Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-06-23

bought Under some OF my delegates and
can defeat me, but say they will not If
will agree to be friendly" which
means, of course, to vote as they desire
on their franchises"
"And you spat upon them, Of course"
cried the girl, clinching her hands.
Woolcott's eyes dropped and the color
mounted his cheeks
Not exactly" he stammered. Il
knew your heart was set upon it-and-
and the idea of defeat is so hard-that--
that-to tell the truth, temporized.
took ten minutes to consider and came
straight to you"
1--WE want no honor, bought from
those who charge the usury Of self-re-
spect," returned the girl, her eyes blaz-
ing.
Forgive me, Helen" said the man,
Strengthening, my mind was befuddled
Il was weak, where l should have been
strong. will give them the answer"
The girl stepped closer and placed her
hand on Woolcott's arm.
Don't give up. Arthur" she said.
Flight them-Fight, fight, fight. l love
you, whether you win or lose"
Woolcott's eyes wandered DULY over
the scene before him. He saw the
crowded galleries and the floor below
slowly filling with delegates. He saw
the flag draped about the desk on the
stage. He saw the decorations and po-
litical notices hung about the hall.
All these things he saw as in a dream.
Then the fire flashed into his eyes as
though a spark from those Of the girl
had struck them.
"By heavens, will" he said, "and III
give them a body blow" He turned
abruptly and went down the stairs two
steps at time. The girl smiled family
and returned to her seat.
The convention was called to order and
the preliminaries were hurried through:
While the credential committee was
verifying the list Of delegates, the chair
man asked the two candidates for the
nomination for the state senate, the only
contested place, to address the conven-
ton.
Judge Manning spoke first and made a
ringing address which brought great ap-
plause.
Then Arthur Woolcott was announced.
He was greeted with applause because
he was popular man and orator. AS
he mounted the stage a murmur OF sur
prise ran through the hall. Always dash
ing, bouyant and brilliant, the young
lawyer came forward, pale, solemn-al-
most difident.
81 stand here to tell you, my fellow
citizens" he said in clear, impressive
tones, that am undoubtedly defeated
for the position to which l aspired. I
regret it only as the forces which have
defeated me menace the safety Of the
state and the cause of popular govern
ment. Within the hour l have been
offered a guaranty of the nomination II
would pay the price. cannot do 1t
and retain my manhood, so have de-
cided to remain a layman among you. |
have enough delegates instructed for me
to nominate me together with three
unfnstructed delegates who will vote for
me-John Martin, of Crater Andrew
Holmin, of Pigeon Crossing, and William
Peters, of the Third ward. But the rep
resentauves of the G. T. & B have shown
me almost indubitable proof that six
delegates instructed for me have been
reached by influences which they con-
troll and will find pretext to vote for
nv opponent. l confess my deep disap-
pointment at my impending defeat but,
my fellow citizens, cannot go to the
CAPITAL as the representative of private
corporation, and since l cannot go as the
representative Of the people prefer to
remain at home. make these state
ments. not at all in prejudice of Judge
Manning, whose integrity do not doubt,
but only that the delegates who intend
to betray their instructions may be
placed on record for what they are-the
creatures of the G. T. & B."
Woolcott seated himself amid the most
profound silence ever seen in a political
convention. The delegates scarcely
breathed for the next few minutes.
Away back near a window Maj. Robey
dropped heartfelt damn"
When the roll was called on the nomi-
nation for state senator not one of Wool
colts instructed delegates had the face
to "stay bought" and he received the
nomination by a majority of two.
When the roll was finished and before
It was announced pale faced girl In the
gallery arose and flung bouquet of roses
full upon the stage at Woolcott's feet.
and went toward the door nearly on a
run, laughing Historically.
mn Dts