Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1910-07-15
'SLEMP A man
WHO DOES THINGS

| Is freely uiScoursing AT this time,
and we are glad il has been selected,
for il is one deserving of the fullest
and fairest discussion, In connection
with the pending campaign for Con-
gress in the Ninth District. We OBJ
serve, however, that some of these
editors who tell the people with so
much "gusto" that "Mr. Slemp is a
man who does things" will now
and then consume whole columns OF
their valuable space, undertaking TO
combat the Democratic suggestion,
that the tariff is the paramount issue
I'm the fight; that the Payne-Aldrich
bill-for which the records show
that Mr.. Slemp yoted-has an Inn
portant bearing upon the ever increas
Ing cost of living, or that Cannon
ISM" with all its far reaching and
Ubiquitous notifications has a signif
cant place I'm the controversy. Now
we wis to go about tits matter calm
ly, and to treat IL In perfectly. fair
and elligent manner.
In the first place, in all serious
ness, We respectfully submit this
question: Suppose the issue should
be joined upon what Mr.. Slemp'' has
done" during his career in Congress,
how in common fairness. could 1t
fail to involve his undisputed sup
port OF the Payne-Aldrich.. tariff bill,
and a full and free discussion of that
measure, which has descended. like
destroying augel upon the masses OF
the people of this country ;how could
ii reasonably escape embracing his
alleged support at all times, of Can
non and Cannonism, which have
done 90 much TO blight the prospects
of perpetuating the great principle
of free government amongst us, and
how could il fairly leave undemon-
strated what, if any influence, the
tariff bill which he supported, has
upon the trusts. and incidentally up
on the cost of living, as well ms 10
show what he "has done"in the way
OF getting offices foI his friends, md
OF securing appropriations for public
improvements i'm the district?
These two latter accomplishment
are To be commended. They consIi-
tute proper and legitimate part of
the mission OF Representative In
Congress, but when set beside larger
considerations, such as have just been
enumerated, they pale into absolute
insigniligsnce.
If we had the disposition TO do SO,
we might 90 on TO show that Demo-
cratic United States Senators from
Virginia had some part in securing
appropriations for public improve
ments In the Ninth, as we'll as I'm the
other districts OF the state, and that
osme OF the Democratic Representa-
tives-notably Messrs Lamb and
Maynnrd-haveb been emlnently sue
cessful in getting large sums for
their public buildings, for deepening
their harboIs, etc.
But il is not our purpose TO under
take TO deprive Mr.. Slcmp OF any
of the glory to which he lays claim,
along this or any other line. what
we want, and what he Will continue
to insist upon, is that il any part of
the record concerning Mr.. Slemp's
Congressional actions Is TO be invok-
ed In his defense, IL must be put in
evidence In It's entirety. We want
the whole voludme intact, with not
leaf removed nor single line
erased.
! Documentary evidence is consider
ed of the highest and most reliable
character in courts of justice, as we'll
as before ali other tribunals where
issues are determined, and when a
paper Is once introduced, IL is not
permissible either to omit anything
fIom it. or to read anything into it
Following this long established rule
of law, and of common justice, the
Democrats have the right to demand
all of Mr.. Slemp's record, if he and
his friends seek TO offer any part OF
it In his defense.
II it Will stand the test of public
scrutiny and discussion, his newspa-
per friends need not thus early 60 in
to Mysteries when some Democratic
editor mildly suggests that Joe Can.
non is an oppressive old autocrat,
whose tyranny is not only offensive
to true American citizens, but ha.
proved destructive OF free speech anC
untrammelled action by their Repre-.
sentatives in Congress.
II they do not fear 1t, there fl
manifestly no occasion for them L
"shy" and "buck jump" some
! one talks about protection breeding
trusts, and incidentally fixing tn
I prices of the necessaries OF life.
If 1t is such record in every re
spect as Mr.. Slemp Is willing Il
1 stand of fall by, 1t Is plainly a vast
of energy and gray matter, for ties
! editors to burn midnight iol, seekinl
/ to devise some method by which t