New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-03
AFFAIRS AT WASHINGTON.
THE LoWE-wHEELER ELECTION CASE.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE rRTBuNH.l

liir TELEGRAPH To THE rRIBuNEl
WASHINGTON June 1.-The House of Represent
atives devoted the day to a discussion of the Lowe
Wheeler contested election case, a final vote upon
Which will be taken tomorrow afternoon. The
main facts in this case were set forth IN THE TRIB-
BUNE several weeks ago. Wheeler counted
in " by the Democratic election officers OF the
Nlllth Alabama District, who gave him majority
OF 43 votes. TO effect this result they were com
PEELED to reject about 600 Love ballots on the
ground that they bore distinguishing
marks" The Alabama law respecting
distinguishing marks on printed ballots
is similar to that of Mississippi, that the main
question at issue in the pending case resembles that
in the Lynch-Chalmcrs case. In Alabama the
Democrats counted Lowe out, because on some OF
bis ballots to the name of each candidate for Presi
dental Elector was prelixed the numefal deSig-
mating the number Of his Congressional district.
There was also question involving the proper con-
stTuctIon OF the Registration laws OF Alabama in
relation TO certain yO;cs east for Love and rejected
The majority of the Elections Committee found
that instead of Wheeler receiving majority Of ~
votes Lowe was actually elected by majority of
about $50 votes.
Mr. Thompson, of Iowa n member OF the Elections
Committee, opened the discussion to day i'll a strong
speech reviewing the law and the facts in the case.
TO have been reading JoScphus and Gibbon lately
and whose speech tened with classic and historical
aiusiOns most of which were remote, indeed
Mr. AthcrtOn brought the accusation that the
Grceubackcrs and Republicans had made a bargain,
one of the conditions Of which was the seating of
Lowe Mr. Jones, of Texas, denounced this as n
faschood; and Mr. Atherton jus flied himself by
quotation from a Republican newspaper saying
that the Republicans aud Grccnbacer3 would stand
together to see justice dOLe Lowe. Yes" inter-
jected several Republicans, TO see Justice DONE"
Mr.. lIoT. of Michigan, made very charactistic
speech, in the beginning OF which he ironically COM
plimented the Democrats upon their success in fill
clustering under the leadership of their Napoleon
(AIr. Randall, assisted by their Ney tMr. Black
burnl while their Joan of Arc (Mr. Springer came
in as the penul;inatc hero of the occasion. Mr..
lIorr read and commented very freely on the fol-
lowing sentences in a circular of instructions issued
by the Democratic leaders in the campaign Of 1850:
Make at a complete list of the qualified negro
voters in your precinct, in which shall be set down
what merchant or o,her person advances Tor him. 1t
is deemed preferable that this be made by
lary appointed census takers committees and that
e negro Coter should EOw that he Is thus ehFoed BHe
There are number of negroes who will not vote with
us, but VINO VIII promise to stay away from the polls
TO look after these and that they adhere to their
promise. Enroll young white men OF ne precinct under
the voting aec before the day OF The election ana assign
each one 10 his negro.
Mr. Horr's remarks were frequently applauded,
and he had large audience.
General Wheeler began II long speech in his own
behalf. He is a very small man physically, and has
a rather veal, voice. soon after he began speaking
he climbed up and stood in the revolving chair at
his desk and from that attitude continued his re-
marks. This unusual performance nc once attracted
attention, and litter ran through his audience,
soon giving way however, to looks OF
concern, lest in one OF II hl' 4nlcki nervous 9i5
floor In few minutes such catastrophe
very nearly happened, but the 1.-THE exrebel cavalry
leader recovered himself by vigorous gymnastlc
effort and for several minutes balanced himself on
his precarious platform, neryousiy seeking for
reference III the pile OF documents before hlm; AT
last. accepting the advice OF several Republican
members, ne descended from his insecure perch and
took up a position at the Clerks de'l.
General Wheeler's speech was an earnest 94e,
by the Elections Committee, but his arguments
were disjointed and i'll arranged. and did not e m
to make very deep impression. 1t was noticeable
that more Republicans than Democrats gave
him their attention General Wheclcrs state
ment that the committee dealt ncOnsideratey with
him aud his case does not appear TO be well founded
The testimony in The was all printed by Feb
ruary T. and has since been accessible 10 anyone
who desired To examine it. On February 20 the
subcommittee ordered Lowe 10 file his brief within
twenty days ana the printed Drle1 was submitted
on March l. on which day General Wheeler was III
struc ed TO file his brief III reply within
tweny G3yi' i" MaacG mqcGn 2s I% Hd '19 o@
the following day the case was argued by hr.
loves counsel On April g. General Nheclers
counsel were heard. From that daie unti May 10
the case was under consideration by the suD-cOm-
mttee, and on May II the report OF the sub-cOm-
mttec was adopted by the iull committee On May
Il the report was submitted to the House. During
the last fortnight more. copies OF TIE report could
be had on Application to the clerk or any member
of the Elections Committee. lhls statement CT facts
appears to be due TO the members OF the Elections
Committee, who have becn accused of acting pre-
cIultatclV.