The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-02-07
The Democrat, and the Contested Seat.

In deciding the claims of contest
aats TO seats in Congress the Democrat,
of the House proceed on the assump-
ton that nothing but Democrats are ell
titled to seat. The merits Of the cases
are never considered, the legal points
involved are never discussed, the de-
ciSion Of the courts as to disputed
points of law are ignored, and the will
of the people as expressed on election
day is counted as nothing.
In the Colorado ease, Belford, Repub-
lican, received S5l more votes that
Patterson, Democrat. The seat was
! given TO Patterson.
In the Missouri case, Metcalfe, Re-
publican, received 5000 votes, and
Frost, Democrat, S,00S votes. The GER
t~iflcate was withheld from Metcalfe for
a time, but Vas finally issued under a
peremptorily order Of the Supreme
Court. Yet we are told that the Dem
Gratis of that committee have decided to
report that Frost is entitled to the seat.
In the California case, Pacheco, Re-
publican, received 19,1O4 votes, and
Wigginton, Democrat, 1903 votes.
After full investigation, the Certificate
was issued to Pacheco. The case, car
ried to the courts, was decided in Pacli-
eco's favor. But now it is decided that
the House Committee will decline to
accept the verdict of the ballOt-bOX and
in the courts as having any bearing on
the case-will repudiate the decisions
of the courts and give the seat to Wig
ginton, simply because he is Demo-
crat.
In South Carolina, in 1876, three Re
publican Congressman were elected
Joseph II. Raincy, Richard II. Cain,
end Robert Smalls. In the Fifth Dis
trict, Small had a majority of l,4SS.
This could not be ignored, and a yigor-
Gus effort has been made to bulldoze
Mr. Smalls out of Office. In the First
District, Rainey had a majority Of
l,5l9. No charges could be trumped
up against Raincy, but it was desirable
to give his seat to 4 democrat, and the
House Committee, having great conf
dence in the President'sssSouthern poll
cy as an Efficient aid to Wade Hampton
in destroying the Republican. partysin
South Caaolina, have hit on the brill
liant e%xpedient Of ordering a new cleo
ton in Rainey's district.
Cain, in the Second South Carolina
District, had a majority Of 5,l3i. Dem
o~cratic. genius has mot yet evolved a
scheme Forgetting rid oftheir stubborn
facts, but as the supporters of Cain
were Republicans, .andshaye no rights
which a Democratic Congress care to
respect, a way will be found, doubtless,
to unseat Cain.
In the one case decided, and in the
three cases still. before the Committee,
the Republicans are entitled to the
seats. The decisions against them have
been on a par with arbitrary rulings.
The Democratic majority, eagcr.to per-
petuate its power, is willing to do any
thing for the sake Of the party.
1t is useless to multiply the words in
argument where the facts are undispu-
ted and conclusive. These plain facts
make up a record to illustrate the want
of principle of the Democratic party,
and its reckless use or abuse Of power.
These Democra wrong in the
name of party and for the sake ofparty
will soon. be appealing to the people
for support. As in previous years,
the people will!remember the record
they have made, and vote accordingly.