Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-12
TH0RP- EPES CONTEST
HEARING BEFORE HOUSE ELEC-
rroSs COMMITTEE NUMBER Q.
ABUSE OF VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS.
The Hanna Corruption Fund In Last
Campaign Admitted by Counsei TOT
contestnut-The Committee Inn
pressed by the Fact.
pressed by the Fact.

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. January u
Especial. 1.-The contest Of X. t. Thorp lor
the seat I'm the House OF Representative
IN which Representative Sidney T. Epes
was elected from the Fourth virginia
o,s,rict was to-day before Elections
committee No. 8. Of which General james
A walker Is the chairman. me coih-
mittee-room was crowded, among the At
tentive listeners being Congressman hay
and Yost. Mr.. Morgan Treat, john b.
Kimberley, recently appointed postnains-
TOR at Old Point, and others, besides the
counsel for the contestant. Colonel James
n. Rrady. and state Senator William Is
McIlwaine. and Hon. Frank X. Lassiter'
Of Petersburg. counsel for the contestee'
Colonel Brady opened for Thorp, Las
sitter followed for Epes, Thorp spoke ior
himself, and McIlwaine closed for Epes'
II was clear TO all impartial persons
nresent. many OF whom were Repuoh-
cans. that whatever the verdict o.
walkers committee may be, or mat OF
the House, with its huge republican ma
iority. the merits of the contest were
in favor of Mr.. Epes, and that the ar
euments of his counsel. Major f. X. Las
sitter and Hon. William y. Mcllwaine'
were uuanswerable.
Colonel Brady, who spoke for an hour
or more INDUCED in abuse or the
methods Of the Democratic Hnachine'
and it's manipulations TO deprive the
negro Of his right of suffrage. and closed
with TRADE against the alleged unfair
ness of the Virginia election laws.
In the absence of argument and facts
to sustain him, he endeavored 10 enlist
the sympathies of the Republican MEM
hers of the committee in behalf Of his
client.
Major Iassiter replied to Brady. lie
reviewed the evidence In the case Tor
Mr.. Tpes for over an hour. His speech
was clear and forceful, and he impressed
his hearers as being a lawyer of remark
able ability.
Mr.. Thorp followed in a speech on the
same lines as that of Colonel Brady, his
counsel. except that he endeavored to
prejudice the Republicans in his favor,
but il is believed he made little or no
impression.
Mr.. McIlwaine's presentation of the
case was singularly explicit and con-
vincing. His contention for the right of
Mr.. Epes to his seat was a powerful one.
He denied the claims of the contestant,
and dissipated the charges of fraud In
the election. In the course OF his speech,
he said that the Republicans were sup
piled with SITS, 600 by Mark Hanna TO cor
rupt the voters and election officials OF
the State Colonel Brady interrupted
with the assertion that McIlwaine was
wrong as 10 the amount, that he (Brady)
had secured the campaign fund, and had
p AfpIlWn1nR 1
stantly asked, IF l am wrong as to the
amount. then what was it?". The little
colonel was completely nonplussed, and
failed 10 reply, which fact made decided
Impression on the committee.
Mr.. Mcllwaine's eXcoriation OF Repub-
lican methods in the Fourth District was
scathing. and he introduced Thorp's cele-
brated education circular" which was
sent all over the district. TO instruct the
negroes how to answer all questions
asked by the election judges, and par
ticularly how to spell the name of r. L.
Thorp.
Unusual interest is felt in this con-
test on account OF the popularity OF Mr..
Epes who has made a large circle of
friends on both sides Of the House OF
Representatives.
Allowing Thorp all the negro votes
that he claims were not voted, and all
that he claims were not counted for him,
Mr.. McIlwaine showed conclusively that
Mr.. Epess majority would still be 3Sy.
The impression prevailed at the conclu-
sion of the hearing that Epes would ie7
tain his seat.
General Walker is the chairman Of the
subcommittee to report on the Thorp-
Epes case to the full committee.
The Brown-SwansOn contest VIII be
boord IN, Thursday next.