Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1910-10-20

| VIM HOieASk VI tue SlknerS makes
specific statement that he voted for the
resolution. Nor do they state in specific
language that more than seven voted
upon the resolution.
A very defective feature of the af-
fidavit Id. that the meeting was a rep
resentative body of citizens, composed
of members of both parties; and that
such meeting gave a unanimous vote
for proclamation of the constitution.
This cannot be true, or the name OF
some prominent Republican who voted
for the resolution would have been men
toned in or attached to the affidavit.
The affidavit is unsatisfactory aud in-
sufficient in that it does not have the
signatureof B. T. Wilson, the man who
offered the resolution. MIR. Wilson lives
at Lebanon, is lawyer by profession
and is a Democrat.
The closing words of the affidavit
show that the atlantis were more eager
and willing to favor Mr.. Stuart than to
give an accurate account II what trans
pired in that meeting. They closed
their affidavit by swearing that: The
said instructions were given him with
out any suggestion or solicitation upon
his part"
How could these atlantis safely make
oath to this statement? 1t is, to saw
the least, inaccurate in substituting the
word Instructions, - that was not used
IN the resolution, for the word request
ing, " which was used in the resolution.
How could the memories of these twelve
men reach back for eight years and saw
that neither Mr.. Stuart nor any one
actirg for him had suggested or solicit
ed the offering and passing of the reso-
luton in the meeting7 Possibly the
man who offered the resolution might
be qualified to speak in this matter; but
as he has not spoken, we have a right
to presume that he did not care to sub
scribe to the uncertain affidavit which
bas been made by twelve of Mr.. Stu
arts willing witnesses, and join in what
is plainly a misleading statement and
reckless suppression Of fact. Mr.. B. T.
Wilson, who offered the resolution, re-
sides at Lebanon, is a lawyer by pro-
fession and is Democrat.
Ne jury of unbiased men would give
credit to this affidavit as against the
positive statements of G. B. johnson.
who was secretary of the meeting, es-
peclally as he is corroborated and sus-
tanned by the declarations of a number
Of honorable citizens of Russell county.
These latter were present when Mr..
Stuart addressed the meeting; and saw
they knew nothing of the resolution un-
I'll 1t appeared in the Lebanon News.
ten days after the meeting was held.
These men all declare they would have
voted against the resolution if they had
been present when it was introduced.
There are many other things and cir
cumstances that confirm Mr.. Johnson's
statements.
There Il the account given of the
meeting in the Lebanon News. II
shows that Captain Gent was made
chairman Of the meeting which passed
the resolution; that he explained the OBJ
Jsct of the meeting when he took the
chair; that Mr.. johnson was made Sec
Rotary of the meeting; and that B. T.
Wilson Immediately thereafter offered
the resolution. This shows that another
meeting was called and held after MIR.
Stuart made his speech; and that the
whole thing was preconcerted-a cut
and-dried affair.
Mr.. Stuart at Wise read from the
Lebanon News of the End of May, 1902.
the notices for the meeting he address
ed. The call was az follows:
"Hon. H. C. Stuart will address, tn.
citizens Of Russell at tho courthouse on |
the 9th day of May, 1902. court dav. On
the new constitution. Let everybody |
come out and hear him."
Notice No. 2 Come to court and
hear Hon. H. C. Stuart on the new con-
stitution. He will explain the suffrage
clause, and every white man ought to
hear him. The strong and able fight
made by him in the constitutional con-
Vention for white man suffrage is ap-
preciated by the white man of the Ninth
Congressional district, as well az everv