French Broad hustler and Western Carolina Democrat. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1915-1916, 1916-03-02
AT THE SERVICE
OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTI
RutherfOrdton Judge Not Seeking
Nomination But VIII Run Against
Britt Duty Demands.

"a ~
Marion, March 2.-Below will be
fopnd the correspondence between
Messrs. Justice and GiIkey, which
settles the matter of Judge Justices
candidacy Judge Justice held court
here last week. In an interview WITH
your correspondent he stated THAT his
position was clearly set forth in his
letter to Mr. Gilkey and that for the
present he had nothing further to saJ.
The claim for Judge Justice as Sc
forth in Mr. GiIkey's letter can hardly
be disputed, and his host of friends
believe that he will be nominated
Many of the Democratic leaders be
Iseees sfat the Judge is the Inan to de-
fat Congressman Britt
Mr.. Gilkey's letter to Judge Justfea
was as follows:
las you know, my business is Ia
the commercial line and takes me all
over the 10th Congressional District,
/ think I am in an unusual position
to know the feelings and sentiments
of the majority of the Democrats In
this district The vote for United
States Senator showed a majority of
more than 1,200 Democrats in this
district. On account of dissensions as
to Congressman, we have now a Re
publican Congressman. I believe that
If you will become a candidate, the
younger men will be content to defer
their ambition and that you will
have opposition in your party You
can, of course, get practically every
vote in Rutherfordton County no
matter who runs. / am sure the
same is true in Mcdowell and Polk
and this side OF the ridge will feel
that the western side should in justice
to us yield to our claim for recognl-
ton; and / also know that vast NUM-
bers of the leading Democrats N
Buncombe and other counties in the
west feel that they really need your
service to make the race against Mr.
Britt. / recognize that you already
have a highly honorable position and
may feel content with it. There is,
however, / think a real demand that
YOU make whatever sacrifice neces-
sary to make the race for Congress.
II you agree with me that you are in
position to render unusual service to
your party and are willing to yield to
the request of great numbers OF your
friends, / trust you will permit me To
saw that your announcement should
indicate to your friends that you real
ly wish the support of your friends
who may feel that you are content to
stay where you are and even though
ycu should announce that you are
willing to submit to the wishes of the
party. there might be some feeling
ri
not require them to really work for
you when you were Indifferent as TO
whether you should change your po'
sition from judge toNCongressman. 1t
is my opinion that you should state
your position to the public at an early
date.
This letter is prompted by sincere
friendship to you and great interest
in the Democratic party.
Your friend,
81. @. GILKEY."
Judge Justice in replying said:
"I have your esteemed favor of the
18th instant appreciate the friend
ly sentiment that prompts it. | have
had many letters and many urgent
requests to allow my name to be run
fcl Congress in the tenth district
want to take you and the voters OF the
district into my confidence and to De
entirely frank.
81 am not seeking the nomination
and am in no sense a candidate for the
position, and would be glad if the
party could see the way clear to nom
mate some one of the young men vino
are avowed candidates.
THAT is one side of the case. An
other side is this I have been q Dem
ocrat all my. life, and have tried y
serve the party to the best Of my ahil-
ity.. The party has in return been
kind to me.
I. Nov. if the Democrats of the dis