Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1902-02-14
Hon, Vim. +. Rhea.

The time is not far off when the
Democrats of the Ninth District
must select candidate to- succeed
Hon. VIM. f. Rhsa, our present
Representative in congress. We
unhesitatingly say that we hope,
and believe, that Mr.. Rhea will he
his own successor, and so far as we
\ have heard this is the universal
\sentiment of the Democrats, tand
lso OF many Republicans) Of the
district. His course during his
srm ofservice, has been satisfactory
his constituents, and all thar
luld possibly be expected of HIM,
der the circumstances. AS We
know, he has been handicapped
ing both his terms with a con-
and for other reasons has not
able to take such a part in
Nal affairs as he wished. And
e has done as much or more,
ad as much recognition at
lnds of his colleagues, as any
man who has been in congress the
same length OF time, for as is we'll
known, a member of the National
congress must necessarily hold his
place a number of years before he
is able to take leading part o,
position. Notwithstanding all his
hindrsnces, 1t is recognized fact
that Mr.. Rhea has done a great
deal, In quiet wa, 70 serve the
~eople Of his district. No applied
ton 1C'ioAHoml7g from, RepuBl-
can or Democrat, howevsF hubble,
nas oeen ignored. He has given
tlme and money to help his trends
III more instances tban one. aud
/ the longer he stays the more he
viii be able to do, aud the M re he
: w. VIII make 5I@seerfff felt. L
We sincerely hope, land speak,
knowingly, as the representatir g
of a large number Of the best Dem
ocrats Of the District) that there
will be no opposition to MI. Rhea's
nomination. And this for two
reasOns, first; for the good of the
party, and, second, for the good OF
the District and State at large.
From party standpoint we can
Ill afford to risk a change a. this
time. His ability as organizer and
leader, is well known. Ia 1896
The District gave Walker Rappb-
lican, 2100 majority over Williams
In '9S Rhea carried the District by
7z9 over Walker, aud IN 1900, by
1751 over Walker. His power be-
fore the masses is great, and il
would be running a risk-invit.ng
defeat at the hands of the Repub-
iican party, to put new and weak
er man in the field. Besides, the
Democrats owe Mr.. Rhea a deht
of gratitude for the splendid work
he has done for the party, in wres-
ting the Office frem incompetent
land inefficient hands, and placing
the Distffct1n line and harmony
with the rest of the STATE.
And then, the good of the State
at large, and the future welfare OF
the country, will be enhanced bS
keeping him in Congress. He j.
now just fairly begun TO become
familiar with the workings of the
gOvernment-something which re-
qnires time, aud long time, 70
learn: 1t would be, 1t seems to us.
the height of folly, to turn such -
man down at this stage of his care, !
and put in new man, who would
have all the same ground to %
over again. The Representative
IN Congress, who are welding the
widest influence and doing mos:
Ior their constituents and the
country, are men who have held
their seat through long term of
years. Let VIM. +. Rhea be NOM
mated without op POSITION, as before
to succeed himself, as our Repres-
entative 10 tbs lower house of the
congress of the United States.