The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1885-02-13
Anderson VS.. Hutchinson,

Anderson VS.. Hutchinson.
In the assembly, ut Bismarck, on the 4th, the
committee on elections reported in relation to
the withdrawal of Mr.. Anderson's contest, in
timatng that the withdrawal was brought
about by corrupt means, and recommended
that Mr.. Anderson be seated The committee
expressed much indignation AMI was OF the
opinion that the house owed it to itself to seat
Mr.. Anderson. ..as
Mr.. McCumber made a minority report in
behalf Of Mr.. Hutchinson. Mr.. Anderson had
withdrawn his case and had done so in good
faith and for reasons which were fully set forth
in his letter of withdrawal. If the letters iii
relation to this case We're to be printed, the re-
Election would he upon Mr.. Anderson-not
upon DR.. Hutchinson-and he was confident
Mr.. Anderson did not desire an investigation.
Mr. Barnes said this house was the judge Of
the qualifications OF its own members The
case had been referred to the committee. The
committee has examined the facts. They find
Mr.. Anderson was elected; that DR.. Hutchin-
son was not. The seat does not belong to DR..
Hutchinson. 1t does not belong to Mr.. Ander-
son as his personal property. Neither have
any right to dispose Of the seat. 1t is the right
and duty Of this house to settle this case upon
its merits. 1t is time to stop bargaining away
the rights of the people. There are some pe-
culiar facts in relation to this case and the Pc
culiarities in this case are not to the credit Of
the contestee.
Mr.. Coe spoke iu behalf of the minority re-
port. The committee had no doubt acted in
good faith, and the majority had acted upon
the evidence before 1t, but there is evidence
that was not considered. MI. Anderson had
Withdrawn his contest, and having Withdrawn
it there is none pending.
Mr.. Blakemore said there are rulnors in re-
lation to this case that some ono has sold out,
and If some one has sold out then some one
has bought He spoke of letter from Mr..
Anderson which has been in his possession
some days, and that letter proves that MIR. An
derson is unworthy of seat ii he has accepted
pribe. If an investigation shows that Mr..
Hutchinson is party to the offers that have
been made he should be expelled but until an
Investigation shows him to be responsible he
should be retained in his seat, and he moved
that the letter Of Mr.. Anderson be read.
Mr.. McCumber hoped the letter would not be
read. 1t vas private letter. 1t was written
in moment Of excitement. It would iniure
Mr.. Anderson and do no good.
The motion to read the Anderson letter was
lost.
Mr.. Martin offered resolution instructing
the committee on elections to investigate the
causes that led to the alleged withdrawal of
Mr.. Anderson.
Mr.. Coe presented the letter Of Mr. Anderson
withdrawing from the contest.
| Mr. Barnes denounced in unmeasured terms
the bargain that is said to have been made for
| the disposal Of this seat. The question for this
house to consider relates to who received the
most votes. That being determined, the law
provides what must be done. No man has a
right to make bargains In relation to the seats
the people bsstow. Can any man do it and
come here and listen to the prayers OF the
chaplain asking Gods blessing upon the mem
bers Of this house?
Mr.. Martin believed the house had already
settled this case and awarded the seat to Mr.
Anderson, but he was in favor of full investi-
CATION. The house owes it TO itself to investi-
gate, and If wrong has been perpetrated it
should be rebuked. The contestant and con-
testee should both be called upon to testify. The
house should have the facts.
| Mr.: sprague favored the investigation. II
Mr.. Anderson was elected he should be awarded
the seat. He should be awarded 1t because he
| is entitled to it, and in order that lie may be
dealt with by this house il liz has sought to dis
pose of it corruptly. If Dr. Hutchinson is ell-
titled to the seat an investigation should be had
that will remove all doubt.
| Mr.. Steele urged that the letter of Mr.. All
derson should be read. That which it is sup
posed to contain will not do Mr. Anderson more
| harm than the facts possibly could
Mr.. Martins motion to investigate was
adopted. This investigation will be conducted
| by the special committee on elections, Of which
Mr.. Barnes is charman.-B Jou,naL.