Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-10-10
Why He Is Supporting SIemp.
Olinger, Va. Oct

Olinger, Va, Oct. l, 1912.
Editor Tazewell Republican,
AS there has been some wrangling
IN the Ninth congressional district ia
regard to the progressive moment, and
l am receiving all kinds of literature,
thought that would just explain ny
pos ton through the papers so all could
see just where l stand
In the first place, l will state that I
am progressive of the deepest hue.
and l hope you will allow me q little
space to tell the reasons why take the
position that l do in the matter. be-
lieve in the policies that have always
been advocated by the republican party
IN regard TO a protective tariff, and [
feel that there will be some very impor-
tant tariff legislation come up before
the next Congress- OF the United States.
l think that some schedules ought to be
lowered, and general revision on va
rious schedules. But l am no free
raider. ard feel that the tariff should
&c revised along protective lines, and
by the friends of protection instead Of
free trade.
When first came to Virginia in 1876,
there was no such thing as the republi-
can party recognized in the state How
ever, there were some republicans to be
found, but they had nothing to say in a
political way. We have built up a
strong republican organization in the
Ninth, ard have done it by thirty years
hard work, and have been in the fight
from the beginning. So, l, for one, do
not feel like just handing over what
have fought so long for to an enemy
that has worked il every conceivable
way to hold me down and hold the dis
trict for the democratic party. So this
republican party has been built up by
progressives and stand patters, all
standing together, and fighting for one
general and grand cause. l do not think
that this is the time to endorse a pro-
gressive candidate like Mr. Graham.
think to do so would be detrimental to
the progressive party in Virginia. So,
have made up my mind to stand to my
old gun that l have used for thirty years
till the last day in the evening of the
campaign in defense of our present
representative, Hon. c B. Slemp, and
feel very confident that when saw
this voice the sentiment of 80 out of
every hundred republicans in Lee coun-
ty. have been over nearly the whole
of Lee within the last few days and
know whereof / speak. have also
been over a good portion of Wise and
Dickinson counties and find the senti-
ment about the same as in Lee.
We all know the position of MIR. Ayers
on the tariff question, if he stands on
the national democratic platform, which
is almost the identical language and
construction of their platform in 1892,
when Grover Cleveland was elected
president. We all remember those
troublesome times, and mark what |
say: Those who kick out of the harnCs
and turn against what they have fought
for 10 these many years, will go down to
rise no more till Gabriel's trumpet is
sounded to wake the sleeping nations of
the earth.
So, l hope my good friend. Mr.. Gra-
ham, will reconsider and not run. If
not, there is only one thing for US to do,
and that is to just sing to him that good
Old song, Good by, my lover, good
BY"
In this statement / am not influenced
by any promises whatever. l hold no
office and never expect to do so.
Now, l will ring off by asking few
questions which MIR. Graham or any one
else who see cause to do so may answer
Who brought the Ninth congressional
district into active recognition by the
National Administration if it was not
the Slemps? What member of Con-
gress from the Ninth has fought harder
for his people and brought more money
to his district than the Hon. c. Bascom
Slemp?
Respectfully yours,
w. S. COLDIRON.