Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1909-12-09
JUST SUPPOSE.

Sh WI OOLf
Certain of the Democratic newspa-
pers in this State are again beginning
to entertain their readers with surges-
lions as to how the party can retake
the Ninth Congressional District At
regular intervals of two years, since
1902, the oraeular press have been de-
livering their revelations and demon
strating how the much desired end
could be accomplished.
The Lynchburg News has concluded
to be the early bird for the next cleo
ton, and has undertaken by the state
ment of list of suppositions to show
the Democrats of the Ninth how they
can elect a man to Congress in 1910.
The News says:
Just suppose Democrats of the
Ninth Congressional District-just sup
pose this"
The substance of the suggestions of
the News is: That the Democrats should
have an alert, vigorous organization in
the Ninth; that this organization should
meet now and look after the poll tax
payments; that each precinct in the
district should have vigilant commit
tee to look after the poll tax matter;
that as a result the Democratic elector-
ate would be increased in number, three.
four or five thousand; that Bob Bruce.
of Wise; or Lee Trinkle, of Wythe; or
Frank Buchanan, of Smyth, were chosen
to make the fight against Bascom
Slemp." The News then climaxes its
oracle with:
Suppose these things should hap
pen, then you would suppose the exis-
tence of conditions which would mean
the election of a Democrat to repre-
sent the Ninth Virginia District in the
next United States Congress.
Most of the Democrats and all the
Republicans out this way will be amused
at these impossible suggestions of the
Lynchburg News. There is not a sue-
gestion among them, except the suppos-
able increase in the Democratic elector-
ate, that has not previously been tested
and found unavailing. The Democrats of
the Ninth have had an alert and vigor-
Gus organization and have been coached
by that expert manipulation of elections,
]. Taylor Ellyson. They have looked
after the payment of the poll taxes with
scrupulous care, and have polled a vote
quite double the Democratic vote of
any other district in the State. And
they have had their best men, joseph
c. Wysor. R. P. Bruce, and j. Cloyd
Byars, as their successive candidates,
in vain effort to defeat the Slemps for
Congress. That what they have been
unable to do can now be done by any
other candidate, through the use of the
same instrumentalities that were used
for their assistance, is preposterous
and unreasonable.
But the Lynchburg News has sue
ceeded in arousing the attention of the
Richmond Journal and the Bristol Her
aid Courier; and they have chimed in
with the News and its absurd suppose
tons. So, the Republicans of the
Ninth District may confidently look for
another rainbow chasing campaign on
the part Of the Democrats in the Ninth
District. The way the Republicans
will dissipate the rainbow will be the
same as heretofore, the piling up of
four thousand, or more. majority for
the Republican candidate, whether that
candidate be Bascom Slemp or any one
of the strong men the party has and
may choose to lead it.
Why didn't the Lynchburg News say,
Suppose the moon is green cheese"
or"suppose your aunt were your uncle"
Such suppositions are about as reason
able as those offered by the News to
encourage the Democrats to make a
hopeless fight for Congress in this dis
trict next year.