Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-24
EPES IS UNSEATED.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE)


the contestee He said he had gone to
the record for his facts. He read from
the evidence the questions asked, and
the answers given, by several negroes
showing that their votes should not be
counted He said he would venture 10
assert that not one half dozen legally
qualified voters made a persistent effort
to vote for r. T. Thorp. AS the fact is
now recalled, three, and only three, wit
nesses speak of intimidation. The alleged
rejected voters amounted to nothing
more than certain voters hanging round
the polls, and saying they were there
trying to vote. He then spoke Of the
brotherhood that should now bind the
House, i'm the face of a great crisis. In
examining the charge made by the con-
testant that the election machinery In
Virginia was in the hands of the Demo-
Gratis, that was true, he said, and he
thanked God that it was true. Would
not the Republicans, if they were in the
majority. have the electoral machinery
of their party? He insisted that the
great body of the people were honest
and were not unduly swayed by partisan
considerations
We were assured yesterday by the
gentleman from Indiana CNr. Crumpack-
err. he said, that he had given the closest
attention to the record, to every detail
General Walker and Mr.. Crumpacher
say that twenty-five precincts ought 70
be expunged; that the votes should not
be delivered 10 either contestant or con-
testee. and on another page Of the ma
iority report these gentlemen say that OF
G23 votes not cast, 4OS should be counted
for r. T. Thorp. These were the votes
in dispute in the First and Sixth wards
of Petersburg.
ABUSE OF VIRGINIA.
The gentleman from Indiana, instead
Of answering certain interrogations
bearing on the vote, let loose severe
abuse of Virginia and her election laws.
Mr. Rhea quoted from one Of Thorp's
witnesses, who said he heard some oil
the Democrats say that what they would
do for the Republicans would be "a
plenty" Yes, and they did do "a
plenty; they defeated Thorp, said Mr..
Rhea.
Mr.. Rhea did not often indulge in anec-
dotes, but here was one. A prisoner be-
fore a magistrate was acquitted OF the
charge of stealing pair Of socks. The
magistrate said: But you did steal
pair of boots once, and 1 am going to
send you up any how"
Mr. Rhea spoke scathingly of the way
the House dealt with McKenney IN the
last Congress. The election officers of
Virginia were tried without any oppor-
tunity of defending themselves. The
contestee was i'll, and not able to defend
his case on the floor, and yet he mas
been brought into this case by the ma
iority in violation Of all principles of |
right.
REPUBLICAN CONSPIRACY.
Mr. Rhea next discussed an alleged |
that the Republicans in the
Fourth District had entered into at the |
last election to get Thorp to Congress. |
He charged that Mr.. Thorp had said |
prior to the election that Epes would
probably get the certificate, but that the
House would be Republican and he would
cot the seat. Thorps remark foresha-
dowed the scheme that had been carried
ont. a part Of which was to instruct
number of Republicans not TO vote, and
Mr. Rhea made quite hit When ne
ouoted from the famous campaign clrcu-
lar I'm which voters were trained 10
make certain answers for Thorp. These
were instructed to say they
voted for r. T. Thorp. They were not
TO tell the truth. He sald'
with great force and effect, that these
voters were periurers; they were suborn-
ad witnesses. He then showed how easy
if was. according to the methods used by
The contestant. TO change the result, by
simply taking so many votes from Epes
and placing them to the credit Of Thorp'
He concluded by referring in eulogistlc
terms to the contestee and the people ne
He knew sydney Epes as a
gallant youth-manly, brave and gentle
He had removed 20 Kentucky TO carve
,ut his fortune, but his heart yearned lot
Did virginia, and he returned to his ma
i've State. lie then spoke OF his candi-
lacy in the Fourth District, and told OF
he high appreciation in which he was
held by all the Democrats Of his section.
VIRGINIAS GLORY.
In closing Mr.. Rhea spoke of the glory
If virginia, of Washington, jefferson, and
,tber matchless men of yalor and wis
lom In statecraft, in literature, In
aw. In politics. and In religion the old
state was pre-eminent. In the diplomatic
service to-day Virginia has Fitz Lee.
oThere stands Lee" he said. beneath
he shadow of Spanish guns, ready to de-
end his countrys honor Mr.. Rhea'
lpon taking his seat. was loudly ap-