The Portland daily press., 1877-10-19
The Contested Seats,

The Democrats in the House evidently feel
uneasy about their small majority and are
bent on increasing it byquestlonable means.
In pursuance of this purpose they have ad-
mitted to seats two men from Louisiana.
Elan and Robertson, who were clearly
not elected. Although the contestants
had regular credentials they were refused
hearing. An attempt was made to exclude
Cain and Rainy, tue colored representatives
from South Carolina, but it was so evi-
IDENTIFY an outrage that a part of the Democ-
racy refused to support it, and so the attempt
failed. Had these Republican representatives
been white men they would undoubtedly have
been excluded from the seats which rightfully
belonged to them. But the southern leaders
thought it shrewd move to admit these men
and then proclaim that the South had risen
superior to the prejudice of race. There was
no hesitation in excluding Purman of Florida,
who was declared elected by the board of
canvassers, the legality of which has never
been successfully disputed, and who holds a
certificate of election from Gov. Stearns. His
Democratic competitor, Davidson, was ad-
mitted without question. The attempt was
even made to reject Pacheco, the Californian,
though the legality of his election has been
affirmed by the supreme court Of his state
He was however permitted to take his seat.
some of the Democrats refusing to consent to
to so evident fraud as his exclusion. Though
there was no scruple as TO rejecting Nash
and Smith of Louisiana and Pur-
man of Florida though they held the
Governors certificate ofelection, the Demo-
cratic majority absolutely refused to take any
notice OF the cases, some half dozen, where
Republicans contest the seats of Democrats
their states. There is reason to fear too,
that the fairness shown toward the South
Carolina representatives is more apparent
than real and that they will bs deprived Of
their seats by the committee on contested
elections.
But a case of even greater injustice than
those cited is afforded in the refusal to place
the name of Mr.. Belford, Republican of
course, of Colorado, npon the roll OF the
House. Mr.. Belford was duly and legally
elected and holds the sole certificate issued in
the case, and yet the Democratic majority
refuse to admit him. The State of Colorado
was excluded from representation last win
ter, for when Mr.. Belford appeared to fill out
the short term for which he was elected, the
Democratic committee to whom his case was
referred neglected to report till the end OF the
session. Then, forced by the justness of his
credentials, they unanimously reported in
favor of seating him. He now appears for
the long term, and they seem minded to re-
peat the outrage and debar Colorado oi
her rightful voice in the House. The pre-
text for their course is of the fimsiest. Col
orado held her State and. Congressional elec-
tlons in October, 1876, when Mr.. Belford was
chosen to fill out the unexpired term of the
last Congress and to the full term of the
present. He had majority Of S94 over Pat
terson, his Democratic opponent,-a majority
that has never been called in question. After
the election Patterson made the claim that
the election was illegal, and that Congress.
man must be chosen at the Presidential elec.
tion in November, though he had by his can
didacy and canvass acknowledged the legality
of the previous date. To this absurd claim
the Republicans paid no attention. Patter-
son announced himself as a candidate and
polled 1000 votes in November, though 26, ,00C
were cast the month before. On the strength
of this pretended ballot, and without any
certificate, he asks for admission, and every
Democrat in the House, in spite of the fact
that Democratic committee last session
unanimously decided la favor of the Repub.
lcan claimant, votes against the ceating o.
Mr.. Belford. If this proceeding is a fail
Illustration of the purposes of the new
House, the sooner we are delivered from il
the better.