The daily gazette., 1882-12-08
- " Gasette
wlLNINeroN, FRIDAY, DEoEmBRn 5
Tho sheritraltx Contest.

In the Superior Court, yesterday, legal |
proceedings were instituted by counsel for |
Purnal j. Lynch, late Democratic candidate |
for Sheriff, against his Republican competi-
tor, James Martin, who now holds the Office
to which the contestant believes himself
TO have been honestly elected.
Against the propriety of this action no
pcrsonal or political protest can be entered,
and no man, regardless Of his politics, can
iecently object to having this matter OF con-
test judicially determined, no matter what
the result may be. If the contest reveals
the fact that Mr.. Lynch was honestly elected,
Mr.. Martin has no right to complain, while
if 1t results in more strongly confirming the
latter's right to the office the ends of justice
will have been attained equally as well.
An important factor in this contest is the
necessity of its early conclusion, and We
hope the court, with its usual courtesy In
adopting all means for promptly dispatching
business Of pressing importance, will depart
from the usual line OF procedure In this
case and allow it to be pressed to speedy
determination. The reasons for this are
obvious, as it can readily be seen that it
would prove Of no benefit whatever TO the
contestant to so through the regular process
of tedious litigation, which might occupy
the entire official term, and thus deprive
him of what he mest desired III case the
contest resulted i'll his favor.
It has not been many months since the
court set apart special ter,l for the con
sideration OF case similar TO this In itt
legal aspect, but not possessing q 1.-THE o.
the Importance or attracting the meresi
traction Of the public interest that this case
docs. A similar course, it seems to US
would be even more pertinent aud appro
priate now, when the very essence Of th'
matter is controversy depends upon set
tlement at the very earliest possible
moment consistent with Que regard fer tn
rules Of the court and tie regular pracesse
of Law.
This is a matter, however, which we ar
sure will receive The earnest attention O
the ceuit, and il IL is possible to secure pre-
cedence and dispatch Tor this case, 10 OF
stacles will lie interlosed by the benef
Justice is not always slow in Delaware, au
in u matter where time is OF such yai
moment the Interested parties may rest a
sured that their rights will be respected al
every opportunity given them to settle Ii
grave question of official contest at Il
earliest possible day.
'fha case is entirely without precedent
the history OF this State, aud this fact on
serves 10 intensity tie general interest
the result II is = matter that affects eve
cilzen of the county who cast his ballot
the general election, and those who vol
against as well as those WHO voted for
contestant are interested in the judic
determination OF the result Of their bale
1t is simply a move to tess the purity of
election, and the result will prove that VI
small majority will not stand against
dcnce that it was secured by a fraud, ye
an honest election a majority of
vote is as binding and conclusive as a
jor.ty of thousand. Aside from the
sonal wishes OF the contestant, this g
principle is the very foundation of the
test, and It's carly settlement will b
atrict onfoimity with tie desire of The
than fifteen thousand electors of New G
county who exercised the right of snfi
on the seventh of November, and who
yet in doubt as to the legal effect OF
ballots, as far as the Office Of Sheriff is
ecrned.