Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1908-05-09
Rev Replies to Wescott.

MIR. Editor:-Owing to the continual
nagging and pounding at me by Me-.
Wescott and his friends, l am COM
PEELED again to ask for a little space
in the columns of your valuable paper.
In your last weeks issue there APP
peared an "open letter" from N. b.
Wescott, ESQ, to Mr.. Quinby, Editor
of the Accomack News, with an am
davit of Mr.. James II. Miles appended
both of which | note, especially Mr.
Miles sworn statement. In passing
however, l want to say that it strikes
me as entirely gratuitous for Mr.. Yves
colt to lug in and exploit his concep,,
ton of man occupying Juoiclai
position. He appears to be orthodox;
/ resent though the implication that
entertain views contrary to his ex-
pressed lofty ideals. His reflections
and observations as far as they refer
to me are matters of absolute mar
terence. l say this respectfully.
| have no regrets to make, nor
APOLOGIES to offer, for not supporting
MIR Wescott. | did not encounter any
spontaneous popular demand for his
elevation to the beuch. | did though
observe a pretty carefully canvasseo
demand. Now as to the sworn state
ment of Mr.. Miles l wish to say thai
I have known Mr.. Miles since my
boyhood and have the highest regaro
for his honesty, and believe MIN IN
capable of swearing falsely or inten'
tionally placing me in false, and al
once awkward and stupid position,
but that he was plainly mistaken II
his statement of our conversation
most positively assert. 1t is quite
within the range of things human tC
misunderstood misconstrue or JUMP
at conclusions.
acknowledge the interview witt
Messrs. Miles and Savage, which was
not at my instance or suggestion,
theirs and Mr.. Wescott's entirely
they came to my office and requested
me to support Mr.. Wescott. tolt
them that, Judging from the people
whom ! had talked with and hearC
'front.' believed majority of the PEG
pie of the county were for Mr.. Mears
| pointed out to them the letters upor
my desk endorsing Mr.. Mears. Th'
conversation relating to DR.. Ayre
was suggested entirely by Mr. Miles,
ne intimating to me that he had beer
informed that my opposition to Mr.
Wescott was because | thought hi
(Wescott) would remove DR.. Ayres
Nv reply was that DR. Ayres was anC
had been a strong personal and politi
cal friend of mine and naturally
would not desire to see him remove;
whoever might be elected Judge anC
it would be a source of pleasure to m'
for him to be retained by whOmsOevel
elected. l made, however, absolutely
no offer of deal and did not intenC
my remarks to be so misunderstood
in fact, at that time, l, together Will
the majority of the Accomack bar
had endorsed the candidacy of Mr.
Mears two or three days before thi
Interview and Mr.. Mears had my sig
nature to bis petition IN his pocket.
had also before this interview gone K
Hampton and used my efforts will
my friend, Houston, to get him to sup
port Mears and had there in the pres
ence of several members of the Hamp
ton bar stated that | was opposed K
Mr.. WescOtt. | state these facts t.
show the absurdity of me attempting
to make deal at that stage of thu
contest. Should | have been so con
temptible, after endorsing Mears anC
seeing Houston, as to have undertaken
to make a deal with Mr.. Wescott Il
protect DR.. Ayres in his position, doe
any sane man think l would not hav,
seen him personally instead of ped
ding such a proposition around a
promiscolsly as this seems to be?
The truth of the matter is DR.. Ayre
never asked me to approach any gen
tleman, who was a candidate, in hi
| interest, nor did ever do so for him
supported 'Ir. Mears and he will tel
any one that l never discussed tn
matter of DR.. Ayres' position wit
him.
1t may be possible that in some wa,
Mr.. Miles got the impression from on
rather long and informal talk that
Mr.. Wescott would agree to retail
DR.. Ayres, | would support him 70
Judge, although can conceive 0
none. But, of course, | cannot dis
cuss his understanding with him. Il
Justice to myself I most positivel.
deny that made any promise to an.
man, or set of men, to support MI
Wescott in return for any concession
whatever.
l append hereto an affidavit of Mr.
E. J. Savage, who was present during
| the entire conversation mentione'
IL L. - =,
tegrity and one of the leading citizen
of Metompkin District, which bear
out and supports my statement o
what was said at that time. In con
clusion let me say that 1 have don,
nothing in this judgeship contest tina
l am not willing to face my constitu
ents with and will do so at the prope
time, and | now leave the matter il
the hands of an unbiased public.
Yours very truly,