The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-04-09
PREPARING TO STEAL THE PRES.
tDENCY.
IRON the indianapolis Journsl.l

The course OF the Democrats IN Con-
gress leaves no doubt Of the existence
Of q conspiracy on their part, first, to
retain q numerical majority in both
branches of Congress, and, second, to
gam control of a majority of States in
the House. The objective point at
which they are aiming is the absolute
control Of the Presidential question, so
that in any event they will be able to
count in the Democratic candidate.
The evidence Of this plot appears in
the deliberate manner in which they
are proceeding to uuseat Republicans
and put Democrats in their places in
both branches of Congress, the raid
against Senator Kellogg, and against
Representative Orth, of this State, and
Washburn, of Minnesota. and the re-
port in favor Of Hull. of Florida, being
cases in point. Senator Kellogg was
admitted to his seat Dec. I, 1877, con-
siderably more than two years ago. His
case has been passed rpon by the Sen
ate, and his right to his seat formally
declared and recognized. Yet it is
proposed now to reopen his case, I'M
seat him, and put Democrat in his
place. His term OF service would
expire March 8, 1888, and his
successor will undoubtedly be
Democrat, but the Democrats cannot
wait 80 long. They want him out. and
a Democrat in his place, before the
next Presidential election, and they
therefore propose to unseat him with
ont regard to law or equity. In the
case Of Mr.. Ortiz, OF this State, the con.
testant, McCabe, has taken no proceed
ings for more than Q year, and, under
the law, his claim, if he ever had any,
has long since expired. He has fur.
nished no evidence that the case ought
to be reopened, nor has he shown by
his actions that he thought 30 himself;
yet the committee has indicated its
purpose to reopen the case and invest
the contestant with ali the rights and
privileges which he would have en-
joyed had he prosecuted his contest
more than Q year ago, as the law re-
quired. The unseating Of Mr.. Ortiz
will give the Democrats control of In
diana in the House. As the delegation
stands, it consists of six Republicans,
six Democrats, and one Greenbacker.
Putting Democrat in Orth's place will
make it stand five Republicans to seven
Democrats, thus giving them control
of the delegation, and enabling them
to cast the vote of Indiana for Demo
crat in the event of the Presidential
election being thrown into the House.
In view of the peculiar position occu-
pied by Mr.. Orth, aud Of the conse-
quences depending upon his removal,
we have no doubt whatever that the
Democrats have determined to unseat
him, although the contestant, McCabe.
has not shadow of claim to the seat.
The case OF Washburn, of Minnesota,
is similar to that of Orth, in respect OF
the political consequences involved.
The Minnesota delegation stands two
Republicans and one Democrat. II
Washburn Is unseated and Democrat
put in his place, it will stand two DEM
Gratis and one Republican, thus, as in
in the case Of Indiana, giving two
Democrats contlol Of the delegation
and enabling them to cast the vote of
the State for Democrat If the election
goes before the House, Washburn
was elected by more than 5000
majority, and Donnelly's claim to
the seat is false and fraudulent,
on its face. But this makes no differ
ence. The Democratic plot requires
the unseating of Washburn and the
seating Of Donnelly, and it will be done
without regard TO the facts or the law
of the case. The case of Bisbee VS..
Hull, of Florida, involves the same
principle in o different form. Hull,
Democrat, is the sitting member. and
Bisbee, Republican, is contestant. With.
out going into the details of the case,
it is enough to say that the latter has
established his claim beyond any doubt
whatever; so clearly. in fact, that hon
est Democrats, of whom there is cor
poral's guard in the House, admit that
he is entitled to the seat. Yet, in spite
of this, the Democrats have determined
to retain Hull. The ridadelegation
in'the House consists of two Democrats.
To put Republican in the place of one
of these would make the delegation q
tie, and consequently the Democrats
could not control it in the event Of the
Presidential election going to the
House. These cases, all involving
the same principle and pointing in
one direction, prove the existence
Of Democratic plot to maintain politi-
cal control of Congress at all hazards,
in order that they may steal the Presi-
dency next year. Representative Hill,
Of Ohio, declared in a speech at WASH
ington q short time ago: "We (the
Democrats) intend to inaugurate our
next candidate for President whether
we elect him Or not" We believe this,
and we believe also they intend, if not
successful before the people or in the
Electoral College, to make some excuse
III the count Of the votes to reject one
or more States and throw the election
into the House, where they will elect
Democratic President. This il un-
doubleday the secret of their determi-
nation to gain majority Of States by
expelling Republicans and putting
Democrats in their places. Il is q
scheme worthy Of Q party which for
twenty years past has been actuated by
the one unvarying principle Of rule or
ruin.
THE Trenton IN. j. Gazette gives
this very interesting piece Of informa-
ton: GA rare old curiosity may be seen
ut the Phoenix Iron works. 1t is an an
tiaue pot, of English make, rusty,
cracked, and otherwise dilapidated. Gen.
Washington ate a meal boiled in it i'm