The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-01
O'Ferrall VS.. Paul.

As our Washington correspondent long
ago repeatedly assured us that Mr.. PAUL
would disappointed to succeed Mr.. RIvEs as
Judge OF the United States District Court for
the Western District OF Virginia, we took oc-
casion some time ago to state the effect such
appointment would have upon the contest
now going on between Messrs. O'FERRALL
and PAUL foY seat in the next Congress as
representative from the Seventh district of
Virginia. Now, however, as Mr.. PAUL has
received the appointment, we will restate
the case as il stands.
First, Governor CAMERON will have to
decide for himself whether there is va
cancy in the congressional delegation, il
being his duty to issue all writs to fill va
cancies in the congressional delegation
from Virginia. AS he has already decided
officially that Mr.. PAUL was elected last
November, IL goes without saying that he
will hold that there is such vacancy, and.
so holding, will order an election TO be held
to fill it. The election will probably be
held on the fourth Thursday in May, the
day for the regular elections for county
officers.
The ordering Of a new election, and the
commissioning OF new claimant OF the
seat in dispute, will not affect Mr.. OFFER
RAILS right to that seat to the smallest ex-
tent. Governor CAMERON did all he could
to prejudice the House OF Representatives
against Mr.. O'FERRALL's claim when he
last fail commissioned Mr.. PAUL as IIepre-
sentative. As we have said heretofore,
Governor KEMpER, and Mr.. DANIEL the
Acknowledgement OF Virginia under him,
once decided not to order an election un.
der similar circumstances because ii was
the province OF the House OF Delegates (ir
that case) to decide for itself rs to which Of
the two claimants was entitled TO the seat
SO In the case under consideration, nothing
that Governor CAMERON can do will aiIec
Mr.. 0'FERgALL's title TO his. seat. Tn,
election will go for nothing-the case viii
stand just as II no election had been held
II the House Of Representatives shall dc
eide that Mr.. O'FERRALL was elected il
November last. In other words, the Hous,
OF Representatives will not allow Governor
CAMERON nor anybody else to decide for il
question Of which the Federal Constitu,
fion makes that House the sole Judge.
Nor win Mr.. PAUL's resignation OF his
title TO the seat affect Mr.. O'FERRALI's
title. Mr.. PAUL can resign only such title
as'hc has and this, of course, is none al
all according to Mr.. 0'FERRALL's view OF
the matter. Briefly speaking, the House
OF Representatives will not allow Mr..
PAULto resign Mr.. 0'FERRALL's right to
the seat IN dispute. To treat Mr.. PAUL's
resignation as a decision. OF the question
would be an abdication on the part Of the
House OF Representatives OF its constitu-
tlonal functions In this regard.
Nevertheless, ms an election will be held,
Mr.. OFEIRALL ought to enter the lists as
candidate. 1t Is unfortunate that he
should be subjected TO so much expense
and 80 much trouble; but we do not see
bow he can well avoid renewed contest.
Nobody else would like to become cam
didate for place to which he claims that
be already has an Indefeaslble title. To
cleet another Democrat this spring from
he Seventh district would be 10 send to
thc next House Of Representatives two