that he has Intentionally undertaken
to prejudice one element in favor OF
another:
ITO be governor of ones State is
an honor worthy of any citizen. I'm,
less embarrassed by unfriendly or
unwise policies this State promises
to have long lease of unequaled
prosperity. 1t would be great
privilege indeed. TO be in position
to lead in this great work. Nor do
] underestimate the distinguished
honor of being placed at the head of
the Republican ticket of the State
The Republican party has had
most enviahle career. 1t has dictat-
ed the policies of this country dur
ing the periods of its greatest prog
ress. Its name will always lie asso-
ciated with most of the great events
OF this country"
The declinatlon on his part to be-
come candidate is so plain, so posi-
tive. so firm. that 1t eliminates him
from the campaign altogether. and
those who had counted on him, will
have to look elsewhere, and his own
words but confirm the contention by
many several weeks ago that he
would not be a candidate because
ne preferred 10 remain IN nus present
exalted position.
Fairmont papers commenting on
the declination of Judge Mason
claim that 1t will greatly strengthen
Charles W. Swisher's candidacy for
the gubernatorial nomination in
Marion county, as it will remove
from the minds of timid supporters
all doubt as to their actions and Mr..
swisher will feel the effect of more
pressure from his home county than
he would have noticed had the able
iurist entered the race or continued