The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-10-30
AGAINST WELLS
w. Il. Harris Gives his Reasons Tor Sup
porting Senator Mills.

and knowing Mr.. Harris to lie a reliable
and substantial democrat, Posr repre-
sentative hunted him up and found lin
ready to State ilis reasons for 50 doing
Yes" said Mr.. Harris, u propose to
do all can TO assist in the reelection of
Senator John Mills to the Senate, and in
this matter wish to be perfectly and
thoroughly understood, both hydemocrats
and republicans, that in taking this
course am not in the slightest degree
Weakening in my democratic faith or pam
derimg in any shape or form to repuhli-
canism. 1t is we'll known BIZ almost eve
one throughout the surrounding country,
that always lave been, | am now and
ever expect to remain Simon-pure JEFF
fersonian democrat; but. in casting This
my maiden vote fer a republican,, ! can
faithfully say that, under the circumstan-
ces, fee! not the slightest remorsc.of con-
science in so doing
The Posi- man here asked Mr.. Harris
to state his reasons for taking this course.
Well said he, Il am doing so, as |
regard it. strictly on pure and honest
principle.
"In the frs, place. this is not fight to
be strictly considered from political
standpoint, there being no issue of grave
mpo~tanc. TO come before the legislative
hodies d; Virginia ut present hat can or
will he materially effected hy the result of
this race.
:.In me second place. We, as Il people.
have the general good and welfare Of our
immediate section of country to look
after a. well rs the mute: OF our n"litlcai
preference However,. wish to say right
here, lilat i; we had representative dc,n-
ocrat--., dcnioe,at in decd ard in truth
one who had always marched under The
thc graid old democratic banner--one
who lad shed tears with lis wher we wcpt
and who laughed with lis when we rejOiced
as j. b. F. Mills orponcnt--nly coat
would he of and would be found in the
thick of the fight, battling for the cause;
but see no just cause why | should sup
port Judge Wells simply because his nom-
nation aud his candidacy was brought
about through II feeling Of prejudice and
cumitY ON he pnrt OF few against Gie
who has dunc rs much .or this imncdiatc
section OF country rs almost any OF hex ten
men TO lie found.
Senator Mills, although i rcpublican,
believe 10 be a,man Of honor, yeraciiy
and ability; and, in truth, in my opinion,
The OILY man we have before US capable
and competent to discharge the duties Of
the oIlice 20 which lie again aspires.
His ability and Willingness TO serve
The people Of the district has been tried
and tested, and for his very promptncss
and Willingness in this respect, he has
been ncli-nct, abused and heset on all
sides.
..Ey request OF Il petition signed by al
least 80 OF his conSituenls-wth no re-
quest whatever from the opposition to
take no acion in the maiter-->cnatur
Nil introduced a bill III ;he Seiia.csand
aided lis passage, authorizing the Judge
OF Wise county, Oh Il petition presented to
him signed by 100 legal voters of the
county, askin. that an election he called,
-,o order an election for the purpose OF
asccrtainng the wishes Of the people as
to the removal Of the county site from It's
present location, on Sand mountain, -
miles from the railroad to Tacoma, IL
poirt on the y. & w railroad.
"Senator Mills, having been elected by
the people, and looking upon himself as
their servant, did exactly what we all cx
pect and demand OF our representatives.
acted in accordance with what he believed
to he the wish Of a majority of the people
Of Wise county.
ii, connection with tiis subject, wish
to state tina, t, wii!i several OF The best
and mos; prominent citizens OF Wise c0un
tx. was instrumental in bringing about
this bill for The purpose OF putting the
question beiorc Tie pcople. - WIS SoteH
up and aeitated tor tue injury OF no one,
but, recognizing the fact that it was only
a question Of time rs to when the court
house would be removed 10 some point on
1.-THE line of railway, the question was TO
be put hefogc lie people in purely a busi-
ness-like .nauner, with no coersiye or
forcing measures attached thereto. the
questions Of removal or no removal being.
left entirely with the people
..For acting on this request, as have
said, Senator Mills has been besicsed and
even grossly insul,ed By some Of the poo
pie who opposed the measure: and new,
with no good reason why should support
the so-ca!lcsl democratic nomiwee, do.
not propose to assist in defeating man
WHO has shown himself able, competent
and willing 10 serve his, people, especially
so long as this race has narrowed down
TO a question like this, and politics are
not considered
Now, you see, there WIS no goo, rc;:s-.
on for unpleasant feelings even Oh the
part of those who opposed the measure
while the attempt WAS being made TO put
the question hefurc the Voters, as tilesr