The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-05
Jurist to Discard Erminc for Po-
litical Battle, Which He and
His Friends Hope Will Make
Him Representative From
Fourth Virginia Dis
trict.
Special to The rimes-Dispatcb

tativc Robert Turnbuli, of Nottoway.
Judge Watson also announced that
when certain business now pending in
his court had been disposed of he would
resign from the bench.
In his statement Judge Watson makes
some apology for sucn early announce
ment OF his candidacy. saying that he
has felt called on to take the course
which he has adopted because Of tn.
fact that Representative TurnbuiI al
ready has undertaken his campaign for
reelection Judge Watson discusses
the proposition 10 add Chesterfield
county 10 the Fourth District declaring
in effect that he had nothing TO do
with such q scheme. He also notices
the statement made heretofore that he
was not now resident of the district.
lie says that he is a citizen of MOTTO
way. where he was born. but that the
illness of a relative had compelled him
TO spend much OF his time latterly In
Chesterfield.
Formal Announcement
Judge Watson's statement follows:
The state of affairs in the nation,
the desertion of the trusts by Repub-
lican President for the first time in q
generation, the rise OF the Insurgents,
threatening the disruption of their
party; the unceastng disturbance OF
business. consequent upon unsettled
financial policy. and popular matorities
adverse TO the administration in widely
separate parts OF the country, encour-
age the hope that at no distant day the
people VIII restore their government 10
more friendly hands. to be administered
/ upon stesdier, sounder and more Dem
ocratic principles.
Whether this forecast be wise or
delusive, certain II is we spproach ait
era of important and far-reaching Fed
eral legislation. and the opportunity
nf
teal and perhaps of lasting value may
be achieved for our people in the halls
of Congress. This opportunity and the
desire TO render the public some ser
vice in q more active and constructive
field, coupled with the kindly assurance
OF large portion of the people in the
district. have induced me 10 consent
TO sever my relations with the bench
where for seven years 1 have laborcd
faithfully. II not well, and 10 announce
that at the primary OF next year shall
offer myself 10 the suffrages of my
fellow citizens as a candidate for Con-
greSE
VIII Leave Bench.
Unwilling while occupying judicial
station to engage in person upon a
political canvass. as soon as the I'M
finished business OF the courts. which
cannot be suddenly dropped without
cost and delay to the people, may be
concluded. and It otherwise seems ap
propriate to begin a personal canvass
Tor the nomina ton, / shall resign the
judicial office. Meanwhile I must con-
tide my interests to the Keeping OF per-
sonal and political friends. but for
whose generosity | should not be able
10 take this, TO me, most important
step. If to some this announcement APP
pear premature, months having to
elapse before nomination Ia to be
made. they may indu sc the seeming
haste in view OF the fact that the in
cumbent Mr.. Turnbull, has seen ht to
inauguratc his candidacy for re- election
many months ahead of the customary
time. AS the incumbent has already
been twice elected to Congress, and his
present term does not expire untn
March 4. 1918, no reflection upon nor
implied in the candidacy of another for
third term. to begin more than a year
hence.
"As to redistricting, regret nv
name should have been connected in
the press with any PROPOSAL to change
unduly the bounds OF the congressional
district. ! trust il Is unnecessary TO
say no scheme of reapportionment for
personal ends. and not based on the
public need and convenience would
have my sanction. Mindful that our
district is lacking In population, al
disclosed by the recent census, and
the General Assembly may decide we
should take additional territory, our
people are ready to welcome whatever
county the public exigency and the
consent OF its own people may send
us.
II suppose the fact is generally
known that I was born. reared and
have lived ell my life In Nottoway
county, and therefore am not as re-
Gently published In one OF the papers.
a citizen of Chesterfield However, on
account OF the frequent illnesses of
invalid members of my family, I have
lately found it necessary to pass
portion of my time in Chesterfield
county, and am much attached to it's
people"
Often Suggested for Congress
For seven years. even prior to the
death OF Representative Francis Rives
Lassiter. the name of Judge Watson
has been suggested by many of his
friends in connection with the nomina-
ton for Congress. His high rank as
Jurist and his host of personal ac-
quaintances brought him into tho
public eye. and many people have seen
in him probability for a life OF poli-
teal service. He has always taken
the keenest interest in public affairs
Upon tho death of Mr. Lassitor,
Judge Watsons name was frequently
heard as a possible candidate for the