The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-28
Men Said to Be Proni.
nentIinI Democratic Party
Side With Republican.
NOTED LAWYER
WRITES TO HIM
Friends OF Nominee Attack the
Record of Men Who Sent Let
tcrs-Judge Phlegar to As
sist in Dcfense-Hear-
ing Will Begin This
Afternoon.

Unexpected Developments yesterday
Intensified public interest In the Rhea
Investigation. which will begin before
the General Assembly's Joint Committee
on Confirmation this afternoon at 3
o'clock In the Senate chamber. and
which promises to furnish Il sensation
In legislative circles before It is over
Senator John c. Noel OF Lee. who
started the inquiry by protesting In the
Joint Assembly last week against the
confirmation OF the appointment OF
Judge Rhca as Corporation Commissions
er yesterday offered u resolution call.
ing upon the Governor for all letters,
kilograms aud resolutions touching the
appointment, and the matter went over
until to-day. when II VIII De debated
md disposed of. Chairman West. Of
the Joint committee, presented in the
House. an emergency biz to pay all the
expenses OF the Investigation. Ser
gcant-at- Arms Frank b.. Watkins. OF
tic Senate. who has been in the South
west for several days summoning wit
nessas, returned last night, and he de-
clares that large number called for
both Sides will arrive here this morn.
1ng.
R1,en Coming To-Day.
According TO his friends. Judge Rhea
will come in by the same train. and
the first real step In the direction Of
hearing evidence will be taken this af-
tcrnoon. 1t Is understood that Hon. A.
a. Campbell. of Wythe. Will appear as
counsel for Judge Rhea. and that Judge
"A. a. Phlegar, of Bristol, will assist
In the defense.
When seen last night. Senator Noel
MAS apparently quite cheerful over the
- ut, 4. II.
was in receipt OF u letter from q noted
lawyer in Southwest Virginia, who is
cIassed as u strong Democrat. but who
offered his services and expressed his
S Willingness 10 conduct the examination
on tae part OF Senator Noel. provided
Judge Rhea has counsel. which he VIII
have, or COURSE Senator Noel does
not wish to disclose the name OF this
lawyer for the present, but tile writer
Will arrive here this morning. and 1t
will be determined after conference
whether or not the opposition to Judge
Rhea Will be represented by counsel.
The letter states that the writer is in
( thorough sympathy with the Senator
from Lee, and that IL he appears as
counsel 1t will be absolutely without
compensation
Some Biting References.
a Scott county LAWYER, whose name
Senator Noel also prefers to withhold.
but who Is understood to be II Demo-
crat, writes TO the Senator letter
Rfich is in part as follows:
II zee in your charges before the Sem
ate agains, the said w. f. Rhea that
you charge fraud In general way.
What YOU need to charge TO make more
specific is that In the campaign TN
1902 II ]. am correct as TO this DAT, dn,e)
between the said Rhea and g. siemp,
that the said semp truly and actually
got majority OF the votes OF this
county that on the he night nigh of OF the soa,s: day
,f tho following precincts In this county,
namely. Rye Cove. Jennings and Francis
were altered and forged 50 as to show
.,. said poll books majority for said
Rhea; also, that on the day after the
said election and before Inc night OF
said day one ". s. Hamilton tnow. de-
eeased but q tool for sad RheaJ, OF the +
city OF Bristol. VA, and warm sup
porter OF said Rhea, came 70 Gate City
shat day, and that the said Hamilton
together with Deputy Clerk e. NJ. Min
nd kneS the a i.sp vault
u said office. and also one notorious
:. H. cowden. clandestneiy took from
the said clerks Office the poll hooksS
from the said three voting precincts and
changed. altered and forged said poll
BOOKS. thereby giving to said Rhea q 4
Majority OF the votes OF this county, all
5f which was at the conntvance sug-
:estion. consent and full knowledge Of 8
ane salu hHca. ss3b 5j5s b
Names Of Witnesses.
"If the Investigation Ia not to be
farce, and a fnl and fair investigation
Is to be had and made. let the Senate
committee summon the following named
parties from this county. WHO are able
to speak as i have above indicated,
namely:
~, Il. Richmond. clerk OF the court
for scott county tspa cum duces to.
pump, to bring the three aforesaid poll
books, which Will speak for themselves.
~. w. Tcmpleton (thMl}. Judge of
slection from, Francis precinct who 1nade
return oi the poll book from said pre-
cinct. fl55
'.W. r. Fnsute and Emn,et Wofen-
barger, judges of election from Rye Cove II
precinct. They will show Cowden up
who did the forgery ii'E%
-. Henderson Wolfe. from Jennings
precinct, who returned the poll books to
the clerks office. f'ss 4 3lE7sE"7 n 4 L
s"John. p. Bellamy. from Francis pre-.
ctnct, who knows all about the tally
sheet being kept on5a page OF the poll n
book, and which tally corresponds with
the correct vote. YAK 55sj
Senator. your course in this mater
10 meeting with the approval or all hon.
sS ost .cltizens. nd II lis our hope thai d 3
fair investigation may be had, hat the
criminal corruption due alone to WE. Z
ess Rlleu as the iginator will result In the
Senate refusing to confirm his appoints
Ment. that so me prominent and uesery-