The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-11-16
STUART QUESTIONS
SLEMP'S ELECTION

BRISTOL VA November H.
With the calling Of a meeting af the
Ninth district Democratic committee
fer November u at Pulaski - Chair
man 81. CLAIR. ii now looks as though
L4ere may Ice a Contest ntade ny HenrN
<. stuart against the election ct tsas-
com ol.mp. the Republican,, who. on
tae face ot election Gag returns re-
Ieitea MAJORITY of 231 votes over
the Democratic nominee,
Mr. ST. Glars actiuh was taken
after public letter had been given
Eut.t In Roanoke by Mr.. stuart. The
chairman IN his call FOR the meeting
ur geo every mem Der Of the committee
and ali the special district commit
teemen TO attend,
AIR. stuart stated IN his letter that
he had been informed that Irregular
lies existed in the election and while
he was not prepared 10 make any
aefintte allegations againstffhe q. o.
/ L. candidate or party. he wished the
, committee t. investigate and he
would abide bg lis decision.
stuart's iett.r
Mr.. STARTS letter JofI0ws.
ITO the Democrats OF the Ninth Viz
GINA District:
According to the face Of the re
turns, Mr. G. Bascon Slenp, the Re-
publican nominee. has been elected
to congress from our district by &.
mai rity of 2tT. The definite ligures
OF the result VIII be known from the
State board of canyassers. wnicn
meets on the twenty eighth day ~
November. at Richmond. The duty
of this board Is confined to compiling
and reporting the figures from the
various counties and issuing a certiii-
cate accordingly
1T must be recognized aS a funda-
mental principle, that no man can be
elected to any office unless he has re-
eeived the Votes OF n majority of the
legally qualified voters participating
/ IL tire elertion.
III was convinced, that Mr.. Slemr
i had received such majority, woula
/ accept chcerfufy the figures as re
i ported, well satisfied with the work
OF the Democratic party in redncins
a majority Of 4,1o1 by Aeut $500
and looking forward confidently to
future victories. local ard general for
/ the party In the district 1t has been
brought to rhg notice. however. on
evidence SO strong as to demand Sc
rieus attention. that many Illegal
votes were cast and counted for Mr..
Stamp. I feel that IN justice to the
party and people WHO have done me
the honor To make me their stand
ard bearer, | must ask full inyesti-
CATION Of this election, with the pur-
nose of arriving at an honest result,
. Therefore, | shall refer the matter IN
the Democratic district oeminittee.
the lawfully constituted authority OF
the party, that it may consider such
evidence as may be submitted. |
shall then hold myself subject to the
advice and instructions Of this COM
mittee, on the question OF whether
or not to make formal contest for
the scat before the House of Repre-
senf atives.
Meanwhile, | ask all loyal Demo
Gratis and all my supporters To await
patiently the action and decision OF
the party authorities. I feel that
can say for the commission. as for
myself. that there is is no purpose
to take advantage of any technicality
CT take action, except sucR as may
be necessary To make sure, as nearlS
as possible, that the district shall be
represented By the man receiving the
majority OF the legal votes cast
have acted On this principle steadily,
whether friend Tor foe suffered by it's
application, and l command il espe-
ciaily to those, Of my opponents who
have clamored so foudly for purity
| III elections
However, such an Investigation
may locats; election frauds, IL any
have been committed. and identity
those guilty OF therR and separate