The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-12-12

much Of public attention q few months
since, are doubtless yet fresh in the
memory Of the people. As a conse-
quence Of the usurpation that was sup
ported in that State by federal interfer-
ence, as well as in harmony with the in
decency Of the support, the country has
recently been called upon to witness the
admission into the Congress Of the Uni
ted States Of two selfstyled members
from Louisiana, who bore credentials in
the shape Of certificates Of election from
the negro Lieutenant Governor Pinch
back. At the same time these certif-
Gates we're presented, two Democratic
members presented their certificates Of
election from the same Congressional
Districts, singed by Governor Warmoth.
These latter certificates bore date about
FIVE days prior TO the dates Of the Pinch
hack certificates; but the Radicals in
Congress, possessing large numerical
majority, admitted the Pinchback MEM
members without so much as going
through the form of appointing n CON-
mittee TO report upon the respective
rights Of the several claimants to seats
in that body. Such high-handed aud
unblushing effrontry, such damnable
outrage as this, of course, excites in ev-
cry honorable mans breast the severest
indignation, but not surprise. 1t was
looked for and expected II is in keeping
with the entire history of Radical wrong
and tyranny. In justification of such
conduct, they are without precedent in
the usage of any civilized deliberative
body. Nor does the violation of par
liamentary rules and the setting at naught
Of all precedents fll the measure of this
political iniquity. Pinchback was elect
ell to the Office Of Lieutenant Governor
at the same time Warmoth was elected
Governor. The same returning board
declared each one chosen to those respec-
tive Offices. If Warmoth was not right
fully Governor, Pinchback was not
rightfully Lieutenant Governor. III
warmoth had no power to issue certi6.
Gates Of election, Pinchback was equally
destitute. And the antithesis is equally
palpablc. If Pinchback was in fact and
Of right Lieutenant Governor, clothed
with the powers and charged with the
duties Of such an officer, manifestly
Warmoth was in fact and of right Gov
ernor, possessed ola Governors authority
and charged with q Governors duties.
The certificates of the Democratic claim
ants, as we have said, bore date previ-
Gus to the date of the Radical claimants,
and were signed by the Governor. Such
certificates unquestionably invested the
holders with prima facie rights to their
seats. But Congress did not regard this.
il assumes, '-:thout inquiry or evidence,
first: That the certificates Of the Demo
cratic claipan r,yere no better than
pieces ct 2fr; second; That
Warmsthxl Ut Governor third
That PinAhl possessed all the powers
OF The 0over.sr. and fifth: That the
Radical sisimalIts rcceived majorities in
their respective diasiets Of all the legal
votes cast At ~ slsetiou.
Now notice - contrast between
Radical Csngrsn "a Democratic Leg
lature. Goodloe (Rspublican) and
Woodbridge Oenocrst) at the last Au-
gust election were candidates for the Sen
ate of Kentucky IN tie Fayeste District.
ON the day of the meeting of the sher-
10 of the respective sousties to compare
ressrns and give certificate Of election,
Woodbridge, ascertaiping that they
wcald give the certificate to Goodloe,
and. hsiieving that he vas the duly
chosen 6esator, obtained from the Fay
cite cireuit Court an order Of injunction
forbiddiug the said sheriff. from Issuing
the certificate sktil the matter could be
heard in term tiins. Thus the case
stood without dstera,ination vntil the as
selnbly Of the Lsgslatnre. Both parties
then memorialized the Senate. each
claiming to be the Senator elect from the
same district. A commiltes, was forth
with appointed to hear each claimant
witt snch testimony as was ailable at
the 6ne- In dischage Of their duties
the cem@ittee met. and each party, ~
ceived hearing. Without dissentint.
voice, the committee reported thst /
Goodloe presented a prima Jaeis' case,
and recommended that hi be admitted
to his seat, with the privilege to woold-
ridge of contesting his sbSolute right to
the same. following the due course of
law. e he 50 desired. The report of the
was adopted BY the Senate
and Goodlos was sworn in.
Is comment needed upon these two
casesr In the first, we note the insuiF4 I
lflas tyranny ola dominant party exsf
sized for the oppression Of minority |
in tbs second. the ample sense Of justice
that charaatarfzss the Democracy of
Kentucky which sill not suffer u
rights Of political opponent TO be Light