Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-10-02
RHEA DECLINES
TO DISCUSS
Democratic Candidate for Congress Mill
Not Accept Challenge.
GREAT DAY FOR THE REPUBLICANS.
Declines TO Discuss With Hon, l.. T. Sum
mers. of Abingdon, and Hon. J. c.
Noel, of Lee County.

Judge Rhea, the Democratic candidate
for Congress, and number of Republican
orators were billed to speak at Wise on
Courtday, the 22ud ult.
Early in the day Judge Rhea received a
challenge for a joint discussion with Hon.
LIP. Summers, of Abingdon, and Hon.
&c. Noel. of Lee county, which he dee
clined. A fairly good crowd was present
and was overwhelmingly Republican, the
Democrats present being so few in number
and the Republicans having the court
house. Judge Rheu's friends requested the
Republican county chairman to allow him
to address the audience for thirty minutes,
and the Republicans to occupy so much OF
the evening as they chose. Judge Rhea
spoke for thirty minutes without discussing
one of the great issues before the people
He stated that lie had secured thirty
rural free delivery routes, and had done
more for his people than all of his pre-
decessors. His speech created no en-
thusiam whatever Upon the conclusion
of Judge Rhea's speech, the Hon. l.. 2.
Summers, took the stand, and for one
hour and twenty-five minutes, held the
audience spell bound. He answered
Judge Rhea's arguments, clearly showing
that the free delivery was the result of Re-
publican law and was put into effect with
money voted by Republican Congress.
In scathing and forcible language, hel
exposed and denounced the methods OF
Judge Rhea in twice securing a seat in the
United States Congress by, fraudulent
methods. that had brought disgrace upon
this District and had prostituted the
morals of the people. He said, that the
best element in the Democratic party de-
sired a reformation of existing conditions
and that they were not in sympathy with
Judge Rhea or bis methods.
He said, that he had been told that
Judge Rhea had made the statement that
he intended to look after the Walker
people in. this District in this election, and
= be asked the question" How can any
honest man uuthfllly and consistently
<elaim to be the friend Of General Walker
and at the same time, give aid and COM
fort by remaining away from the polls or
b3 supporting Judge Rhea, man who
holds seat in the Congress OF the United
States that rightly belongs to General
Walker: man whose friends attempted
TO assassinate General Walker, while in
the service of bis people.
Hon. r. Tate Irvine, leading Democrat
OF Wise County, at the conclusion OF Mr.
Summers speech, said; "lt was the
ablest defence of bad cause that l have
heard"
MIR. Summers was followed by Hon. j.
G. Noel. of Lee county, who for sometime,
in yery forcible and logical manner
advocated the great principles of the Re-
p1blican party. Mr.. Noel sbeyond ques'
tion one of the ablest young men In the
District.
Colonel slemp, the Republican nominee
closed the speech-maklng for the day. He
nointed out to the audience the fact, that
while Judge Rhea talked great deal
about trusts, thse he had, when an op'
portunity offered voted against measure
offered by Republican in the Congress OF
the United States proposing a solution OF
the trust evil. He also, called the atten-
tion of his hearers to the fact that Judge
Rbea had voted in the Congress OF the
United States, to appropriate twenty MILL
ions of dollars with which to purchase the
Philippine Islands, and said; That II
ANYTHING wrong had been Gone IN the
PhiIippine Islands, that Judge Rhea was
responsible for it, as much 80 an any
other living man."
He adyerted 10 the statement OF Judge
Rhea. that he (Semp) had given to Rhea'
his support in two campaigns against
General Walker. He said he did not
see how Judge Rhea. could make such
statement, as he (Slemp) had helped
secure the nomination of General Walker
in 1894. that he had done all be could to
secure bis (Walkers) election in the years
1894 1895 and 1900, and he called upon
his audience to bear witness to the fact
that he had addressed the people OF Wise
county at Wise Va. ior, and along with
General Walker, in the fall OF the Year
1900. He said that ne did not vote ior
Walker in 1898 because of personal DIM
c,l,v but he wanted 1t distinctly Under
stood that at no time, in his lIielime' l'&d
he ever approved of Judge Rhea's pliocl-
pies or policies, nor had ever given them
support. Cononel Slemp closed his speech
amidst wild enthusiasm, and 1t is conn
dently predicted that he will carry u't
counties in the western portion of the DIS
r,ict by an overwhelming majority.