The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-07-29
4 South Carolina View Of the Election
ConfeSt. s.

=; --@s- --e---- C0hteSts 81
The Republicans, as was expected,
paid no heed to the facts and argu-
ments presented by the minority. The
conviction that this would be. the case
led the minority to interpose dilatory
motions for the purpose of securing
full investigation of the evidence of
Mackey's forgeries. The filibustering
was unsuccessful, but to make it un-s
successful the Republicans were obliged
to amend the rules by revolutionary
process. This process is based upon
the assumption that the Speaker has the
right to stop debate on any question
which he considers privileged, whenev-
er he thinks proper to do so. The
Speaker and a bare majority of the
House can. by virtue of this doctrine,
adjust the rules of the House to the ne
cessities of every hour and question,
and the rules are so made an absolute
nullity whenever the majority choose to
disregard them. 1t is now commended.
and with reason, that the doctrine
formulated for Mackey's benefit will APP
ply equally well to appropriation bills
and other similar measures. and that
the majority can amend these, at will,
in violation of the rules which were
framed for the protection of the public
Treasury. Ex-Secretary Robson and
the rest of the Grant crew knew what
was wanted. s4 0
Mackey holds seat in Congress, but
he is no more the representative of this
Congressional District than he was be-
fore the Republicans Violated law and
precedent for his benefit. Might does
not make right. Mackey is in Congress
to-day by virtue of forgery, and not by
virtue Of the popular vote. To the
honest voters of the District he is
political outcast. and such he must re-
main.
The duty of the Democrats in Con-
gress is not yet done entirely. They al
lege and can prove Mackey has been
guilty of conduct which units him for
any Office of trust, and which exposes
him, if found guilty, to more severe
punishment than simple expulsion. To
stop now is to admit that partisan vote
has established Mackey's innocence.
The Democrats should move at once for
the appointment of a special committee
to investigate the charges against Mack
ey. There can be no plea that the rights
of ''the constitutional majority" are
invaded or that public business is OBJ
structed. Mackey is in position to
draw his pay and vote. The majority
cannot oppose the motion for an investi-
cation without exposing themselves to
the suspicion that they know him to be
guilty. Mackey cannot resist it without
confessing fear of the consequences to
himself. If the Republicans refuse to
consent to an investigation by a COM
mittee of the House Of Representatives,
there is nothing to prevent an investiga-
ton by Grand Jury here in South Car
DINA. The law has been violated ia
GRAVITY. 1t is more henious crime to
rob the people of representation, by for
gerry, than to rob AN individual of mon
ey. The State will not be respected,
the law will not be feared, if a man who
steals a whole Congressional District,
by deliberate and systematic fraud, goes
unchallenged, untried. UNPUBLISHED.
| Mr.. Dibble has no reason to regret the
Immediate result of the struggle in
which, against his own wish, he became
engaged. Politically speaking he was
conscript, as he did not want nomina-
ton for Congress and refused to take it,
but he has fought with the ardor of q
volunteer and his ability has won that
recognition which is usually the reward
of years of good service. In every re-
spect he has been an admirable Repre-
sentative of the District and in the man.
agement of the contested election he
was everything that the State and the
people could desire. His labors, his ar
guments, his investigations, put the
Democrats on solid ground and enabled
them to take q stand that will be of inf
mite benefit to the party wherever cour-
age in the assertion of right and the de-
nunciation of wrong are felt and appre-
ciated. Some compensation there is in
store for Mr.. Dibble. Deserving well of
the State and the people, he win be re-
nominated for Congress and will again
be elected. This is due to him and to
those whom he has represented SO
faithfully and WE'LL Charleston Neus
and Courier.