The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1904-06-08

might win a seat in Congress and then
claim a wife from the fair daughters of
Eve i'm the land famed throughout
ChristendOm for its beautiful women,
the grand Old Commonwealth of Ken
lucky. Mr.. Helms opening speech
was frequently interrupted by applause
and made a good impression, not so
much as a studied effort at high flown
OratOry with Greece and Rome as his
principal text. but with the Issues Of
the present and the obligation Of Mad
isOn TO return now at this first
opportunity. the kindness in part to
her ever loyal neighboring county of
Lincoln.
MIR. Gilbert followed Mr.. Helm with
a good speech. in which he touched
upon national affairs, the tariff, the
| Man OH Horseback, our irrepressib bic,
autOcratic President, the iniquitOus
trusts. with inevitable ruin and wreck
age of our Republic unless We return TO
| the simplicity OF the Fathers and the
| fundamentals of the Constitution and
| Declaration of Independence. Mr.. Gil
| bert then took up Mr.. Helms reasons
| for desiring to go to Congress and ridi-
culed the idea of a crusty bachelor ask
ing a district to send him to Washing
ton so he could get him wife, declar-
ing that he (Gilbert) wanted to return
to Congress not for the honor but for
the chance to do his district some good.
As to Mr.. Helms claims upon Madison
for the support OF Lincoln TO our candi-
dates for Governor, Senator, Congress
man. Auditor, ETC., Mr.. Gilbert said
/ that his county of Shelby was always
depended upon to supply the majority
that finally won those honOrs, and that
his county and Anderson and Spencer
had been placed in this district 70
ensure it to the Democracy.
| He declared, though il must be con
fessed with questionable policy, that
even if Lincoln had supported Madi-
son candidates, the latter were always
of such high class as to merit the sup
port of Lincoln. Mr.. Gilbert then
turned his attention to Mr.. Helm 8
mild aspersiOns upon his lack Of infiu-
ence and services in Congress, and eX-
planned that he had been hampered III
his first term by a contest for his seat
by his Republican opponent, Davidson,
which hung over his head like the
sword of Damocles, and to that extent
lrammeled him. He alleged that he
had secured an increase of $4,000 or
SO, 600 for the completion OF the Gov
eminent building at Richmond, and
now had a bill up for $4,000 70 be re-
/, funded to the county of Madison from
the U. s. Treasury. This latter bill, he
) declared, no new Congressman could
pilot TO a winning finish, and hoped his
hearers would remember that when
case of Importance was up IN court, the
clients were always 10th to exchange
their old lawyers for new ones. Mr..
Gilbert spoke nearly his full time and
as the rain began to descend IN tor
rents. almost drowning his voice, be
resigned his place on the floor to Mr.
Helm for the latter's rejoinder OF fif-
teen minutes.
Mr.. Helms second speech was entire
ly different from his opening. He
came back at Mr.. Gilbert with vIgOr
and upset the Congressman calcula
tiOns aud claims as to his pre-eml-
nence in Congress. Mr.. Gilbert had
stated that he remained at Washington
up to the closing hours Of Congress and
left for home within two hours, where
as Mr. Helm produced the Congress
iOnal Record to show that Mr.. Gilbert
was not present on that day. As to his
influence Mr.. Helm cited well known
incident that when the citizens OF GER
tain locality in ROckcastle petitloned
him for a postOffice instead OF being
made to 90 ten miles for their mail,
Mr.. Gilbert had failed to secure 1t. AT
this juncture Congressman Gilbert arose
and responded: when Mr.. Helm
shall have served in Congress as long
AS / have he Will learn that under
Republican administration Democrat
has little or no influence in such mat
ters." Nevertheless" retorted Mr..
Helm, when a Democrat in the per
son of Hon. James 3. McCreary put
his shoulder to the wheel, he got the
pOstofice without anybody's outside in
huence!" This was received with loud
cheers, and enliYened the occasion.
Mr.. Helm produced receipts to show
his contributions TO the success OF Mad
ison's several county candidates in the
county OF Lincoln and in rhe district,
while he declared Mr.. Gilbert had been
ungenerous in his contributions to even
his own campaign in Madison county,
allowing it to fail heavily upon the To-
cal candidates.
Both speakers were Literally applaud
ed. and the friends of both we're well
satisfied with their efforts. AS this
was Mr. Helms first public appearance
here he received the more critical in
spection, and accordingly launched into
his subject with moderation and dig
nifty but yet with a confidence and IA
miiarity with public debate that was
reassurisg TO his supporters.
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