, 1879-12-29
Contested Elections.

giving the Democrats majority In the
Legislature 10 which large majority OF
Republicans were returned, has created
nearly as much discussion and excite>
ment as did the counting in" OF MIR.
Hayes as President, when there was a
popular majority of quarter OF a mill
ION of votes cast for his opponent. This
Maine matter presents no new phase of
party politics. There are abundant pre-
cedents, even in Maine, for the acts of
the canvassers in this instance, though
never before on so large scale. An in
telligent gentleman, long a resident OF
Maine, who never acted with the Demo-
cratic party, tells US that to his knowl-
edge on frequent occasions Democrats
were ruled out upon precisely the same
technlcalitles that are now turned against
Republicans, and that this was done as
often as it was deemed necessary to main
tain Republican party ascendancy in the
State Legislature. Our informant says
he always protested against that prac
tice, and then predicted that it would
eventually return to plague the inven-
tors; and it has. Far be 1t from us to
attempt to justify the act by these prcce-
dents. We cannot too strongly condemn
any attempt to defeat the popular will,
Enthusiastically expressed, through the
Ignorance or design of the custodians of
the ballot-boxes. But let no party man
lay the fattering unction to his soul
that his party is guiltless of this wrong.
1t is one of the most common and most
disgraceful features of party politics in
this country. In nine cases out of ten Of
contested seats in Congress or State
Legislatures, the law and the testimony
is made to succomb to the higher law of
party necessity, which implies an utter
disregard for the sanclites OF an official
oath. At the Congressional session Of
1879-60, after over two months balloting
the Republicans got the organization Of
the House. Immediately thereafter sew
en- defeated Republicans appeared to
contest the seats held by seven Demo-
Gratis; and all the contestants were sue
cessful except Mr.. Dodge, who contested
the seat of Dan Sickes and backed ont
of the contest before it was brought to
en- issue. Among the contestants was
Dillon, (slnce Judge,) who contested the
seat of Estabrook, Democratic Delegate
fer Nebraska. On the Committee on
Elections was former class-mate and
old friend of Estabrook' then leading
Republican member. Not caring to men,
tien the name OF the gentleman, we will
call him NJ One evening, while the
contest was pending. the two friends met
casually at our room and the matter
came up. Esterbrook commenced say
ing: Nov NJ, you know, as a legal
proposition"- When NJ. impatiently
interrupted him by excaiming: Law
be hanged You know, Estabrook, that
law has nothing to do with this 9ues-
ton. 1t is simply question of power.
We mean to turn you out If we have
votes enough to do it. You wonld do
the same by me under like circumstances
If your party had the power; the Demo-
Gratis always did it, and we don't Intend
to give them another chance if we can
prevent it." We had been an active par>
ty politician for many years at that time,
but we confess that this was revela
ton shocking to our unsophisticated
understanding. We have since learned
that they all do it. More s the pity"
In the highest tribunal ever organized
in the land; called under the sanction of
the three coordinate branches of the
Supreme Government-Executive, Legis-
lative and Judicial; composed of a choice
selection of five of the most distinguished
statesmen and jurists from each branch
of the Legislative and FIVE from the Ju-
diclal department, to pass upon the most
important question which had ever been
submitted to the determination of any
organized body of men, involving dis
organization of the government aud the
peril OF civil war, we find the same party
rule dominating all other considerations
Every issue in that body was determined
by strict party votes Republicans to
Z Democrats the most remarkable
nhase of the matter was that the Renu II.