Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-11-13
STATEMENT
OF THE CASE
CHAIRMAN LINDSEY GIVES THE STATUS
OF the Slemp-Rhea Case, and Makes
Startling Exposures In the Scott
County Election Returns

Bristol, Va, Nov 10. Chairman Stuart
F. Lindsey, of the Republican executive
committee, has issued the following state
ment relative to the situation in the
Ninth Congressional District, which state
ment has the sanction of Col. q. Slemp,
who made the race for Congress against
Congressman Rhea:
"In order to place the situation in the
Ninth Congressional District fairly and
properly before the people of Virginia, we
desire to make the following statement;
"From returns received on the night OF
the election confirmed on the following
day, and undisputed, as far as we know,
the majorities for Slemp and Rhea in the
respective counties are as follows:
For Slemp-Wise, 49S; Lee, 2Sl; Smyth,
23O; Pulaski, l; Bland, %; Tazewell, 4O2:
Wythe, so; Scott, So. Total Slemp's
majorities, 1866.
For Rhea-Bristol city AIS; Wash
ington, l13; Giles, l59; Craig, 1876; Russell,
235; Dickinson SO; Total Rhea's major
tiles, 1898.
Slemps majority in District, 45S, with
Buchanan county to be heard from.
The actual maorities from these coun-
ties are undisputed by Rhea's friends.
The commissioner of election of Wash
ington county refused to certify the re-
turns from Mendoza precinct, which gave
Slemp majority of 70.
The commissioners in Wythe county re-
fused to certify the Austinville precinct,
which gave Rhea majority Of SO, and
the Patterson precinct which gave Slemp
majority of 100, thus losing Slemp rs
votes.
The commissioners IN Tazewell county
declined to certify the returns from Girat-
ton precinct, which gave Rhea majority,
and the Liberty Hill precinct, which gave
Slemp II majority, thus losing Slemp IS
majority.
The commissioners in Russell county re-
fused to certify four precincts, which
aggregated majority for Slemp of l29.
"There may have been irregularities in
certifying the returns from Giles, Craig
and Pulaski counties, as official returns
differ from the unofficial reports, indicat'
/ N loco &c 1cO from, CloDoN
"The returns from Buchanan county,
reliable, but with one small Democatic
precinct to he heard from, show majority
for Slemp of 33. The msjorties under
this condition are as follows;
"For Slemp-Wise, 49S; Lee, 2Sl;
Smyth, 23O; Pulaski, l: Bland, %; Taze-
well, 329. Total 1864.
For Rhea-Bristol City, AIS; Washing
ington, 1872, Giles, l53; Russell, 1854; Dick
enson, So; Wythe, 26; Scott, 81. Total
1889.
"This would give Rhea majority Of 70
in the district, If all his claims be conceded
to him.
''The refusal of various commissioners
to certify the returns above indicated, is
based on purely technical grounds, the
actual vote cast at each precinct being un-
disputed.
"The Mendoza precinct in Washington
county is thrown out because it is claimed
that the polls opened at 9:15 am.
"The Patterson precinct in Wythe
county was thIown out because the poll
books we're sent by the Democratic judge
by registered mail. The Liberty Hill pre-
cinct in Tazewell county, was thrown out
because it is alleged that Is men voted
whose names were not on the registration
books.
eve do not know why the Russell
county precincts we're thrown out.
"The change Of the majority Of 5S for
Slemp in Scott county to majority of 81
for Rhea has unquestionably been brought
about by tampering with the poll books
after they were returned to the clerks Of
fee. The Frances precinct in that county
gave Slemp SO votes and Rhea 19 votes, a
majority for Slemp of "a. Erasures have
been made and figures substituted, evident
to anyone who examines the poll books,
so that the returns now show Slemp 63
votes and Rhea 49 votes, or a majority for
Slemp of IA votes. We give now the af.
fidavit of all the judges and clerks, which
explains itself.
"We the undersigned judges and clerks
at the Frances precinct, Scott county, Vir-
gina, at the election held at the said pre-
cinct on the 4th daY Of November, 1902,
do certify that at said election at said pre-
cinct William f. Rhea got 10 votes for
Congress, and Campbell Slemp at said
election at said precinct SO votes for Con-
gress, and so certified on the poll books
for said precinct for said election. This
9th day of November 1902.
(Signed) ]. f. Templeton, ]. K Frances,
Jas. Williams, judges; l. A. Hammonds,
]. P. Bellamy, clerks.
Virginia, Scott county, to wit: l, j. P.
Bellamy, notary public in and for the
county aforesaid, do certify that ]. w.
Templeton and j. X. Frances, whose
names are signed to tie foregoing certi6-
cate, personally appeared before me and
made oath in due form that the statements
made in said certificate are true.
Given under my band this 9th day Of
November, 1902.
(Signed) J. P. Bellamy, N. P.
My commission expires 18th day of July,
1903. (Signed) ]. P. Bellamy, N. P.
Virginia. Scott county, to wit: 1, Ed
ward A. Hoge, notary public in and for
the county and state aforesaid, do certify
that J. P. Bellamy, James Williams and l..
4. illmmonds, whose names are signed to