Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-05
WALKER AND RHEA.
CLOSE OF THE FORMERS TINE For
TAKING TESTIMONY.
WHAT he TRIED TO PROVE
And How lie Failed-Thc True III
wardncsx of the Independent move
usrt-otbcr News from the Far
Southwest.

BRISTOL. VA, March 4-tSpecial)-
The Democratic watchword ana war CRY
during the last congressional campaign
which WAS Redeem the Ninth" is now
n verify. and many people are happy that
Judge william j.. Rhea Is to-day congress
man. General Walkers time having ex-
pired yesterday.
In the contest case OF Walker VS.. Rhea.
the taking OF testimony. so far as Con-
testant Walker is concerned, closed March
LIST. General Walkers timo having
expired on that date. in his charges. or
notice OF contest. served on Judge Rhea,
a most bitter attack was made against
the election officers. who were among the
best men in this section OF the State.
Walkers charges are wholesale. and ap-
piled 10 every county in the district. and
especially were they bitter at precincts
where Rhea received a majority OF any
number. In taking testimony 10 sustain
his wholesale charge he has omitted
many counties. and his work has been
confined TO only a few precincts in the
district
some DISPOSITIONS have been taken at
j. /
Ftonoga, in Wise county The main as
sault has been against Russell and Scott
counties and Bristol city where testimony
has been taken during almost the entire
forty days allotted General Walker b.
law. He has also taken testimony in
Washington. u. c.: Richmond. Va, and
Knoxville Tenn. Reports coming from
tho different places and copies Of the evil
dence Indicate that he has made very
poor case. and has utterly failed 10 sus-
tain his charges OF fraud. He charged
that the Democrats were responsible for
the colored candiGates-Watkins and Har-
Tis-but the testimony shows that the
darldes ran in pursuance of the indepcn-
dent movement begun at StauntOn, Va.
last summer. known as the Independent
Colored League. The dispositions also
show that the movement was begun by
the darkies because of Walkers attitude
toward the race while he was a member
Of Congress
General Walkers hopes of success in
this contest were based on throwing out
Bristol city. which gave Judge Rhea AZ
majority. Walker took testimony here
during the entire time. and a part Of the
time had two and three nOtaries
working az different points in the city.
His object seemingly was to prove suff-
cieDt fraud against the election officers
to throw out the precinct and 20 also
establish that he received moro votes
here than were counted for him. His
failure has been complete in this city
He introduced l7s witnesses. only 1873 Of
whom swore they voted for him. He
was given 100 votes by the returns lie
introduced some thirty or thirty-fve re-
liable white men who voted for him. and
they almost 10 a man fully sustained
the officers OF election The rest of his
witnesses were mostly cOlored. and all
foaters. Judge Rhea has q good case 10
present TO Congress If no does not take
any testimony during the forty days he
has in which TO take 1t. but testimony
viii be taken, and when it is completed it
is claimed that all hopes of Walkers sue
cess will vanish from even his most parti-
san supporters.
Cards are out announcing the approach
ing marriage of Mr.. William A. Read
and Miss Trula Hicks. Miss Hicks is q
talented and accomplished musician, and |
daughter of DR.. J. +. Hicks of this city.
Mr. Read is one Of Bristors most highly |
respected young men. lie is a graduate |
Of Lepsic Germany College. and is
thoroughly fitted for his professional pro- |
fessor
Mr.. n. u. Remine. city editor Of the |
Tribune. and special correspondent for q |
Florida this week 10 recuperate his health. |
Mr.. Remine has been confined 20 his room |
Tor about four months. and IL is hoped |
that the Land Of Flowers has in store for 1
him renewed health.
The Democrats Of Washington county |
held a mass-meeting at Abingdon on last |
Monday and appointed delegates 10 a con- |
vention called 10 be held IN Abingdon on |
March 10th TO nominate candidates for all |
IL 10 h.
vention will be harmonious and that |
watermelons will be name of the past
in that county.
Rev. ID. Vance Price. Of the Tribune |
STAFF. is in Asheville. y. c., having been |
called there by the serious illness of his |
uncle, General Robert Vance. who is a |
brother Of the late Senator Il. b. Vance.
Hon. Il. Tate Irvine, of Big Stone Gap, |
is in the city, on his return from a meet |
Ing of the Board of Visitors of the Uni |
gersity of Virginia.