Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1906-09-06
Speaking at Big Stone Gap.

Big Stone Gap, Va, Sept Am
spite of the unprecedented rain fall
quite a good sized crowd gathered in
the school hall at Big Stone Gap on the
night of the 3rd, to hear the speeches
of Hon. S. Brown Allen and Hon. j. L.
Gleaves. The speakers were most hap
PLY and pleasantly introduced by Hon.
John C. Blair.
Col. Aliens speech was very effec-
tive. His principle line of thought be-
ing a comparison between the Demo-
cratic and Republican parties, respect
lively. One, he declared to be party
of promises, and the other a party of
fulfllment. He traced the history of
each for the past thirty years and show
ed that Democratic rule had always
been attended with misfortune and Re-
publican rule with success. His re-
marks were frequently received with
applause.
Mr.. Gleaves dwelt on the advance
ment of this section of the country;
spoke of the changes that had taken
place in Wise county during the past
twenty years; called attention to the
fact that the first coke oven in this
county was built little over ten years
ago and that there are now over four
thousand of them in active blast and
many more under actual construction
today. He explained that Wise county
was the richest county in the State,
and, in many respects, the most pro-
gressive. He congratulated the Sec
ton on its wonderful natural resources
and on development of these resources
through laws administered wisely by
the Republican party. He spoke of
the enterprise, energy and courage of
the citizens of Big Stone Gap in the
construction of their new school build
ing at cost of $50, 100000. He refer
red to the other school buildings that
are being erected in other parts of the
county showing that the people are
availing themselves of every possible
educational opportunity. He pleaded
for a continuation of the policy that
has made our people happy and pros
porous. He spoke eloquently and feel
ingly on the record of the Republican
candidate for Congress, Col. Slemp,
during his two terms in the National
Halls of Congress and condemned Mr..
Bruce, the Democratic candidate for
his voting, while member of the
State Senate, against submission of the
Constitution to the will of the people
for ratification. He stated that Presi-
dent Roosevelt wanted Republican
Congress elected to carry out his poll
cies and urged the audience to return
Col. Slemp to Congress by an increased
majority.
At the close of the meeting Colonel
Slemp was called on and talked with his
usual directness of emphasis of his eff
forts in Congress since he had been
member. He spoke of the difficulties in
the way Of establishing Federal Court
at Big Stone Gap and told the people at
his home town it rested mainly with
them whether they could get Federal
building or not; that their action would,
perhaps, determine the difficulty. de
was received in an enthusiastic manner
by his hearers. The feeling in this
county is that Col. Slemp will carry the
county by his usual majority. Senator
Noel was called on by the audience but
stated that the hour being late he would
prepare TO address the people of Big
Stone Gap on some future occasion.
w. H. H.