The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-06-03
EXTREME PARrIsANsHIP

EXTREME PARTISANSHIP,
The decision OF the MAcKEY-DIBBLE con-
tested case, in the house of representatives,
the other day, displayed an amount Of
prejudice and bitter partisanship on the
part Of the republicans, which has not been
witnessed since the celebrated presidential
commission, by which the Hon. X. II.
HAYES got his passport 10 fame and MIR
TuDEN's 500, 700. Then, as in this recent
case, the effort was made by the democrats
to get behind the returns and investigate
the alleged frauds, but they were per-
sistently out-voted, Such was the case in
the contest just settled by seating MAcKEY.
1t seems that MAcKEY was n contes-
tant for 0'CoNNoRs seat who died pending
the matter, and DIBBLE was elected to fill
the vacancy. In the race by which DIBBLE
was elected he received some 1900 votes,
while only 800 were cast for MAoKEY. Still
by u strict party vote, the latter was day
or two since seated. The deadlock which
has existed so long and which had been
kept up by the democrats, resulted from
the refusal Of the republicans to submit to n
recommittal of the case for the purpose
Of examining the truth or falsity of the
alleged frauds. The case was decided at
last upon purely political grounds, was
handled and regarded by the congressional
majority indeed without reference to its
real facts. or those over which the contest
really existed, but seemed simply to have
| been settled because the majority was
small In the house and any accessions were
| to be obtained at all hazards. There was
| time when such bare.faced and shameless
partiaanship would haze provoked storm
| of Indignation throughout the entire coun-
try, and it is an indication of the
utterly party-spirit condition Of public
affairs that such matter now only
raises a few comments of disapproval from
the opposition press, aud is hailed as quite
the proper thing by the other side of the
house. And yet here was seated man al
most upon his 81 mple claim and over the
opposition Of representatives Of three or
four million voters, and seated, too, with
all the manifestations Of impudence and of
frontery that would characterize the opera
tons power in an absolute monarchy.
The democrats were fighting yaliantly for
| Investigation before action, but were
overpowered, and Mr., DrBBLE has
to vacate his seat in favor Of
the man who simply said "that
place is mine.' Coming directly on the
heels OF the CHALNERs-LYNCn contest it
looks rs II the present party majority in
limitation Of their speaker, meant to run
matters exclusively to suit themselves and
without reference to legal rules and the
dictates of policy and propriety. There
are two or three other cases to come up for
adjustment, but the result can easily be
anticipated-no returns will be Investigated
but the ruling party representatives will be
aficctionately taken into the fold. One
inevitable result must follow. Intensified
by such partisan exhibitions of illiberality
ana feeling the parties will only continue
to display prejudces and organize upon
purely party principles and all independent
or progressive questions and movements
will be lost sight of. Such cases as these
We have just mentioned ought to impress
upon legislators the necessity for the pas.
sage OF laws which would render decisions
so partial and hasty entirely impossible. 1t
is high time that we were ceasing to, depend
upon the fairness or honor of politicians,
and were addressing ourselves TO the enact
ment of every Limitation to their discretion
which the recent history of legislation has
rendered almost imperative, and certainly
Just and appropriate.