The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-01-12
RICHARD 6. WATTS
UN ou,W y W Johnson npa56MGH a6.My
Judge of Fourth Circuit Elected
Fourth Associate Justice.
House and Senate Pass Conflicting
Concurrent Resolutions as to
Time for Electing Chief
Justice.

Watts, of Chesterfield, Judge of the
Fourth circuit, was elected fourth
associate justice of the South Caro-
lima supreme court over Thomas B.
Fraser, of Sumter, the only other
nominee, Tuesday night at meet
ing of the joint assembly.
Judge Watts was nominated by
w. F. Stevenson. His nomination
was seconded by Senator Wharton,
Mr.. Dixon, Mr.. McGill, Mr.. Miller
and the Marlboro delegation.
Mr.. Fraser was nominated by
Senator Johnstone. His nomination
was seconded by Mr.. Dick, Mr..
Fultz, Mr.. Richardson, Mr.. Chan
dler and Mr.. Wingard.
The election of Judge Watts fills
the place provided for by the con-
stitutional amendment voted on
favorably by the qualified electors
OF the State and adopted by the
general assembly at later session.
Considerable laughter was caused
by split" in the delegation from
Union county. Mr.. Browning rose
and seconded the nomination of
Mr.. Fraser on behalf of the Union
delegation. A moment later Senator
Young, of Union. seconded the
nomination of Judge Watts in be-
half OF the Union delegation. "A
little later Mr.. Hamilton, also of
Union, seconded the nomination of
Judge Watts on his own behalf.
The house and senate were Of
ficially notified. Tuesday night by
the governor Of the resignation of
Ira B. Jones as chief justice of the
South Carolina supreme court.
:. SKETCH oE JUDGE WATTS. ,..y
The following sketch Of Richard
c. Watts, chosen fourth associate
Justice of the Supreme court Tues
day night, is copied from South
Carolina Bench and Bar" by Gen.
U. R. Brooks:
The subject of this sketch was
born in Laurcns on March l5, 1853,
and was the third son Of Mr.. and
Mrs. John Watts. He had the mis-
fortune to lose his father when u
few years old, but he had the good
fortune to enjoy the care and atten-
ton of his mother until after he
reached manhood.
He was admitted to the bar on
November %, 1873, under special
act of the legislature. He began the
practice of the law immediately
upon his admission as an attorney.
He was first associated in the prac-
tlce OF his profession with the late
Chief Justice Y. J. Pope, and for
six years the firm of Pope & Watts
continued, enjoying u lucrative
practice. In 1882 he was associat-
ed with Col. &. w. Ball and this
partnership continued until he was
elected Judge of the fourth circuit
on December l, 1898 and was COM
missioned to hold for four years,
from February Ia, 1894.
When elected Judge Of the fourth
| circuit, he at once removed to
Cheraw. Being already engaged in
planting in Chesterfield county, S.
| c., he was reelected Judge Of the
fourth circuit. and by successive
elections he has been retained Judge
Of the fourth circuit.
Ills SCHOOL RECORD.
Judge Watts received his educa
tion in Laurens academy and the
University of Virginia. He. .evi-
denced while at school very quick
mind, a generous nature, with great
powers OF concentration and with
all self assertion which enabled
him always to stand up for the
right. He made fast friends and
never lost them.
Az Judge he has always been
characterized by love of Justice, a
clear perception of legal principles,
a ready ANALYSIS of cases submitted
to him with great firmness in the
administration of the duties of a
Judge. AS one of the best evi-
dences of his firm stand as a first
class Judge. the people. of the State
through their representatives in the
legislature since his first election.
reelected him unanimously for four
successive terms. ,yndges.Wasts is
warm hearted and loyal to his
friends. He was fine lawyer and
is An excellent Judge. "Wednesday ;.
Gtofo -