The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1912-08-15

An Open Letter
By Friend in Defense of judge L. X, Watkins
To the Voters Of the Second Supreme Court District

To the Voters Of the Second Supreme Court District:
am well acquainted with Judge L. K. Watkins and
knowing him and his record lawyer and character
private citizen have espoused his cause and feel duty
him candidate and to show the falicy
OF the objections made his candidacy for the Supreme Court
by the Supporters OF Judge Land and the issued
from his HEADQUARTERS. Why they go far to
make appear that Judge Watkins as competent
Judge Land for the position because Judge
so long on the Court This test of fitness and
Judge Watkins has had four experience Appellate
Judge against Judge Lands nine years. stands
reason that an active practitioner the fresh from the
practice before the trial Courts will bring vgor
and experience in the decision of than Appellate
Judge who has long perhaps forgotten all he knew
about the real surrounding the trial
Them they try to make appear that Judge Land has the
support OF the lawyers, but the lawyers eectng
Judge this me and if they were, Judge Watkins has the
friendship and support individually of practically all of them
in this district AT least there but few opposing him and
these pessonal friends relatives of Judge Land.
There is general demand for Judge Land
on the Court at his advanced He defeated that
issue and the theory that he should
the Court because Judge Hall did accept the position
myth The is to all and there
sound why Judge Watkins should the po
stion, and good reasons why he should be elected
But the opposition suggests that Judge Watkins has for
feed his right to this promotion by resgnng his position
Judge Of the Court Of Appeals and should
this This is the first time sacrifice duty has
been urged for defeat and this is the total of
Judge Watkins act in resgnng the position. Those who
know the facts and those who elected him the office make
complaint against him. His duties called him away from
home and family where his wife and children needed him and
the fact that he obtained good fees after retiring the
practice does not deact from the noble impulses that made
him resign this honor and the chance of election again with
out opposition The place filled appointment and there
was necessarily, cost attached to filling the vacancy
Oh! But they urge that Judge Watkins has big prac
ce lawyer and does need the Office The are
that he has only the practice of country lawyer country
town make living Of for his family No property
cept nice house live and investments income
at all Judge Land the contrary has had the salary of
Judge for eighteen and having family dependent
him and all his and brother, holding seeking jobs
in this election does not need the salary Just what his bank
account is not De well asceaned but have Investigated
and know personally that he has $4,000 in real in
Shreveport and has sold property that city within the last
few years the of S3 $1,000 have data
other Investments and sales in New Orleans md where
The real issue is the of ability of the candidate
full term of twelve years with credit themselves
and safety to the litigants.
Let the voters settle this issue. Old age impair
Judge Watkins usefulness and the possibility OF pension
being paid him does in his Securing
service for full term least cost the point be considered
Respectfully bUECu LEE
Minden, La, August ~, 1912