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

understand, and il appeared unlikely that
Judge Barley would lend himself to a
scheme to effect his own elimination. |
could not imagine what circumstances or
what influences could change this situa-
ton and therefore thought the contest
would be wholly in the legislature.
Then came Mr.. Thornton's appoint
ment. Then efforts were made to induce
me to say would support the Cover
nor's appointee. And / said that though
the Governors choice was entitled TO
weight and consideration aud might,
under some conditions, be highly per-
suasive, it was not conclusive. The con-
stitution left the election with the legis-
lature, a coordinate branch of the gov
eminent, and though the legislature in
such cases usually ratiies The Governors
choice, it does not always do so. For in
stance, Judge Moomaw, of Roanoke,
who had been appointed by Governor
Montague, was defeated for the election
BY the legislature at its last session.
do not know to what extent, if any,
the Thorntons were aware Of these ef-
forts to induce me to declare for Judge
Thornton, but know that / was given
almost positive assurances, by men In
whose word have absolute confidence,
that if would declare for him Mr..
R. f. Thornton could be gotten out Of
the race for the senate. Again | re-
piled that thought | could defeat Mr..
Thornton possibly in Prince William,
probably in Fairfax and certainly in
Alexandria city aud county, where ne
was scarcely known personaly or other
wise to more than few dozen voters.
But added that l would rather be
defeated for every Office TO which l
might ever aspire than to win by means of
any deal, bargain or understanding what
ever, and that the judgeshiP, above every
thing should not be made football OF
politics. And 80 | remain now, as l
was at the beginning, free to discharge
my duty to the district, if am elected,
in manner which may seem right and
proper when the time comes for action.
II may be that there will be only one
candidate who, of course, will be elected.
1t is possible that Judge Thornton may
not aspire for the election. Mr.. john
con has not publicly announced that he
will contest for the prize. He has
simply declined to say that he would not
be- in the race. What said first | say
last: wish to be free to consider care
fully and fully the qualifications Of
those who may be aspirants at the
time. / have refused to heed any threat
or inducement. / have declined ia
be cajoled or drsgooned or bedevilled
into espousing the cause of this man
or that. If the people like my
independent position they will doubtless
re-slect me. Otherwise, they may defeat
me. In either event l should have the
consciousness of having done my duty as
| see it."
At the conclusion of Mr.. Machen's
answer there was much applause and
many expressions Of approval.
Mr.. Wedderbufn arose and said were
he elected he would vote for the man a
majority of his constituents preferred,
and would ascertain their wishes by a
primary before casting his vote. Iflet,
however, to bis personal choice in such
primary he would vote for John M.
Johnson. This brought forth great sp-
plause.
The meeting later adjourned.
The audience seemed to be tickle. At
times Mr.. Machen received vociferOus
and long-continued applause, but many
of Mr.. Wedderburn's utterances brought
forth equally IS much applause, and both
candidate seemed 10 WELD power which
swayed their hearers
The two candidates seemed at loss
for sn issue on which to conduct their
campaign, and there was more pleasantly
displayed than argument or logic.