Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1908-10-08
A GREAT DAY
AT TAZEWELL.
The ByaS-Slsmp Joint Discussion Brings
Out A Large Crowd.
REPUBLICANS HOST NUMEROUS.
Both Speakers We're Literally Applsuded =
Many Ladies Attended, and the Dis
cussiOn Ended With the Best
or Feeling.

The joint debate between Hon. J.
Cloyd Byars, Democratic candidate for
Congress. and Hon. C. Bascom Slemp.>
present Congressman from the Ninth
District, and again the candidate of his
party, came off in the court house at
this place on last Saturday afternoon,
beginning at O'Clock.
The weather conditions were very
tine, and one of the largest crowds ever
seen here on a similar occasion was
present to witness the combat between
what Judge Graham called ''the young
game ROSTERS of their respective par
ties" The terms of the debate as
agreed upon were, that Mr.. Byars
should open in speech of one hour, to
be followed by Mr.. Slemp in a speech
OF one hour, each to have a fifteen min
utes rejoinder.
Mr.. Byars was introduced to the au-
dience 10y Judge Graham in brief but
pleasant speech.
AS announced by the correspondent of
the Democratic papers, Mr.. Byars was
at great disadvantage, but not from
any lack Of respectful attention from
the large crowd of TazeweIl voters. Ee
must have realized that he was speak
ing to men who were not in sympathy
with the position he has taken in the
campaign or the policies he is advocat-
ing. One half or more of his opening
speech was occupied in explaining and
defending his own record, in anticipa-
ton of the assault which his adversary
would make upon him The remainder
was devoted to propounding questions
to MIR. Slemp, which were more than
satisfactorily answered by that gentle
man.
When Mr.. Byars had concluded,
Barns Gillespie, in a short incisive
speech, introduced Mr. Slemp. He had
not proceeded very far until it was
plainly evident that the crowd was
overwhelmingly Republican, and en-
Enthusiastically for Taft and Slemp. His
exposure of the Senatorial record Of
MIR. Byars was scathing, and brought
humiliation to that gentleman and his
political friends who sat about him.
On national issues Mr.. Slemp spoke
briefly. but to the point. In former
speech at this place Mr.. Byars charged
that Mr.. Slemp had supported Judge
Rhea In his race against General Walk
er. Mr.. Slemp made indignant denial
Of the truth of the charge, and said that
he knew of nothing worse that could be
said about him than to say that he had
supported Rhea. This declaration of
Mr.. Slemp was greeted with shouts of
approval from the Republicans.
In his rejoinder, Mr.. Byars was very
tame, showing that he was confused by
the apparent hostile sentiment of the
crowd. He, however, identified himself
more thoroughly with Rheaism by de-
claring that if the Slemps had support
ed Rhea it would have been the best act
in their political lives. He got himself
into hole by charging that Speaker
Cannon was Gar of the House of Rep
resentatives, and by asking Mr.. Slemp
if that was not true.
Mr.. Slemp made his rejoinder fast
and hot. He declared that the Repub-
licans were not in favor of re-enfran-
chising the negro voters in the Eastern
part of the State and thereby restore to
the Democrats their most valuable as
set. And he illustrated by showing how
the great white districts of the State
gave Hoge handsome majorities for
Governor, and how the negro votes in
Eastern Virginia were stolen and count
ed for Montague. He also told Mr..
Byars that the House of Representa-
tlyes made its own Rules, and could
change them at any time; that Speaker
Cannon was not the dictator of that
body, and that the Republicans did not
intend to permit Democratic minority
to rule the House and prevent the Re
puhlicans from enacting needed legis-
lation. During the latter part of his
closing speech the Republican candidate |
was the recipient of such hearty cheers |
from his supporters that his voice could |
not be heard much of the time.
The day was q most satisfactory one |
for the Republicans. Fhe Democrats |
were bitterly disappointed. They were |
disappointed in their candidate, and as
tonished to find that the Republicans in |
Tazewell are more united and earnest |
than they have ever been.