The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-08
Thy Name is Blackburn,
Bellows He of the
Brushes.
THAT IN SUBSTANCE
He Shows that the Knight of fhe
R-ran-tan, tan, Il Can Beat No Re-
treat" Record, Himself Must
Face Some Martial
Music.
Especial to News and observer.)


Statesville, N. c., March I'm
printed pamphlet sent out to the Repub-
lican voters of the Eighth district ex-
Congressman Linney made further reply
to Spencer Blackburn regarding his ac-
cusations of his unfaithfulness to the
Republican party. 1t is as follows:
Hon. Spencer Blackburn has published
a statement that / have not been loyal
in my support of the Republican party,
especially touching : his election. l de-
sire to make the following statement:
II have voted for every Republican
candidate on our ticket for the last
eighteen years. 1 voted for the honor
able gentleman himself under clrcum-
stances that no other Republican in the
district would have done. In the year '94
after one of the most exciting campaigns
that has ever been in the State I was
elected to Congress by the largest Re-
publican majority ever given a Republl-
can in the district. l met my opponent,
w H. Bower. in joint discussion in every
county in the district The discussion
grew so hot that it resulted in fight
in LenoIr
When L took my seat in Congress
knowing that Spencer Blackburn had been
defeated in what was supposed to be
Republican district by Hon. w. c. New
land and at the earnest request OF some
of Mr. Blackburn's friends, l appointed
him my private secretary. This was the
first office / gave any one. Among the
next appointments was that OF his broth
or as postmaster at Boone. | then
ing blackburn for assistant district at
torney, and he held that office several
years. / don't belicne that 1 made
single appointment in Ashe, Watauga or
Alleghany in which did not consult
Blackburn about It. / had great diff
Guilty in withstanding his oftIepeated
appeals for the appointment of a Demo
crat, Mr. Doughton, postmaster at Laurel
Springs.
81 endeavored . supply Mr.. Blackburn
with public documents, sent him copy
of almost evc.y valuable one I had. How
did he treat me when he got in for one
term only? He never wrote me single
letter or consulted me on any subject
during his term. He never sent me
single public document.
Senator Pritchard and Mr.. Kluttz sent
me documents.
'sfIe also went to work to throw out of
Office every official who obtained office
by my endorsement. Though every one
of them was a Republican. Yet I voted
for him. Is there any other man in the
district thus treated that would have
voted for him? think not, and yet he as
sails my loyalty to the party
again when r. B. Glenn Published On
article in the Charlotte Observer of
most damaging character against Black
burn after his nomination but before his
election, was the first Republican IN the
district to rush to his defense in reply to
GIenn's attack upon him. Blackburn
promptly wrote me letter thanking me
for my defense of him. The Hon. n G.
Reynolds also wrote a very nice letter
on the subject Yet Blackburn publishes
a criticism of me. assailing my loyalty
to the party and to him.
''Jn 1902 our Republican party leaders
in the judicial and Congressional dis
tricts were Moses Harshaw and Black
burn. They both started out showing the
white feather Mr.. Harshaw did not for
several days after tn. beginning o: the
campaign meet Mr. Coftey. Mr.. CoTey
was making certin charges against the
official life OF Mr.. Harshaw. l heard,
of their true character and sent Prot
Pool to him to urge him to meet Mr.. oCf-
fey. | took the position that tire color
bearer of the party should defend It and
himself assail Mr.. Harshaw met his OPP
ronent himself and mcst interesting
campaign ensued. Mr.. Harshaw succeed
ed and came out winner Mr.. Blackburn
refused TO meet his opponent, Mr.. Kluttz,
except once and was ingloriously de-
feated.'
THE late lamented Mckinley gave this
utterance in one of his messages: Public
discussion is an essential principle of lib
erty. The cause OF truth is always best
served by discussion. No learned or just
Judge would render judgment on any
question without hearing argument on
both sides Every voter is judge He
is entitled to hear argument before he
votes.
SHOULD the Republicans of the Eighth
District prefer foot race to an honorable
discussion in which the Republican flag
shall be defiantly Haunted in the face of
the Democrats, then Mr.. Blackburn is the
most suitable candidate in the district and