The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1898-09-15
JOINT DISCUSSION.
Rhea and Walker Discuss the
Issues of the Campaign
to a Large Crowd
at Gate City.

to a Large Crowd
at Gate City.
From every road, from every defile
in the mountains the crowds began
to center toward Gate City on the
18th to hear Walker and Rhea dis
cusS the issues. The meeting at
Lebanon had been herald all
through the district and the reports
were so contradictory as to the result
that many went to see Rhea meet his
Waterloo, others to see Walker meet
his and few to hear something about
the issues of the campaign.
At Lebanon Rhea opened the dis
cuSsion and had supposed that Walk
err would be fair enough to alternate,
but oh no, the General had no idea of
doing anything Of the kind and the
result was that Rhea had to open the
discussion and allow Walker to close.
1t was so manIfcstly unfair that some
of the very best Republicans in the
county did not approve Of it. The
arrangements were, Rhea to open in
one hour and forty minutes; Walker
reply in one hour and forty minutes
and thirty minutes each rejoinder
Judge Rhea was introduced by Judge
Morrison and at once proceeded to
renoyate Walkers political record,
which be handled without gloves.
He sho we'd how he was once Repub-
lican, then Democrat, once a free
Silverite, now gold bug and how he
had been on nearly all sides of all
questions since he had been in public
life. He pointed ont the iniquities
of Republican iule, discussed the war
revenue bill and free silver. Judge
Rhea received round after round Of
applause as he poured increasingly |
not shot at Walker.
Walkers reply of one hour and
forty minutes was up to his usual
standard. He commenced by saying
that he had cast no vote or done
political act that he was ashamed of
and was not willing to defend at any
and all times; that he proposed to rise
above such low politics as the gentle
man (Rhea) indulged in and propos-
I'd to discuss the issues before the
people. At this remark Judge Rhea
arose and denied that he had said
'nything personal of Walker and re-
used to allow him to proceed until he
lad explained the meaning of his re-
mark. Then pandemonium broke :
Dose and it was fully ten minutes be- t
ore either could proceed or be heard f
Dove the confusion. Walker pro-
eeded to discuss the glory of the '
republican party for the last thirty C
ears, about 20 of which he was n a
Democrat. S
Rhea'S rejoinder of Thirty minutes b
,as one unmerciful fusilade against "
ValkeriSm. He scored him roundIy C
Dr. his unfalrness in refusing to open c
he discussion. a
Walkers reply was rather lame G
nd the crowd began to leave the a
ourt house. AT the conclusion of o
is speech each candidate was pre- ',
'nted with handsome bouquet, but
Judge hhea's was about three times b.
lie size of Mr.. Walkers, and as he p
ounted the Judges stand and wav- W W
g 1t around his head exclaimed m
at the difference in the size of the 81
'uquets was a premonition of the as
nerence IN the vote they would re- III
ive,pandemonium again broke loose co
arvey Hamilton was seen waving of
aiker,s bouquet aid fighting the De
+ with wild look upon his %
nntenance as Rhea's friends rusbed XII
the stand and bore him trium. of
antly or their shoulders from the io'
ilding. 40 az,
All IN all it was great day for up
The gallant Rhea van
ished the old soldier and stirred 10 bu
) highest pitch the enthusiasm of i
, Democrats of old Scott. the
During Walkers speech some small OPP
rs created a disturbance, which VI WI
very reprehensible, but with that "
'eption both speakers were listened per
attentively. Let
10