The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1922-07-26
Belief That He Would Accept
Nomination is Shattered
When Telegram is Receiv-
ed Sunday
HEALTH GIVEN AS
REASON FOR REFUSAL
Democrats Are Jubilant Over
Apparent Hopelessness of
Situation

/ Representative Slemp's Colorado
i Springs announcement of July -
that he positively would not accept
the Norton convention nomination
for reelection to congress this Fall
( has left Republican leaders of Wise
! county and The Ninth District in n
dsze. Today the famous G. o. +.
j stronghold in Virginia is in prcca-
rious condition. Mr.. Slemp's cheer
1 ful assurance that sit it silly to think
! that am the only Republican in the
I district that can be elected" fails TO
restore the old-time confidence
which the Grand Old Party has dis
played for many years.
Convention Criticized
Uncertainty is the dominant note.
Already the convention is being Sc
yerely criticized for falling to accept
Slemp's statement at its face value
and nominate Il Tazewell county man
to oppose Peery. The night before
the convention caucus was held in
Norton when ii was decided that a
farewell county man would be nom
mated. a secret ballot was taken.
The name of Slemp was purposely
eliminated and the strength OF the
proposed candidates tried. Crockett
Bowen was the faVoritc. Judge G. C.
Hyatt Of Richards, received only ~
votes out of 80 Wise county was
soliily for the Richards man, but
the overwhelming sentiment for
Bowen resulted in the Wise delepa-
ton going over to Bowen. When the
meeting adjourned it was confidently
expected that Bowen would be the
conventions choice.
A few minutes before Bowen's
name was TO be brought up Il telc-
gram from him announced that he
would not accept the nomination. US
der amy condition. At this time
Barnes Gillespie, of Tazewell, doomed
large as a possibility, many believing
that next to Slemp he was the strong
est man in the district. 1t is possible
that he would have been nominated
bad not the Bristol delegation, a part
Of The Norton Republicans and a c,.w
powerful coal operators launched
Slemp boom which resulted in STAN
pede Tor the incumbent congressman.
Failure OF few leaders to accert
Slemp's word us final has brought
about the resultant muddle which
exists today.
lAre~ell Man Necessary
That \ Tazewell county man will
hnally be selected to oppose Peery is
the opinion OF G. o. p. leaders in Wise
county today. Whether he will be
selected by q committee or by anot ,er
convention called for the purpose no
one will say. 1t is claimed by many
mat should a man be named by a
committee that the results would be
generally unsatisfactory and greater
nlsfontent will follow. Barnes Giles
pc Crockett Bowen, Judge G. c..
hyatt, X. 0. Crockett and Newt Har-
man are possible candidates. All hail
from Peery's county. Judge Hyatt
would be the strongest man in Wise
county, but it is pointed out that Gil.
heple would holly contest Tazenel
county which the Democrats are nov
staining for Peery. 1t is imDcssib!e
10 get definite statement from Re-
publican leaders in the county. They
express confidence that is not back
tu by tangible reasons. They say
mai the party will rally to the support
Oh their candidate when lie is nomi-
mated Beyond that all seems uncrr-
tain.
Democrats ave Jubilant
oh the other hand Democratic are
luo'iant over the prospects for land
s',ue 10 Peery. Backed by the most
,'H''rht organization they have
A"o"h IN ~ years, led by brilliant,
"s'ufal leader. and encouraged by
""Ai Is now known rs Democratic
'eas 1t looks as if Virginia viii send
Sohd Democratic representation to
congress this Fall.