The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-23

to rise from his sweet slumber and
again Breathe the air OF this dear ola
Commonwealth. it would taste so oii-
ferently than in former days that ne
would most likely reprimand his dis
turbers and close his eyes to the
fraud his ears to the running OF the
machine. close his nostrils to the pol
luted atmosphere. and protect MS
body from the effects Of hot grease
popping from machine politics that
would require a lifetime to rub on,
using a brush run by a hundred horse
power engine. applying his best brand
Of polish, Thomas Jefferson.
The campaign in its beginning gave
hopes OF being conducted on a clean
basis, but as victory was waning,
charges were launched, criticism was
INDUCED in. always forcing Mr.. Turn
bull. the incumbent. to defend himself
against these attacks
While campaigning Judge Watson
rightly said that "A public mans
record is public property and he SO
used his opponents to hts own satis-
faction. Now when he drinks of this
cup. even though IT may be bitter. let
him murmur not
While Judge Watson was on the
bench, a most atrocious crime was
committed near Church Road. Joe
Short being charged and indicted by
Dinwiddie grand jury for the murder.
his trial followed.
The best citizens OF the county
spared neither time nor money in traE-
cling and securing evidence, that we
might be protected against such an
outrage and to see the law prevail
At the trial Joe Short the prisoner.
had no counsel Every one interested
knew that IL the prisoner consented to
take the stand and be questioned. that
his conviction was assured. but in JUS
,ice to the prisoner. to the Common
wealth OF Virginia, and to his oath OF
office, Judge Watson. through duty.
told the prisoner that the law did not
REQUIRE him to testify unless he cared
to, and the prisoner. being shrewd.
caught tho benefit OF the Law and re-
fused to speak
The Jury acquitted the prisoner, ana
he walked free again. causing much
terror and uneasiness In the county.
This IL the record Of Judge watson $
rexard for law when a negro II being
tried for murder. the negro having
committed one Of the worst crimes
in the history Of Virginia
But soon the scene changes. In the
former case the people lost by seeing
the law enforced, but now Judge Wat
SON desires to 60 to Congress. and In
his speech at Petersburg on the 18th
q, September. he brings the negro into
notifies when no one else is thinking
about him. This on Its face does seem
| a little peculiar. when the negro vote
now is 50 small that Its actual count
would never elect . man in the Fourth
! District
In this speech he charged his op-
moment or his followers with soliciting
\ the negro vote, producing q letter as
his authority, although in the same
paper Mr.. Turnbull denied any know
! ledge OF the affair. and common sense
J causes me TO take Mr.. Turnbulrs word
! even II had any doubt from any
| other source. which ] have none
! Judge watsonIs remarks that fol-
lowed on this subject were In sub
stance the following: / have risked
nv public life on the soundness OF
| the negro question, and j would not
| accept a seat In Congress at the hanos
! Of negro votes and ! can speak with
I authority. and guarantee that not Q
! xinrle negro will be allowed 70 vete
| in Nottoway County.
/ Now remember that the same laws
that protected tho& murderer-Joe
! short-proseceed the rights Of these
other NEGROES. only they were law
] abiding citizens, and had been given
|! a rish, Of suffrage by the Constitution
| Of the United States. But at the ex-
pense Of the good people OF pinwid-
d,e- the law fer ehe negro Murderer
n enforced both 1n sp:r't and letter.
mt 70 help his own case he stands
before q large audience and advocetes