The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-11-16
JUDGE ss1 N %
Aspires to Rep
Virginia Disl = =
portant e
Has


II I C v A., Special
Judge Wa TX. Watson, of the
Fourth Jqe i Circuit, who recently
through tn Eitdona and dignity with
which he PRESIDED az the Beattie trial.
dacy ffr Congress- -1Tthe Fourth Dis
trict ~ succeed representative Rob
ert Tarnbull. of BrG1swick county.
In the formal statement issued by
Judge watson he says he will retire
from the bench as soon as certain
business pending in his courts is dis
posed Of. He takes occasion. too. to
emphasize the fact that he is a citi-
zen or Nottoway county, although the
( recent illness of a relative has latter
~ compelled him to spend much of
his time in Chesterfield.
Judge Watson's statement is as fol-
/ lows:
The state of affairs in the nation.
the desertion of the trusts by a Re
publican President for the first time
! in a generation, the rise OF the in
Surgents, threatening the disruption of
thelr party; the unceaSing disturbance
OF business. consequent upon unset
tied financial policy, and popular ma
JOrltles adverse to the administration
In widely separate parts of the coun-
/ try, encourage the hope that at no
oistant day the people will restore
thelr Government to more friendly
hands, to be administered upon
steadier, sounder and more demo
cratic principles.
Whether this forecast be wise or
deluslVe, certain il is we approach
an era of important and far-reaching
Federal legislation. and the opportu-
nifty seems near when something of
practical and perhaps of lasting value
may be achieved for our people in
the halls of Congress. This opportu-
nifty and the desire to render the pub
TIC some service in a more active and
constructive field, coupled with the
kindly assurance OF a large portion of
the people in the district, have in
duced me to consent to sever my re-
lations with the bench, where for
seven years ] have labored faithfully.
II not well, and to announce that at
the primary of next year / shall Of
fer myself to the SURFACES of my fell
low citizens as candidate for Con-
gress.
To Resign JudgeShip.
unwilling while occupying Judi
cial station to engage in person upon
a political canvass. as soon as the un-
nniShed business OF the courts which
cannot be suddenly dropped without
cost and delay TO the people, may be
concluded. and IL otherwise seems ap-
propriate to begin personal canvass
for the nomination. | shall resign the
judicial office. Meanwhile | must CON
hde my interests TO the keeping Of
| personal and political friends. but for
whose generosity I should not be able
TO take this, to ne. most important
step. II to some this announcement
appear premature, months having to
elapse before nomination is to be
made, they may indulge the seeming
I haste in view of the fact that the in
cumbent Mr.. Turnbun. has seen fit
10 inaugurate his candidacy for pc
election many months ahead OF the
| customary a. loan
has already been twice elected TO Con-
gress. and his present term does not
expire until March (. 1919. no reflec-
ton upon nor lack Of cOnsiderat ton
for him could be implied in the can
didacy of another for a third term.
! to begin more than year hence.
AS 10 redistricting. l regret my
name should have been connected in
the press with any proposal TO change
unduly the bounds of the congress
sional district. 1 trust il is unneces-
sary to say no scheme Of reapportion-
ment for personal ends, and not based
| on the public need and convenience
would have my sanction. Mindful that
our district is lacking in population,
as disclosed by the recent census. and
the General Assembly may decide we
should take additional territory, our
people are ready to welcome what
ever county the public eXigency and
the consent Of its own people may
1 SCnQ US.
Il suppose the fact is generally
known that I was born, reared and
have lived all my life in Nottoway
county. and therefore am not as re-
Gently published i'm 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 its
people"
In years past Judge Watson has
been frequently urged to stand for
Congress. as he is widely known and
popular in the Fourth District. More
over. he has long been prominent in
public affairs.
Should Judge Watson resign before
the adjournment of the Legislature
ms successor on the bench will he
chosen by that body. Otherwise the
Governor will appoint. Judge Wat
sons present term does not expire
until February l, 1916.
Representative Turnbull. whom
Judge Watson will oppose for Con-
gresS. has been prosecuting his cam
paign since the September primary.