New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-11
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
SOUTHERN REPUBLICANS DEMANDING JUS
TlCE
AN APPEAL FOR PROMPT ACTION IN THE CONTESTED


ELECTION CASES.
ny TELEGRAPH To THE TRIDUSE-J
WASHINGTON. May 10.-There was a protracted
conference of Southern Republican Represent
to-day at which Mr.. Van Horn of Missouri presided.
Except Messrs. Hubbs, Of North Carolina and Petit
bone, of Tennessee, all the Southern Republican
Representatives present The subject OF the con-
ference was the Southern contested election cases.
and the result, SO far as to-dsys conference was
concerned was the appointment of committee
consisting of Messrs. Darrell of LOUISIANA, Houk,
Of Tennessee. and Lynch, of Mississippi TO confer
with the Business Committee Of the Republican
caucns and urge upon that committee the pro-
priety aud necessity of immediate action upon such
of the election cases have been reported by the
Elections Committee
As soon as the programme Of the Business CON-
mttee became known through its publication in
The TRIBUNE, the Southern men began TO complain
that il was not in harmony with the overwhelming
sentiment of the Republican majority as expressed
in the last caucus which had declared that the elec-
tion must be brought forward promptly and
disposed of. The announcement that the Geneva
Award BILL the National Bank bill and probably
the Internal Revenue bill would be given
precedence of the Mackey OConnor and the Bisbee-
Finley contests stirred up the Southern Republic
cans to immediate action and resulted in the con-
ference to-day. They are to hold another meeting
tomorrow and. unless they receive a satisfactory
report from the committee appointed to confer with
the Business Committee, they will Immediately cir
culate petition calling for another general eau
Gus of Republican members-an effort which will,
no doubt, be successful.
The Southern men present some cOgcnt reasons
why the contested election cases should be brought
forward Immediately and acted upon. In conver-
saton with TRIBUNE correspondent this after
noon one of them said: Here are four cases upon
which the Committee of Elections, after thorough
Investigation, has come to the conclusion that tho
sitting members gained their seats by fraud aud
that the contestants were honestly and fairly
elected and are entitled to their seats. majority
of the House is of the same opinion. We hold.
therefore, that the Republicans will be false to
every profession they have ever made IN favor or
free and fair elections unless they take
| prompt action in these cases If they are
postponed any longer 1t will be almost Impossible to
| secure action upon any Of them at this session.
Every day of delay now Is simply playing into the
| hands of the Democrats In very short time the
Appropriations Committee Will begin TO bring for
| ward and urge action upon the remaining appro-
| priation bills warm weather viii come members
will be anxious TO get away from Washington, and
the result will be that Congress will adjourn ieav-
ing the contested election cases Just where they
now are; This would be gross injustice.
More than that, it wonld be for
equal to crime Let this session end with these
contestants still knocking vainly al the doors OF
Congress- ana the kepuDllcanS neea not eApect u
carry as many Southern districts next fall as they
| did in 1880. What chance. for example, would
Mackey or Bisbee stand for reelection if he were
| compelled to go home and make a canvass while
| still denied seat in the Housef Why, the Demo-
| Gratis would just hoot him down. and the Repgbli-
| can voters would lose heart completely They
could not be induced to turn T out and
ago But let justice be done, aud the contrary
would be true, and We should not only hold the
| Southern districts have, but gain probably as
many more. The Southern Republicans DO not want
to feel that by its inacton and indifference the Re
publican majority IN the House of Representatives
is willing TO encourage Southern frauds and bull
| doing; but that is what most Southern Repnbli-
cans will begin believe il that majority continues
much longer TO countenance fraud by allowing men
who were not elected to retain their seats"