Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1909-03-17
Judge Mall'S Candidacy.


LbAAOh Aol klEk-
have delayed handing YOU this note.
hoping that some ADLER pen than mine.
would reply 10 the editorial anent The
candidacy Of Judge VIM. II Mann for
Governor, published in your issue Of
February l., and the other articles of
similar import since published. but the
wrong impression created 10y such writ
ings, with those who do not know the
high character of this candidate. is un.
just 10 him, and should be corrected
Consequently 1 ask little space. and
base my request on the fact. that among
your subscribers are many. many friends
Of this gentleman, and upon The further
fact that you have generally followed
the old policy of the CoURIEE. estsb-
lished before you took charge. and al-
lowed a fair expression OF al views in
public matters.
/ wish then TO state al the outset. that
do not intend 10 reflect in any way
upon Judge Mann's distinguished oppo-
nent for the high office 10 which he A.
pires; but with that qualification. want
10 say that in my humble Judgment, no
higher, ADLER, or more patriotic man thsn
NouOwsy's candidate ever asked the
sutIrages of Nirginias Democracy for
the Governorship.
Statesmen come and Statesmen 20.
Some owe their success TO an astute
knowledge Of politics. Some owe il 90
their personality, their power 10 catch
and entertain and hold the public fancy
Some owe it 20 power Of organization
but the success awaiting Judge Mann in
the coming Democratic primary Will be
due 10 tie conscientious service he ha,
rendered his fellow men.
! DO not think for a moment that an,
man who has even mediocre knowled.,
OF public affairs in this State in the re-
cent past will take the editorial referred
to seriously; and it is just as unlikely
that any man who has had the honor {,
serve with Judge Mann in the lecis.a
ture-be he Democrat or Republican,
will for a minute lend his sanction &,
any statement that discredits his RECORD
in the General Assembly, or in any wa,
reflects on his character then or now
But there are those who 30 not know
Judge Mann, and 10 them l would bea,
humble testimony for just whateye
weight IL might have.
His record in the legislature was
most enviable one for bravery. patriot
ism, honesty, unseldShneSs, industry. in
,egrity and persi>tency of purpose. and
for final accomplishment and effective
ness in the bet,erment and help of hi
fellow Citizens in this State. il stand
without superior since the period o
our Colonial history. when the Govern
ment was first formed.
He was the hesd and forefront Of
tremendous movements for the mora
uplift and betterment Of social condi
tions in this State, and his efforts wer
partially crowned with success in tb
final passage Of his bill-emasculated 81
it wss-and so Familiarity known TO 81
Of Us as the Mann Bill
We have seen Judge Mann. when th
prospects of success for his measure
were very slim, battling almost singh
handed and alone in titanic struggl
! against seemingly inSuperable odds: w
have seen him take up the cudgels An.
struggle on from one fight 20 snothe.
with varying success to the final psSSaC
of his measure. We have seen some O
those acclaimed as the brightest mind
in Virginia fall before his logic. his en-
thusiasm, and the moral force Of hi
militant philanthropy. And il is thi
Grand Old Confederate with his Lcart @
Oak, and his record of unseltlsh en-
deavOr, who in the writings referred q
is sought 10 be pointed ont as a partne
of fraud; man of improper corporat
connections; Senator, whose seat in th
, Senate was under cloud. and one VIII
/ failed to perform his duty in the Rhe
investigation.
First, as 10 the charges Of fraud i
l connection with his seat in the Senat,
it has been shown that the duplicate r.
turns and poll books in the election q
1899 were stolen from the Clerks Ollie
in Nottoway County, on the night Of "a
5 second day after the election, 10y som
I thieves, evidently in the employ Of Judg
Mann's enemies Fortunately, however
. the Commissioners of election had me