French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1916-1919, 1916-12-28
CONGRESSMAN
WEAVER TALKS
If Mr.. Britt Takes it up the Repub-
pUblicans Will Regret it
" He Says. T..
REPUBLICANS ARE SORE.

Guy GOrham i'm Greensboro News.} =
Asneville, Dec. 23.-Congressman-
elect zebulon Weaver gave out state
ment to the press in which he says
that he and his Democratic friends do
do not fear a contest by Mr.. Britt Oh
the floor of the house. Mr.. Weaver
says that If the congressional fight Is
taken to the house he proposes I'd
bring out some interesting facts. His
statement follows: ....-...
To say nothing of illegalities, irreg-,
ularfties in the eelction, l expect to
show Congress coEclusively, in case
of q contest, that received majority
Of the votes cast and deposited in the
ballot boxes Of the district. Evidence
IN my hands, certified and sworn to,
shows this to be a fact. I have not
relied On rumors Or hearsay state
ments.
I'm regard to unmarked ballots re-
ferred to by my opponent in the cleo
tion, I expect to show that there were
many unmarked ballot for him in what
Mr.. Britt claimed were the returns;
that in many precincts unmarked bal
i
the election had been determined by
the unmarked ballots alone l would
nave received majority of the votes
cast.
Going further there is evidence of
illegal voting and other Irregularities
and this testimony comes from all sec
tions of the district. If contest is
inaugurated by Mr.. Britt ! expect to
expose all illegal and unfair methods
resorted to in the district and in so
doing shall feel that am performing
a service to which the people of the
tenth district are entitled.
L hope while in Congress to accom-
.plish some substantial good for the
people of the tenth district and I shall
enter upon my duties with the pur-
pose of working not only for the tenth
district but for the state and the ma
ton. I feel that the Democratic party
in the four years of it's incumbency has
accomplished more for the people than
any party has ever accomplished and
I will do all in my power to assist in
theenactment of progressive and bene-
f1cial legislation"
The awarding of the certificate of
election to zebulon Weaver, Democrat
by the state canvassing board, follow
ing the congressional controversy be-
tween Mr.. Weaver and Congressman
Britt, which has been on since the day
of election, added another chapter in
an already famous case and did not
meet theapprOval Of the great host of
Republicans here in the 10th, as was
natural. The Republicans were keer-
w ico ;r7fn
that the state Supreme court would
uphold Mr.. Britt in his appeal and that
the certificate would not be awarded to
Mr.. Weaver.
It is generally believed here that Mr..
Britt will take his fight to the floor of
the house. which he as intimated here
on several occasions that he would do,
In case the courts of the state decided
against him. No decision regarding
this is expected, however, until Mr..
Britt's arrival here this week from
Washington. the Congress adjourning
Friday for the holidays.
The Democrats are greatly e1ated
over what they say ts an end to the
congressional controversy, for many
Of the leading Democrats here. when
seen by a representative of the Daily
News bureau today, frankly stated that
they did not believe that Congressman
Britt would dare take the fight to the
floor of the house. One Democrat said
that IL Britt did go to the floor of the
house with his fight and lost there that
he would be killed politically here in
the 10th, as he would be defeated both
at home and in the Congress. whereas
if he did not 60 to the Congress with a
contest, he could still appeal TO the
Republicans Of the 10th for vindica-
ton and would stand a chance of
again becoming the congressman from
this district.
Republicans, however. hooted at this
idea and insist that Mr.. Britt will be
the strongest man the party ever had
in the district, regardless of the out
come of the contest in Congress-. He
can again be the standard bearer of
the Republican party in the 10th, win
or lose this time, Is the general opin-
ion Of several leading Republicans
talked to regarding this point
While the decision reached by the
Supreme court and the state canvass
ing board pleased local Democrats. at
least most of them, and surprised and
displeased local Republicans, it came
as a great relief to many men who do
not take any great interests in politics
Of any nature. other than voting once
in awhile. They have been swampe,f
with politics for some time now. in
fact ever since last spring, when the
Democrats first startAd the campaigns
for the primary and many of these
men are. glad that they will now have
chance to talk and think of other