The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-26
SENATOR N|CKHAM'S
PLEA AGAINST RHEA'S
CONFIRMATION
CONTINUED From Third Page.)

Smith had been and was friend OF his, and
Throughout Smiths testimony this friendship
was apparent and manifested by his eager
desire to shield his friend in every way
q charge OF perjury. Attention Is particu-
larly directed to pages slS to g. OF record
, ins this. Smith was party chairman and a
close friend OF Judge Rhea. and at his
headquarters in Bristol had consulted about
what was legal ballot. Judge Rhea had
there given advice about legal ballot---he
Goes not say to whom-,and a legal ballot
az the Scott count, ballot admittedly for
the sole purpose of helping Judge Rhea
These are practically undisputed facts. What
IS the fair and natural conclusion from
them?
The next charge relates to the frauds in
the Congressional election of 1902 in Scott.
russell. Buchanan and Washington counties.
II Is not disputed by any one that frauds or
Irregularities amounting to fraud were COM
Hitted in all of these counties. The election
IN eo2 was on Tuesday, the tn. The cleo
toral boards in each county and majority
OF he judges OF election at each precinct
were Democrats.
The Election Contest.
It appears from Mr.. Ashworth's testimony
on page a27 II recosd (printed record. page
SD. that on the night Of the election he and
number OF the friends of Judge Rhea had
a conference In Bristol because they had
heard the election was very close and some
OF the election" and 80 they, determined to
send out men TO some Of the different coun-
tes IN the district to prevent itHls. On tho
next day the 5th. Mr.. Stone Went to Abing-
don, in Washington: Hamilton. the gentle
i'Sa who, took the census. to Gate City. in
Scott and Ashworth himself to Lebanon In
Russell, from where he dispat ched Mr.. Tom
LccBert to Cirundy, In Buchanan, which he
reached on the second or third day after the
election. (See Dennis testimony, page 2le
OF record. printed record. page 50)
All these gentlemen reached the respective
very day the canvasslng boards met And
in each case frauds or Irregularities amounts
Ing to frauds, that changed majorlties for
Slemp to majorltles for Rhea followed their
coming. Judge Price went to Pulaski after
the canvassing board met ana neither in
that county nor in any other of theNthirtcen
counties of tho district, except in those mem
toned above. was there fraud or 'intmatIon
of fraud. The evidence shows that in each
&C unity OF the four In which frauds. were
committed the transfer of votes from slemp
I, Rhea was sk!lfully done. with reference
tn the maJorities In the whole district SO
that only as much fraud was committed in
certainly the purpose, 1t seems natural
conclusion from this fact that the whole
scheme was directed by one mind. On the
9TH telegram was received at Mr.. STARTS
store. in Russell county, from w. r. Rhea
70 NJ. G. Clark. MI. Clark was then the
t,easurer of Russell county. and is described
by Mr., STUART as a man who took pretty
not necessary TO set out this telegram, as ii
WI. be found In the record ON page All
TEtnted record, l67). THAI 1t would be
pchody denies 5S n l,
MN Sent by n "Tool Friendsn
Il II Is in,portaIt, therefore, 10 consider Il q
l!tua,s u ia not seriously denied that 1t wal