Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-24
plauded, and was warmly congratulated
on his great effort.
HAY REPE,IS AN ACsC.r-c rInN


on his great effort.
HAY REPELS AN ACCUSATION.
Congressman Hay followed Mr.. Rhea
He began by saying that he had hoped
the friends Of the contestant would con-
fine themselves to the evidence. But he
would not be true to himself or Virginia
II he did not reply to the aspersions made
yesterday by Mr. Crumpacker. That
gentleman had said that the Democrats
of Virginia had no more respect for
negroes than they had for common dogs
This. he said, was false, maliciously
false. ignorantly false. Since 1915 Vir-
ginia had expended on The education of
negroes 100000. A college had been
built by the State for negroes. The ap-
preparations for the negroes had been
made mostly by Democrats. What have
the Republicans done to show their re-
spect for the negroes Of Virginia. Only
one negro postmaster has been appointed.
Mr.. Hay alluded incidentally to Gene
raj Walker. 1--WE in Virginia know
General Walker" he said. General
Walker here arose, and said that no one
could ever say that he had spoken in
uncomplimentary terms OF Virginia. He
was a Virginian and loved Virginia. He
could never denounce virginians. He
said he only denounced those who COM
mltted frauds.
THORP'S SPEECH
Mr.. Hay was followed by Mr.. r. T.
Thorp, the contestant, who, as an OK
member, was granted the privilege Of the
floor, to argue his own case. He made
a strong argument, and was frequently
applauded by the Republicans. The main
features of this contest, he said, were
first, that G23 votes were excluded that
would have been cast for him dad the
voters been allowed to exercise their
right, and second, that at many precincts
in the Fourth District. the judges were
either all Democrats, or If not all Demo-
Gratis. incompetent Republicans. The re-
turns were therefore corrupt, uncertain,
and not TO be accepted.
He then criticised the election laws Of
Virginia, and was severe in his structures
He spoke Of the ballot, and in very
bitter and forcibe way said that If he
had been Sydney Epes, before he would
have put the name of J. l.. Thorp on
the ballot, he would have gone to the
woods, and remain there the rest Of
his life. Air Epes and Mr.. Hay al Sace
arose and interrupted. The latter, with
great warmth said Mr. Epes had had
nothing to do with putting the name Of
J. l.. Thorp on the ticket. 5Ir. Epes
also Indignantly repudiated the implied
charge, and asked Thorp on what au-
thority he made the accusation. Thorp
sais he did not know that Epes had the
name referred 20 placed on the ballot,
but that it was done, anyhow, for Epes's
benefit Mr.. Epes. from Thorp's tone
and manner, took him TO mean that hs
believed the implied charge, whether 1t
was i'm the record or not. Mr. Epes was
pale and angry, and he Indignantly re-
pudiated the charge, and demanded TO
know if Thorp believed that he (Epes)
had fixed the ballot. Thorp paused a
moment, and then said: "Wen, no; do
not believe that Mr.. Epes had the name
put on the ballot, if that will do you any
good" II am satisfied" said Mr.. Epes
This ended what was quite a scene
Mr. Lamb rushed up and said to Thorp
Sydney Epes is incapable Of doing a
mean act"