Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1914-06-26
Mr.. Roberts Replies TO Slemp.
Hon. G. b. Slemp, NJ. c.,
Washington, ID. c.,

Dear Sir:
Your enclosure relating to "the
coming Congressional Conventions
at Bristol (Va.) on July 9th.," for
warded to me from my former ad-
dress, Appalachia. Virginia, presum-
ably was thought by you to be i'm
portant; for you, almost frantically.
assure me that "there isn't a doubt
in the world but that the Democrats
are trying to bring out two candi-
dates in the 9th district among the
Republicans and Progressives." Now
that sounds portentious enough, but
to save me do not see where Pm CON
cerned. Yet you say, "any blind man
can see this" I'll bite; What in Sam
Hill does it mean? What's the catch?
Further on, you tell me that "the
9th district has the unique position in
the politics of the south that, for
years and years, has maintained any
independence of action" etc That, too
sounds impressive. Finally, you say
personal ambitions should be sur
rendered and all those who do not ac-
tually favor the success of the demo-
cratic candidate should unite on one
candidate" There nowl That's fine,
rotund sentence. | congratulate you.
What beautiful line of buncombe
you politicians havel What coinage
of sentiment; what lofty ideals you
set up--for others to heed; what
preachments of duty-for others;
what meaningless declarations you ut
ter, and with what confident reliance
upon the stupid, uniformed and sell
fish voters do you manage to cabbage
public office and use it for your own
personal advantagcl
Independence of actionl" Were
the voters of the 9th Virginia Con-
gressional district acting independ-
emily when you spent $4,000 n few
years ago buying their votes for your
self? (By the way, where did you
GEL that $75,O00-and the money
which paid for the Interests" YOU
have frequently said required your re-
tlrement from public life?) "Inde-
pendence of action" What sort of in
dependence is that when voters in the
mining camps of your district are
requested" by the bosses, upon in
structions from the owners in Phila-
delphia, New York, and elsewhere.
to vote for Slemp?" Independence
of action!" The phrase sounds noble:
but what sort of nobility is that which
builds up in some counteis of your
districe shameful, wholesale buy
ing and selling of votes-that dist
riot which "for years and wears" has
been under your control and your
predecessor of the same party? In
this it has, indeed, had "a unique DO
sitlon in the politics of the South
one of the most degraded in all the
country.
Formerly there actually was some
independence of action" in your dis
trict-before YOU inaugurated the
vote-buying practice; before the ig-
norant miners came in and voted as
they were requested" and before
Congressman could, in one or two
terms, accumulate large "interests"-
and $4,000. Formerly candidates.
were urged upon real issues before
the country and fitness for the duties
OF the office, not upon corrupt bal
lot box and INSCRIPTIONS political
agents. But you have changed all
this.
No, have no personal interest
In Virginia politics. have pronoun-
ced personal distaste for politics any
where and especially for methods such
as yours have been. l think that the
average of intelligence in your 9th
district is lower than anywhere I
have been and the standards of honor
OF the same degree. Certainly in the
counties of Lee and Dickinson and
among the mines of Wise county,
where your majorities always come
from, where your $4,000 was chief
ly spent, the voters are among the
most villianous of earth. They are
pawns for ANY man-with $500
to use in buying their votes or with
whiplash in Philadelphia or New
York.
Yours, truly
w. ID. Roberts.
Princeton, w. Va, June 20, 1914