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

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 were presented, two Democratic
members presented their certificates Of
election from the same Congressional
Districts, singed by Governor Warmoth.
These latter certificates bore date about
Eve days prior TO the dates Of the Pinch
back certificates; but the Radicals in
Congress, possessing a large numerical
majority, admitted the Pinchback mem
members without so much as going
through the form of appointing a COM
mittee TO report upon the respective
rights Of the several claimants to seats
in that body. Such high-handed aud
unblushing efrontry, 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. 1t 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 fill the measure of this
political iniquity. Pinchback was elect
cd 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
rightfally Lieutenant Governor. II
Warmoth had no power to issue certif-
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 claiua1n, we're no better than
pieces Ct ~ r. err; second: That
warmsfhv Ne Governor third /:
That Pinch possessed all the powers
Of the Oesss.sy, and fifth: That the
Radical sIaimzlIh received majorities in
their respective DISTRICTS Of all the legal
votes cast At ~ slsetiou.
Now notice H. contrast between a
Radical Cengrsn snd Democratic Leg
lature. Goodlos (Republican) and
Woodbridge (Denocrat) at the last Au
gust election were candidates for the Sen
ate of Kentucky in the Fayette District
On the day Of the meeting of the Sher
10 of the respective counties to compare
reasrns and give certificate of election
Woodbridge, ascertaining that they
weald give the certificate to Goodloe
and. heiisviug that he was the duly
chosen Senator, obtained from the Fay
cite Circuit Court an order Of Injunction
forbiddipg the said sherids from issuing
the certificate IN til the matter could b
heard in term tiins. Thus the cas-
stood without determination until the ss
senbly Of the Legislature. Both parties
then memorialized the Senate, eacl
claiming to be the Senator elect from thu
same district. A COMMITTEE was forth
with appointed to hear each elaiman
witt such testimony as was available a
the dne- In discharge Of their Quite
, the committee met, and each party r
ceiyed hs.ring. Without a dissenting
voice, the committee reported tha
Goodloe presented q prima faeie' case