Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-15
RHEA on THE WARPATH.
He fs Pouring Hot shot Into His Re-
publican Opponent.


GATE CITY. VA, September l3.-(Spe-
cial.)-Although Judge Rhea has made
several speeches in this county in former
campaigns, his full powers as an orator
| and debater were never realized till he
met General Walker In joint discussion
recently. The Judge is simply power in
the land. Walker is no match for him
on the stump. Truth is mighty and will
prevail" especially when championed by
men who have the ability to show it up.
Following is an epitome Of the discussion
here:
Judge Rhea opened the debate in an
eloquent speech OF an hour and forty
minutes. This was the second meeting
between the candidates. He read the cor
respondence between the district chair
men Of the two parties and between him
self and General Walker, showing the in
justice Of his having to open every time.
II am not afraid. however" he said ito
go in front or anywhere else TO carry the
Democratic standard"
He quoted Walkers reference to the
thirty years or glorious Republican his
tory, and then read a letter from the
General to a Philadelphia paper. referring
to the "unpurchasable white Democrats
Of the South"
He eloquently aired the free-slver re-
cord Of the Republican candidate, and in
concluding this point said: Silver has al
ways been the money OF the masses; gold
the money of the rich, the monopolists,
and the plutocrats.
THE SOUTH BEING ROBBED.
He showed how the South is being rob-
bed and oppressed by the pension laws;
that while our section is writing In the
agonies Of financial distress each con-
gressional district in Indiana is drawing
100000 annually in pensions.
The scathing part OF Judge Rhea's
speech was his excoriation of Walker for
voting TO turn out Virginia congressman.
"In this alone the General has always
been consistent and 10 be relied upon"
TO substantiate his assertion he read from
speeches by Congressman McCaull of
Massachusetts, and Jenkins of Wiscon-
sin. General Walker squirmed under the
red-hot shot thus poured into him.
Judge Rhea challenged Walker to show
wherein he had ever voted in Congress in
the interest of the masses in preference
TO the monopolists. Walker failed to
show a single instance.
The war-revenue bill then came in Tor
consideration, and the transparency of
Republican claims, as well as the incom-
potency of the Mckinley administration,
was wildly portrayed
TRIBUTES TO HEROES.
He paid an eloquent tribute to General
Wheeler, Admiral Dewey, Hobson, VAIN
wright of Richmond, Fighting Bob"
Evans, of Bland county, Va, and grand
old Schley.
But" said Rhea, ''the fighting is over
so far as the war with Spain is concern
ed, but it is just beginning with the tax
payers. The Republican policy is TO tax
poverty and toll to nurture in idleness
the monopolists. Walker voted against
an income-tax on such men as Rookie
Teller. but to tax the blankets Of the
poor"
Judge Rhea's arraignment of the Re
publican party was complete, and took
the hide all the way" Walkers reply
was able. considering his cause, but evil
IDENTIFY failed to satisfy the people.
Democracy is clearly gaining ground all
over the Ninth District