The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-11-08
A CONTEST LIKELY
IN Ninth DISTRICT
Rhea and SIemp Both Claim the
Election.
PRECINCTS ARE THROWN OUT
Republicans Chargeit Was Done With
Out Warrant and That They Will
Take it to the Courts of the
State-Counter Claims.
PRECINCTS ARE THROWN 0U

What at first seemed the certainty OF
Stmp's election to Congress in the Ninth
District is thrown in serious doubt by
subsequent events. and it now seems cer-
tain the matter will result In 4 contest
before Congress.
BY the throwing out of precincts IN
yVytte and Washington counties. and the
charges OF figures in other counties. Judge
Rhea last night claimed the district by
the considerable majority of ceSS', whereas
ono day before his claim OF election was
based on the small majority of twenty
five votes.
Stuart F. Lindsay. Republican chair
man of the Ninth District, claims Slemps s
election by a majority of 2s5. after de-
ducting the precincts thrown out. which
gave Republican nlajorities.
A special telegram TO The Times ram
Big Stone Gap. however. states that Col
onel Slemp claims his election by 100 ma
Jority.
With the precincts thrown out tt is ev-
f ident that the contest is very close. and
that it will take the official returns from
every county in the district to definitely
determine who will secure the certificate
of election.
The Republicans are better In their
charges of unfair methods ard aliege
that the Democrats are trying to place
+ Siemp in the attitude of a contest for q
seat to which he was clearly elected
Russell county. from which the official
returns have not been received. may be
the largest factor in deciding the result
In 1909 Russell gave Rhea $50 majority
over Walker. and his claim OF 4o0 now
seems not unreasonable
The majority of 1872 claimed by Rhea
in Washington county was secured by the
throwing out of Mendoza Precinct.
AS stated in yesterdays special to The
Times from Tazewell, the Eelection Com
missiouers refused to except the returns
from two precincts in that county. and
have set to-day to receive explanations
from the election officers as to apparent
In certainties to be cleared up
Thus it will be seen there are many un-
certain ties to be cleared up.
Whole Matter in Doubt.
The following special dispatch to The
Times from Bristol last night confirms
the. uncertainty In the whole situation:
1T is impossible to give definite figures
as to every county in the Ninth District
until the returns are officially announced.
Congressman Rhea claims tonight that
he. has a. majority of at least 232 over
Slemp IN the district. These figures are
tased on official and unofficial returns.
ht Democratic headquarters the official
returns are not yet known In nVe cou1l-
ties namely: Russell. Tazewell, Giles,
Dickenson and Buchanan.
The following figures were given out
from Rhea's headquarters tonight, the
same being official except as to the coun-
tics mentioned above: For Rhea-Bristol,
tis: Buchanan. 30; Craig. 1853: Dickinson.
e.: Giles. 150;s Scott. 81; Russell. $50: Wash
irsson 1872: Wythe. 70. For Slemp-Rian
lG: Lee. 2lS: Pulaski. l: Smyth. 2S0 Taze-
Welt Ss6; Wise. 49S.
chairman Lindsey. OF the Republican
Committee insists that the Democrats
are changing the returns and throwing
out precincts without warrant. and that
In spite of what has been done on tech
meal grounds, Slemp still has majority
OF 300, and that Buchanan county. ac-
lcording to his advices. has given Slemp
100 ma jority, instead of so for Rhea.
Nothing positive can be stated until
tie vote is canvassed in every county.
Republican Statement.
The Republicans are bitter over the
turn the election has taken. and Mr. Stu
art F. Lindsey, the Republican chairman,
IN a signed statement teiegraphed by him
10 The Times last night. gives expression
to it in the following terms:
..SIemp is elected by at least 275 ma
jority after allowing all technical throw
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