The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-12-18
THE DELEGATE CASE,

ftwss remarked at the time when
ne Governor of Utah undertook to
Deprive the people OF this Territoryof
she right to vote, and did ali lie could
10 steal for his rich but ignorant
friend Campbell, the seat in Congress
20 which Utah is entitled, sll the re-
spectable journals in the land de-
aounoed his action most, heartily.
Republican and democratic organs
united in declaring him a knave or
Sool, ana there Wassan almost univer-
BAL demand for his removal! from an
office which ne had disgraced. There
was but one journal of prominence
which stood by him, and that did not
claim that MS action was lawful, but
beld that the end justified the means.
That journal vas published in the
governors city, and wha: satisfied
the public in the way of a reason for
tbs, editor irregular c0urse was soon
discovered. II the respecta bic news
papers s year ago were almost unan-
imcus IN their demands thai justice
be done in Ghis'de!egase business, and
shat Mr.. Cannon be given his ssat,
they are also unanimous now in de-
G!aring that whatever may be done
IN the way Of Furnishing polygamists,
Cannon is clearly entitled to the del
egate's seat, and the House should 90
promptly decide. The HERALD has al
ready reproduced editorial articles on
lhia subject from several of the lead
ing journals, and below prints one
Brom the PhiIadelphia Times. a news
paper which hates Mormong and
Mormonism ss heartily as any in the
country. We might here remark
that the indications are largely in
favor of the early admission of Mr..
Cannon to his seat:
Ifthe republicans of the House don't
pause in their present drift in the Can
nen-C Campbell election case. from Utah,
they will make the disrcputable record of
the democrats in the Patterson Belford
Colorado case comparatively respectable.
The action of the democratic House
admitting Patterson from Colorado when
the people had voted for Bedford By 8
large majority, and without the imputa-
tion Of fraud either on the vote or the
return, was justly denounced by the re-
publicRns SIS q monument Of democratic
many. II was admitted that Patterson
wasn't elected, but the democrats seized
on 8 fimsy tecnicality to give the seat to
the democratic claimant.
In the Cannon Campbell case it ii
undisputed that Cannon received quad
ripple the legal votes cast for Campbell
but legal technicslity was seized upon
by The U!ah governor to return the de-
fested candidate. It is possible that Mr.,
Cannon is not eligible. but that is gues.
ton to be tried by competent authority
and rot to be assumed by ministerial
officer.
But whether Cannon ia or is not eli.
gible, there cal be no doubt of the fact
that Campbell wasn't elected, and thai
he has no legal or equitable claim what
ever to the place. Anywhere outside o!
Congress, the issue would be considered
with some degree Of fairness, especially
as delegate has no vote, and little "a
de with legislation; but in Congress, the
the petty party leaders Of to-day hristle
up for partisan battle over every ques-
ton that arises, and when one side starts
out right, the other side must start out
wrong.
The one safe rule to follow in election
cases, is to resolve all doubts in favor Of
the man elected by the people. That
would seat Mr.. Cannon, and then any
inquiry into bis eligibility could be made
decently and in order; but under no cir.
eumutsnces should man be admitted
who was rejected at home by three
foupths Of the legal voters.