The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-13
Seth IL. Y0cuiI, II. c.

Among the many contests of disap-
pointed politicians for places occupied
| by more fortunate rivals, the one in
which Mr.. Curtin Uhe Great War
Governor), attempted to Oust Mr..
YocunI, is at once the most costly, least
excusable. and longest windcd OF any
the records of congressional contests
! can boast.
During the canvass Governor Cur
! tin, while outside this congressional
ponent in the contest for congressional
hOnors. To this question the Great
War Governor replied, that he did not
know but he had been informed that
II chap up there was running against
him and he was going up to see about
! it, although he thought there was
nothing OF il. The result Of the poll
ing was n surprise party to the over
sanguine q w. G.and smarting under
! the loss of 5000 Democratic majority,
at the same time thinking Of the
! shadow of his former greatness, he
! wisely resolved to contest Mr.. GOcum's 5
hard and !airly, yes glOrious!y earned
! laurels, depending on his millions to
break down an opponent whom he
| knew to be IA poor man and whom he
th0u4h unable to stand contest.
! T ie sly old G. w. G.reckOned alone, Tor
| Mr.. Y0cun's friends who did him
noble service in the canvass refused to
| fOrsake him in the contest. And to
o. B. Grant OF this village, is due
! great credit for the successful issue
which the case has at last reached, as
will be seen by the report Of tie action
in this case by Congress on Tuesday,
last May llth:
Mr.. Springer then called up the Curtin
| YOcum election case. y goOu deal of oppo-
! sitiOn was manifested on both sides OF the
house 10 any extended debate, and motion
| was made by Mr.. Weaver that all debate
close in one minute. Mr.. Cnierick, who
held the floor, declined to yield for that mo-
tinn, but at the close of his speech in favor
| Of the contestant, II similar motion was made
| by Mr.. Overton and IL was agreed to.
Ghe previous question was then ordered
and Mr. springer claimed the closing hour,
yielding his time. however, TO Mr.. Ryan
| pa and Mr.. Speer, who spoke in support OF
| the majority report.
| Then the house proceeded to vote upon the
resOlutiun--thc first one being taken ON an
amendment offered by Mr.. Springer to the
! minority resolution declaring that Mr.. NO-
cum is not entitled to the seat yeas-75, nays
ll5.
Fhc negative vote was cast by the Republi-
cans and Green hackers, together with the fol-
| lowing ID. mOcrats: McssTs. Aiken, berry.
| Buuck, Bright, Caldwell, Chalmers, FELTON,,
| Richardson Is. O., richmond, Singleton
| Qli.J, singleton (MIss.l stephens, stevens on,
| Slemous ami Wright.
| The question then recurred upon the mi
| norit" resolution declaring that IUCum is
| entitled to Il seat and that Curtain is not en-
| titled thereto. The minority resolution was
| adopted, yeas lib, nays 10, and lOcum was
warmly congratulated by his republican col
| leagues upon his retaining his seat nOtWitI-
standing the unljlvorable report Of the com
| mlttce ON election.
| Congressman Yocum has also
the congratulations of all regardless
of party in the twentieth district who
are fair minded and believe that the
majority should he needed. OF course
Mr.. Curtin is not happy. Why should
he be? The lesson he has learned al
such great cost we hope will be q
warning stone in the path Of history
to keep other deluded mortals from
doing as he has done. A las poor
Curtin, once honored by us all anG
now none so poor to do him reverence