The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1914-07-15
MR.. IRVINE TALKS

i reporter asked Hon. r..
Tate Irvine here today his
views on the nominations made
by the republican and progress
sive conventions at Bristol ON
the 9TH. He said:
"rhc nomination Of Mr.. Slemp aud his
acceptance was expected by every one
Had the two conventions combined ou a
strong progressive, like senator Noel or
DIR nouehcrty, we democrats would
have had harder hgh, than now Mi.
Slcmp was right in trying to prevent his
own nomination 1t would have been
better for him to have been allowed to re-
tire voluntarily than to Lee forced iuto re-
fremont at the polls His reelection in
this District is Impossible Ills record is
purely that of rcactionay and stand
pattor This District is strongly pro-
grcssiyc Roosevclts vote was much
larger than RATS in 1912 Mr Slcmp
realized that with his rccopl rs a TAFT
Cannon pcnrose republican. he could mo-,
hope to get the progressive vote OF tho
District and that even with this vote his
election would bc extremely doubtful
The fact that some of the progressive
leaders deserted aud Joined the republic
cans will Gu, hut little figure with the
electorate. Mr. Rose, As the nominee of
the progressive convention, will get a
respectable vote, but believe it that
party had made no nomination would
have gotten more progressive votes than
Mr Slcmp will get many as 1t is. The
demccraiic party, under President
Wilson's superb leadership. Is giving the
country ana administration that should
satisfy every man of true progressive
principles
mir Slemps platform is "a thing OF
shrcls aud patches, the weakest aud most
bare faced effort have ever known To
ride at the same time two horses going In
opposite directions Nj Slcmp viii, AN
his acrobaiic agility cannot do this 1t
endorses the economic policies of lincoln
and Mckinley but is as silent AS the
grave on the iniluities of the PAYNE.
Aidrioh Law which was enthusiastically
supported la Congress by Mr.. Slcmp and
which drove his party into direpuiabl,
retirement There is not word in IN,
platform against the democratic Incom,
Tax Law, nor the Banking and Currenc,
Act, nor the Antitrust Laws now in
process of enactment silence on thns,
great issues must give consent 1t con.
demns the presidents Mexican policy but
Is loo cowardly to declare FOR Intervention
OF war with Mexico. the only alternative
which would mean the sacrifice of mum.
berless American lives and the loss o
countless treasure 1t comments Mr.
Roosevelt, upon his return home from
South America FOR hi, prompt and
courageous condemnation OF MIR
Wilson's policies. but is As dumb As an
oyster upon his equally "promp, and
courageous condemnation OF the l,olicie.
of the republican psrty as conducted b,
Penrose. Barnes, Siemp y Co 1t con.
demns democratic state laws and III,
administration Of state Affairs, notwith.
standing this election has nothing TO dc
with those subjects, aud further notwi,h.
standing iha; last year when these sub.
jeets were liz issue before tho people ot
Virginia, the republican party under Mr.
Slemps leadership had not the courag,
TO nominate a candidate for governor 81
any other state office, and on these sam.
issues which were Tough, out before the
electorate of the Ninth District they lost
every contested legislative aud senatorial
sest The platform is silent on the sub.
jeet of fair elections. This Is significant