Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1900-04-06
ANNOUNCEMENT
Hon William F. Rhea A
Candidate Again


ment for publication In this paper
that he would be a candidate for re.
nomination foe Congress by the
Democrats of the district. 1t has
been generally understood that he
would be candidate but this Is the
first formal announcement of the
fact.
The Democracy of the district
owes it not only TO Judge Rhea but
to itself to give him by accamation
the honor he desires, for no man has
done more for the party in the dis
trict than has William Francis Rhea.
His personal attributes are well
known. His legal talent, his high
character, his judicial experience, his
unquestioned ability. his burning
eloquence, his untircing energy, all
these are common facts
His devotion to the unfailiny
principles or the unfa'l.ng Demo
cratic party recommended him for
the highest honors within it's power
to- bestow. His course in 1896 IL
we'll remembered. The party was
enthusiastic and confident, and at
the Congressional convention In
Wytheville, Marshall, Fudge, Rhea
and Williams fought like tigers for
the nomination. Judge Williams
got the nomination, which it had
seemed Rhea would receive. Wha,
did Rhea do? Sulk in his tentp
Not much. He proceeded to remove
his coat, take Off his neckwesr and
roll up his sleeves, and he wadcd in
and fought and spoke and worked
for Williams until the day of cleo
tion. In 1898 IL was different The
party was disorganized, demoralized,
humbled by two successive defeats,
and had an adverse majority of
1000 in 1896 staring il in the face.
khea had no trouble in getting the
nomination. No body wanted it..
What happenedH The gallant Game
Cock of the Southwest, handicapped
Generalization in his party and by
disbelief even among his friends as
to his ability to carry the district,
opposed by big campaign fund and
an ex-COnfederate war record and
forged transfers and a wounded arm,
redeemed the oil Ninth with a Dem
ocratic majority OF 75O, and gave the
party thorough organization.
He trod the winepress almost alone,
traversed the district from end to end,
in every county and almost every
magisterial district preached the doc
trines of pure and undefilcd Demo
cracy and good government, debated
with his opponent every opportunity
vnd came out victorious.
Did his work end there? No. A
contest based mainly upon the fact
of Republican majority in Congress
was brought by the defeated candi-
date. Rhea watched at every turn.
Bluffs and bull-dosing cuts no more
figure with him than peace advocate
would cut in Kentucky. To evidence
he produced counter r-evidence, to
afhdavits he secured counter affi-
davits. He has fought for his party
and his seat TO the last notch.
Did he let things take their course
before the contest committee OF Con.
gress? Day after day, while the
case was being considered by the
committee, he would rise from his
bed where he lay suffering with that
most debilitating OF diseases, grip,
go to the committee room, watch and
take part in the proceeding, and then
go back to his bed. The result OF
the contest hang as yet in the bal
ance. but who will say that he has
uot done his part?
His contest has debarred him from
taking an active part in new legis-
lstien, yet those who have watched
the Congressional Record as we have
known that the roll calls on which
Rhea of Virginia did not vote ars
exceedingly scarce. His ability haa
received recognition from his vir
ginia colleagues through being chosen
as the Virginia member of the Con-
gressional Campaign Committee &c
succeed the late Congressman Epes
We leave it to the judgement ot
any thinking Democrat of the Ninth