Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-29

The press dispatches from washington have an
nounced that several cases Of contests for seats in
the House are to be settled, before Congress adj
Journs, by voting out the incumbents and voting
In the contestants. without any reference to the
merits OF these cases whatever, the fact that they
are held in reserve, to be determined almost at
the very close OF Congress, will to point out
one of the abuses that has grown up in connec-
ton with the settlement OF contested cases. IL
has been 4 custom with both political parties to
hold contests which were too weak to stand upon
their own merit until toward The end OF Congress,
and then vote In the adherent OF the majority.
The records OF the closing days OF past Congresses
VIII prove this The change I'm seats seems to be
brought.abCut by some tacit agreement or arrange
mant The contestant, belonging TO the majority,
comes IN, serves few days and draws two years
pay-s10,0oo The conteStee, belonging to the MI
norty, serves out nearly all OF his term and also
gets two years pay. This arrangement satisfies
the man belon-ing'to the majority and usually Is
not dl5pleaSing to the minority man, who loses
only few days OF his term, but gets his pay. In
this Way the people are made TO pay double for
congressional representation OF certain districts,
when, in justice, they should be taxed with but
one COngreS5m1n'5 salary. II contested cases
must be postponed until the closing days of Con-
greSS the people ought not to be made to pay for
the delay In deciding them. Several cases are set
down for disposition In this manner during the
remaining few days of this Congress. The con-
testantS who have been asking g. hearing for
nearly two yelrS VIII receive from their party
IN ijority balm that Will heal all past suspense
and disappointment. Every one will be given
seat In time perhaps, to get In one vote. and, In
addition, $1,000 besides allowance for expenses in
making the contest.
President Grevy has declared In favor of disso-
luton of the French chamber OF deputies and of
thus remitting to the people the right to determine
hattu
and the claims OF the monarchical and legltimist
pretenders. In other words, the President of the
republic prefers to have the people of France cut
the G0rdian knot in which Short-sighted States
DanShlp involved the republic. 1t Is now appar-
ent that the Duclerc cabinet, which has lust re-
signed was infected with disoyaltg to the republic
IL was made up OF incOngruous and inharmOniOus
political elements and was divided ana antago
nlsiic at a time when 1t should have been united
and determined. The existing chamber of depu-
ties Is also composed of numerous factions though
large majority OF the members are committed to
REPUBLICAN form OF government An examina-
tion Of the will of the people, following close upon
the agitation raised by the pretenders would In
all probability be so decidedly In support of the
republic as to quiet those fears which have been
raisedand give assurances to the country of perm
anency and quiet. ApOpular election would also,
should IL result as there Is every to believe
IL would, In support OF the republic no doubt send
10 the chamber OF deputies republican majority
harmonious in Its views and action The found
alton principle of free government lies in the
consent of the governed. and President Grevy
exhibits his craftsmanship In advising that
the VIII of the people, Father than Of the present
ieaders, De consulted in the existing crisis.
According TO one OF the numerous counsel for
the defense In the star route cases. three of the
defendants have expended 100000 to save them
selves from that penalty which the law inf1icts for
roooing the government This lawyer however
negects to tell one important fact of some interest
In connection with the expenditure OF the three
defendants he mentions. 1t Is that these
three men, who pocketed the largest share
OF the plumber, have been impelled by fear
70 bear the expenses OF the other DEFENDANTS
who got OH with less OF the "swag." The promise
OF protection and defense had to be given to the
smaller and, In one sense, less fortunate members
OF the conspiracy to dissuade them from saving
themselves by turning states evidence The ex-
penses OF the defense have actually been borne by
the three men mentioned In this interview of one
OF the counsel for the defendants, and that Is the
reason why the others who figure In the role OF
defendants were not included in enumerating the
thousands OF dollars expended.
OavSnSR or go.