Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1911-08-17
TO THE VOTERS OF TAZEWELL COUNTY

gated convention, such as has been call
ed, friend of DIR. Greever suggested
that a mass meeting would be prefer
able. A member of the committee came
to me and reported the fact. | request
ed him to go back to the meeting and
inform the committee that mass meet
ing would be perfectly acceptable to
me. This was done, and DR.. Greever's
friend, Mr.. NJ. L. Peery, who is his
brother-in-law, declined to offer a mo-
tlon for the holding of mass-meeting,
and abruptly left the convention meet
ing. DOES THIS LOOK LIKE both
OF OUR SUGGESTIONS w Err E
SPURNED AND TURNED DOWN."
or does it look like both were mere sub
terfuges from which DIR. Greever's
friends ran away when they thought
they might be accepted?
DR.. Greever, in desperation, makes a
very unwarranted appeal to the Repub-
hcan voters for their support by say
ing:
''If the voters of this county are
in favor of fair play and square
deal, and know they are, l believe
they will stand by me in this fight
against ring rule, one man power
and family domination.
This is a distinct charge that the
county committee, through my procure
ment, has refused to give DIR. Greever
square deal" For the committee.
as well as myself, pronounce this
charge as utterly untrue. Can there be
any fairer treatment extended a candi-
date than a delegated convention with
the delegates selected at twenty-five
mass meetings, one held at each pre-
cinct in the county, where every Repub-
lican voter can attend without incon-
venience or expense, and express his
sentiments, and can stand up and be
counted? Can DR.. Greever, or any
man, suggest any fairer method for as
certaining, by convention or mass meet
ing, the sentiments of the Republican
voters as to his candidacy? His charge
about family domination" is so CD
scure that L hardly know how to treat
it.
What family is it that dominates the
county? II. Peery Britain represents
the Peerys, one of the largest and most
influential families in the county; S S.
f. Harman and James w. Harman rep
resent the Harman family, perhaps the
most numerous in the county; j. Powell
Royal represents the Bowen family.
another very influential family, and
Samuel P. Mustard still another family.
Or, does he mean my family? The
Barns have always been loyal support
ers of all Republican candidates, and
have never asked for anything at the
hands of the party except through me.
Is 1t possible that all these strong fami-
lies are dominated by one? The propo-
sition is too silly for serious considera-
tion. The families above named are
the only ones represented by the va
rious candidates for county office, ex-
cept the treasurer.
DIR. Greever claims that there was not
enough time given for the convention.
but he admits that he has been canvass
ing the county for the past five months.
This being so he certainly ought to have
his friends ready to stand by him in any
contest before a convention. All Re-
publicans who would vote for him in
the election would certainly support
him IN the precinct meetings. And in
any event the twenty-three DAYS gives
each of US the same to get up our dele
gates. 1t does not give me any advan-
tage. further state that the county
committee was acting in the interest of
party harmony, and not for DR.. Greever
or myself.
Since the county committee has deem
ed it best to call the convention / earn
estly appeal to the Republican voters of
the county to turn out and take part in
the various precinct meetings of the 18th
inst. When the convention meets and
selects a candidate, if it shall be DR..
Greever or any other than myself, /
will cheerfully accept the result and
give my earnest support to the chosen
candidate.
Respectfully.
JOHN T. BARNS.
August Is, 1911. adv.