Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-04-18
Stand Up, Mr.. SIemp.
Roanoke Times.

Some days ago the Roanoke Times
printed an article expressing grstifica.
ton that Mr.. Bsscom Slemp had agreed
to meet his democratic opponent fol
congress in the Ninth Virginia district
half way on an agreement for an cleo.
ton without bribery or other unfair use
of money. We were sincerely pleased
and hoped for gentleman's agreement
such as was made in Wise and loyally
observed by both sides.
Now we learn that Mr.. Slemp quail
fies his agreement with a miserable
bubble He is reported as saying that
he will make the suggested agreement
with General Ayers if the democrats
will allow the republican managers to
name the republican judges of election
In short, MIR. Slemp will agree to be
honest if the republicans are granted 6
certain privilege they desire. Other
wise, we infer. he will hold himself free
to buy votes and debauch the ignorant
or degraded voters of the district.
If our inference is wrong, we chal-
lenge Mr.. Slemp to say so. He was
quick enough, several months ago, to
answer when we commented on his alb
sence from dinner given by President
Taft to republican leaders.
Now let him stand up before the peo-
pie of the Ninth district and answer to a
plain question like a man. He knows as
well as we do that this talk about re-
publican selection of republican Judges
is all poppycock and child's talk. 1t is
about the size of a snarling small rep
tile like the Tazewell Republican, but it
is unworthy of man representing the
great white Ninth district; and Mr..
Slemp knows it is.
Now let him stand right up before
these people and answer like man.
Will he obligate himself solemnly on
MS honor as man, a gentleman and a
representative of the district not to
spend dollar in this coming election or
seggest or sanction the spending of a
dollar he will not be willing to account
for under his oath and on bis honor and
under the laws of the state f Virginia
and these United States, provided Ru-
fus A. Ayers, the democratic nominee.
will take the same obligation?
That IS a plain, specific question. If
Mr.. Slemp is honest in desire for honest
elections in the Ninth district, let him
answer. If he is honestly intent on
having the disgrace and degradation of
bribery and corruption taken from the
district, let him answer, right out be-
fore these $50, 900 white people.
We say for the democrats of the dis
trict that they are willing to meet the
republicans on fair ground and agree to
have an election honestly clean. We
are willing to take our chances without
the spending of a dollar, except for hall
rent, travelling expenses, to be account
ed for item by item, with vouchers-to
cut out the payment of poll taxes and
even brass bands.
We are willing to trust the white peo-
pie of this white district unbought and
sober.
Are you, Mr.. Slemp?
Stand up and answer.
And take this assurance:
The democrats of the Ninth can get
money if they want. If they get it
will not use it to buy votes. They will
use it to chase to punishment those who
give brides and those who take them:
to offer heavy rewards for detection of
bribery. The Roanode Times will start
out with an offer of 500 for every case
of bribery detected up to FIVE; and it
will be ready to help with more to track
up bribery to its source.
The talk of appointments of judges is
childish. Mr.. Slemp will not dare point
out single republican weakling or
traitor appointed by the democrats in
the last two elections. He can not point
to single instance of unfairness or
fraud
We have dealt squarely. Let him say
whether he will, and let the people of
all parties who want a clean district and
Virginians rescued from disgrace, judge /
him by his answer.
Our columns are open for Mr.. Slemp's
open. Let US see whether
" not it is direct and straightforward
md the answer of a man who wants to
:leanse the district and have a fair,
lonest election.