The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-01-27
The Platte-Goode Case.

| The Republican OF the 25th says, that ''wllea
Mr.. Harris, of Virginia, was appointed chair
man of the Committee OH Elections, it was
openly announced that the purpose of the APP
pointlnent was to secure Goode, of the same
State, in the seat he occupies by the most I'M
,nblushing fraud and usurpation, and to pre-
vent the consideration OF the ease of Mr..
Platte, until the close Of the Forty-Fonrth
Congress. Mr.. Harris, regret to say, Is
giving color to such assertions. by endcavoring
to force i'll committee, the adoption of u rule
in considering the contested election eases by
which the case Of Plalte-Goode will be the
last consderad.''
| We have made inquiry in regard to this mat
ter, for the purpose OF doing u political oppo-
nent justice, as well us to guide lis in anything
we might deem it proper to state in regard 10
! thesfrandulent claim Of Mr.. Goode, to a scat in
| Congress, and have been informed, that the
rule adopted by the present committee on
elections, is the same that was adopted by the
last Congress-that the committee found the
printed rule and docket of its predecessor, and
the cases there docketed alphabetically by
ant was urging the early hearing Of his case,
and giving reasons why his should be heard
first In order to dispose OF the whole matter,
and relieve the committee Of incessant inlpor-
tuties, the rule was affirmed aud eases set for
hearing in the alphabetical order of their States.
In this order all the cases are do keled and
heard. But if Intervening cases are not ready
co..
docket proceeded with, the omitted cases com
ing il at the foot. Virginia is low down in tile
alphabet, and consequently the injustice per-
petrated upon the voters of the Norfolk Dis
trict, in seating Mr.. Gootle upon certificate
hedged around with fraud. will have to be
borne, under the rule, until the case can be
heard in its regaalaa order.
With this understanding of the adoption of
the rule, and the reasons assigned for its atlop-
ton, we do mot think Mr.. Harris is anelable
to the charge OF Intentional unfairess, altho'
it works Il wrong to MI. Platte, who llnf .rtu-
nately for his case, comes from State low
down in the alphabetical order. 1t should not
be assumed, that because Mr.. Goode is Con-
sentative aud Mr.. Platte Republican, that Mr..
llaffiS constituents tGSlEe 10 sec WI. OOOlc re-
tain his seat. The general verdict of both par
ties, so far as we have heard all opinion ex-
pressed, is that Goole ought to have been COM
PEELED by his own sense of right and self re-
spect to have declined the certificate, or Insist
ed or the seat being awarded to Platte, AS
the .'Rcpublican'' says: If Mr.. Goode pos
sesses the high sense of honor the Norfolk pa
pcrs ascribe 10 him, we do not understand how
he can consent TO continue to hold seat and
draw lay to which he is not entitled, and he
shonld be as anxious as Mr.. Platte, to have his
case decided
Mr.. Harris will do great injustice to his rep
rescntative character and perpetrate a great
outrage upon the Republican party of Virginia,
and upon Justice, should he enter iuto any ar
rangement, or throw any Oh ,tacle in the way
OF fair and proper hearing OF the case in
question:. We do not believe lsc will, and shall
confidently await the determination OF the
ease to Justify this express ion.
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