The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-23
Spirited Debate Between Judge Miers
and General Walker.
RECORD OF LATTER CRITICIZED.
Congressman Hay VIII Speak for Epes
To-Day and Thorp VIII Address
the House on His Own Behalf.
The BrOwn-Swanson Case
Not Yet Rcportcd-The
Majority with Brown.

House Of Representatives to-day was the
Thorp- Epcs contested election case from
the FoHrth Virginia district. u was de-
hated abou, three hours and then went
over until tomorrow. when The debate
will oe concluded and vot, reached,
which. on party lines will result favor
ably 20 the Republican contestant. II. II.
Thorp.
THE DEBATE.
General James a. Walker had charge
Of the Republican side Of the debate and
Judge Micrs. Of Indiana. had charge Of
the Democratic side. lie was assisted by
Representative Hay. OF Virginia. Four
hours was allowed for each side. OF this
time tho Democrats consumed only about
an hour and "a quarter and the Kepubh-
cans about two hours.
The speech tomorrow will be made in
behalf Of Mr.. Epes by Representative
Rhea. Of Kentucky. ono of the most eio-
quent and forceful men on the Demo-
cratic side. Representative Hay will also
make speech for Epes.
a PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.
Mr. Thorp is an cx-member. has the
privileges Of the floor. and ne viii. II is
understood. make "a speech i'm his own be-
half
Some one moved that the case be con-
sidered Ia Committee of the Whole House,
but this was voted down. and then the
House proceeded 10 hear the debate. The
attendance on the floor was quite large.
GENERAL WALKER.
Representative Walker. chairman Of the
Elections Committee. opened the debate.
Ho declared that frauds were rampant
in the Virginia elections. and that these
frauds were open because the perpetrators
had no fear of being punished.
Representative Hay took exception 70
General Walkers statement and the lat
Ter replied with decided warmth:
Yes. you scratch 90 Democrat on the
back and ne will exclaim that there is
no fraud in Virginia elections
ooh. well" said Hay.
General Walker retOrted. and then Hay
said You seem 10 have had expert
ence. You were once Democrat
Eyes. ! once was. but / am not now
and I never shall Doe again until your
Marty becomes honest
This declaration was loudly applauded
by tho Republican members.
General Walker declared that there
were unnecessary delays al the polls IN
Virginia elections whenever Republicans
tried to vote. The judges took a long
time for their meals during the day.
Republicans who asked chance 10 vote
were kept waiting for hours while some
blind OF illiterate official was looking Tor
tba name. Democrats. ON the other hand,
were brought TO the ballot boxes with
great CELEBRITY. Walker discussed particu-
l,rlv elections in the First and Sixth
Wards Of Petersburg. I'm the First Ward
voters attempted 90 vote but we're pushed
hack bv policemen. The voting. ne said,
WAS retarded by the election officers ana
discrimination was shown between ke-
nuhUcans and Democrats. Walker lie
clared that only Democrats We're judges
81 election in the nineteen precincts
which the committee claim have been dls-
credited. lie then recited the hgures OF
the returns.
IN PETERSBURG.
I'm Petersburg. Walker proceeded TO say
NAT there were many intelligent Repub-
licaus and Democrats. but nevertheless
the iudees had been for years VIGOROUSLY
corrupt and degraded. The Judges Were
evnoris i'm their line. he said. one OF
tudp-s was confined I'm prison but was
brought 10 Petersburg every year 10 alu
the Democratic party In carrying inc
election.
lie claimed that with the vote i'm the
rireteen precincts thrown out should
go Nr Thorn a plurality of $50 The
vote I'M certain six precincts-Lawrence-
vino poarch and Ross Sutherands,
Powhatan Station. Lees Mills and Wake
deld-lf correctly counted reduce MI
Fpes' plurality $50, and increase Mr.
Thorps' plurality 10 Sl2.
General Walker spoke with considerable
warmth and was listened TO with close
attention. .
The next speaker was Representative
Nfiere. Of Indiana, who rs regarded az
the sblest Democrat on the Elections
Committee. lie made q strong argument
for honest elections. II the statemen' .
made bv the Republicans were true ne
.drnittod that Thorp would be entitled TO
his seat.
Judpe Aiiers challenged the assumption
nv the Republicans that the Fourth Dis
frict OF Virginia Is certainly and natural
He sketched the Republican District
Convention which ended In a row. Two
Rspublicans were nomnated-Mr. Geo
who was the rival Of Mr.. Thorp MADE an
active canvass up 10 short time OF cleo
,,on daV. when he was withdrawn lie
barnes on these facts 10 show how II was
no, supposable that Thorp receiced the
81 penubHcan vote. He charged Gen.
walker' with abusing his friends rather
.han dealing with the facts In the record.
rrdge Niers read a circular letter sent
.bronghout the district, declaring that
The majority OF the delegates were
ocsipst Thorp. In some of the counties
n was openly boosted that Thorp would
he nominated at any cost
FREE SILVER MAN.
IL. pointed out that Thorp was free
otiver man and that Gee said the Repub-
Uca, National Committee did not want
NJ Thorn elected. Representative Stew
ART here asked Judge Miers II he did not
knovy that Mr.. Gee withdrew few DAYS
1fter the convention and endorsed Mr..
ThOrp2 80,
drew until August 10th. He then pro-
ceeded 10 show that the exclusion OF -;
votes from Epes' plurality I'm certain
nrecincts WAS Illegal n Is easy for Gen
wslkA he said TO declare that he II
too honest TO remain IN the Democratic
Marty and that his Democratic colleague
1. rascal u Is easy for him TO pose
now as the friend OF the negro when al
through the war and until after recon
Struction days he was against them. He
also referred 10 General Walkers free
silver record IN 1894.
General Walker rose and said that he
wa, a Republican a good While ago u
voted for Harrison" said he.
we'll" said Mlers. you were Demo
eYat M 10 1855. when maybe yos were
tuyneS down for some once"
II left tho Democratic party" replied