West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-11-22
JUDGE rLEMIse's CARD.

FLsMISG's CARD.
The Intelligoncer of yesterday pub
fishes a communication over the name
of Gen. Golf, in which he says that
Mcdowell county gives me n hun
dred and s%eventy-four majority. Hon.
John Cooper telegraphs from Bramwell
that my majority in Wyoming is one
hundred and Twenty-Five"
Upon the above information, which
comes in the case of Mcdowell from a
source not named, and in the case Of
Wyoming from one John Cooper, who
is doubtless a party friend of Gen.
Gof, and does not appear to be in Wy
oming county and which information
in either case does not purport to be
official, Gen. Gof proceeds to claim
without any qualification whatever,
that 1--WE have corried the State;" and
still further, upon the aforesaid infor-
nation, and in the face Of the indis-
putable fact that a summary of the
official retuans from all counties of the
State have not been received or pro-
mulgatcd By any official authority
not excepting the semi-oficial authori-
ty Of his own State Committec-Gen.
Golf, nevertheless, proceeds to assert
in defiant language that he proposes,
even upon this unofficial and incomplete
evidence Of the result, to take meas
ures to contest his claim to the cleo
ton before all suitable tribunals"
This does not apper to me to be the
attitude, OF the language, or the spirit
of a candidate who sincerely desires to
arrive at the truth, as the first consid-
Grafton, or who is willing choerfully
to abide the result if upon the face of
the returns there is conclusive evidence
of his defeat. / understand Gen. Golf
10 declare that he has already made up
his mind, at this point, no matter what
the complete returns may show on
their face, that he will contest tho
election.
So far as I am personally concerned,
have sincerely desired that the returns
of the commissioners of the several
counties might settle and conclude this
contest. L do not want the election if
there is any reasonable doubt that !
was honestly elected. l would not
admit my election if I knew it to be
dishonesty obtained. And | have
been willing thatth poll-books should
decide it.
But on the other hand, / do not in
tend to be bulldo2cd into a confession
of defeat; or frightened By threats or
defiance; nor will 1 submit until the
last extremity, to have the people
tricked, or deceived, or in any unlaw-
full manner deprived of the fair and
honest declaration Of their choice as
expressed at the polls on November 9th.
And since Gen. Coz has thrown out a
challenge to the Democratic party. at
this stage, to contest with him the
result Of said election, / feel il my
duty, as the representative of that
party in the late election, to accept his
challenge. And in view Of the atti-
tude which he assumes, as we'll as of
the surprising and inexplicable returns
Of the vote purporting to have been
cast for him in some Of the counties.
and the consequent suspicion which
these returns have raised in the minds
Of hundreds Of conscientious citizens.
to say nothing Of other evidences Of
fraud, ] could not, in justice to tho
people Of West Virginia, refuse TO ae-
cept the challenge which Gen. GoGhas
so de6aHtly made. And j now say TO
him that Whatever the farther develop
ments Of The election may cveol-evos
though they show a fair majority ia my
favor, as ] have every reason to assume
that the honest result viii do-yet J
am not only ready TO follow him into
all suitable tribunals to have the issue
investigated but shall insist that
this course shall be iakon TO the end
that The whole matter be thoroughly
sifted and honestly determined And
! further assure Con. Gog. that. once
began, / viii not be ready to putt tho
contest until it has been sinod 10 iho
very bottom, and the rights Of the poo-
pie clearly established.
a. b. FLgNINa.
Fairmont w Va. Nov. 20, 1883