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

might win seat in Congress and then
claim a wife from the fair daughters of
Eve in 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.
Mr.. Gilbert followed Mr.. Helm with
a good speech. in which he touched
upon national affairs, the tariff, the
Man Oh Horseback, our irrepressible,
autOcratic President, the Ubiquitous
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 to
| ensure it to the Democracy.
| He declared, though it must be con
| fessed with questionable policy, that
| g ven if Lincoln had supported Madl-
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's
mild aspersiOns upon his lack Of lntiu-
ence and services in Congress, and ex-
planned that he had been hampered III
his first term by contest for his seat
| by his Republican opponent, Davidson,
/ which hung over his head like the
sword of DamoCles, and to that extent
| Jrammeled him. He alleged that he
| had secured an increase of S2O,OOO or
| 50, 900 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 ff-
teen minutes.
Mr.. Helms second speech was entire
ly different from his opening. lie
came back at Mr.. Gilbert with vlgOr
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 Nr. Helm produced the Congress
iOnal Record to show that Mr.. Gilbert
was not present on that day. As to his
influence Mr.. Helm cited a well known
incident that when the citizens of GER
tain locality in Rockcastle petitlOned
him for a postOffice instead of being
made to go ten miles for their mail.
Mr.. Gilbert had failed to secure it. AT
this juncture Congressman Gilbert arose
and responded: when Mr.. Helm
shall have served in Congress as long
AS l have he Will learn that under a
Republican administration q Democrat
has little or no influence in such mat
ters." Nevertheless" retOrted Mr.
Helm, when a Democrat in the per
sou OF Hon. James 3. McCreary put
his shoulder to the wheel, he got the
pOstofiice without anybody's outside in
fiuence" 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 Fhe 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 were 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
miliarity with public debate that was
reassurisg to his supporters.