Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-02-04
DECLARES THAT JUDGE RHEA
IL \ MAN OF ABILITY, CAPAC-
ITI, INTELLIGENCE AND
NERVE.
GOVERNOR IS STRONG
IN HIS ENDORSEMENT
~ VIII Stake the Future Success of
My Administration ON Judge
Rhea's Ability" Says the Govern
or-Followcd by Henry G. Stuart.

Richmond. Va, Feb. 4.-Cheers
and vigorous applause echoed
throughout the senate chamber last
night when Governor Swanson, on
the witness stand before the joint
committee or investigation, stated
firmly, II will stake the future sue
cess of my administration on Judge
Rhea's ability to fulfill the require
ments of a member OF the state cor
poration commission"
EULOGIZED HIS NOMINEE.
The governor remained on the
stand nearly an hour and through
out his testimony eulogized his nom
inee. In appropriating Judge Rhea
thought that Southwest Virginia
was entitled to representation on the
commission. / knew him in CON
gress as a man OF ability. capacity.
intelligence and nerve heard a
good deal OF the testimony given in
the investigation there when not one
fact was established against him and
when a committee, largely Republi-
cans. reported in his favor. am
willing to say that there is nothing
personal about Judge Rhea which
makes him unfit for the corporation
commission and ! have the utmost
app GIauna In, b{,,
IN response TO a question, did
you receive many petitions In behalf
OF Judge Rhea," Governor Swanson
replied. II have always ignored petit
tions in appointing n man to fill any
public office. and have always re-
lied upon my personal knowledge Of
the man"
Attroney Bullitt asked. Would
you think that cheating Republicans
would unfit a man for the corpora
tion commission" and Governor
Swanson vehemently answered. II
do, but on the other hand, think
party service a badge of honor"
Don't be excited" interrupted
Bullitt, and the governor turning
upon him said, II am not in the
least excited, but ! wish to be firm
in my statements"
MIR. STUART TAKES STAND.
Governor Swanson was followed
by Henry G. Stuart, the retiring
commissioner
Stuart stated that the only evil
dence he could give would be GER
tain papers in his possession. and
there Immediately arose a question
as to the admissibility OF a letter
which he had written after hearing
OF a telephone message alleged 10
have been Ant TO some Of his ennis
saries by Judge Rhea The letter
was finally admitted and thereafter
the trend OF the argument turned 10
the message, a telegram which had
been phoned TO Stuarts home to a
man named VI. c. Clark, a supporter
OF Judge Rhea.
BulIitt asked the question to whom
the telegram was sent, I'm the outset
OF his endeayors 10 learn something
Of the message. Not until he was
assured that the message purported
20 connect Judge Rhea with some
specific act did Attorney Irvine agree
TO admit &C.. Bullltt. I'm hghung for
the admission Of the telegram. said
that he understood the position OF
the defense. that they knew the let.
ter and were unwilling TO risk its
presentation
Finally Stuart was told to- give
the contents Of the message as ne ro-
membered them, which were as fol.
lows: Get hold OF Buchanan re.
turns. withhold them Important
should have certificate" This was
the first time since the rial opened
that a specific act had been laid a,
Judge Rbea's door
BRANDED IT As FALsEHOOD.
Judge Rhca took the stand soon
after stuart had completed his tes
timony. and branded the inanuaUor
that he had sent such a telegram as
an absolute falsehood.
j defy any man to face me and
say that J. was the author OF such
| n message know that even thJ
Republicans of the ninth district
viii give mo credit for more sense
than to have sent such message
around The country at such q time
Judge Rhea completed his tesu
mony las. night
BuIIiff said Iaef Dfg1,t th.t d.. ~