New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-29
CONGRESS REP UBLICAN

Credit is due to the Governor Of Tennessee
great credit instead of the censure which a
recent telegram made him seem to deserve.
The telegram stated that he had decided to
throw out the votes of two whole precincts, be-
cause there were ex parte allegations that few
illegal votes were cast at each. The Demo-
cratic Sheriffs who first certified the votes cast
and afterward attempted to make amended
returns do not seem to have pretended that the
number of illegal votes was enough to affect
the result. Nor did it appear that they had
legal power to alter the returns once forward
ed, or that the Governor had power to go be-
hind or change them Dispatches now state
that the Governor has decided that he has no
such power that the vote of entire precincts
cannot be thrown out because it is alleged that
some illegal votes were there cast, and that he
will issue the certificate to the Republican can
didate for Congress, Mr.. Evans, who was elect
ed on the face of the returns. Considering
the pressure brought to bear on Southern
Democratic Governor to make a partisan de-
cison for the supposed benefit Of his party,
the action Of the Governor as now reported
shows praiseworthy fidelity to the law
The Secretary of State, according to other
dispatches, differs from the Governor, and
declares that he will not sign the certificate Of
the Republican Congressman That will not
matter if the Governor issues the certificate as
he has decided, for the other contested cases
are getting settled in way to insure Re
publican organization Of the House. In Louisi-
ana, according to dispatches Of Tuesday, the
State Board of Canvassers decided to give the
nj or 70
who was elected on the face Of the returns
In Maryland Governor Jackson on Tuesday
signed the certificate of Mr. Stockbridge after
unexplained delay. Perhaps Mr.. German has
concluded that the Democratic party cannot
afford to count in majority of the House. The
decision of the State Board in Virginia on
Tuesday seems to have been in favor of the
Republican candidates in the Ist and lid dis
tricts. In West Virginia it IS stated that the
Democrats have decided not to attempt by legal
entanglements to prevent the issue of certif-
Gates to two Republicans According to these
reports, there is no longer any doubt that a
majority of those receiving certificates of cleo
tion will be Republicans
Afterward will come the contests, and in
action upon these the next House ought to set
an example of integrity and promptness. It
is astonishing in how great number Of dis
tricts the pluraities this year appear to have
been less than hundred Where there is sup
posed to be real reason to question the legality
of votes or returns, in such cases as these, a
contest is not to be regarded as partisan at
tempt to defeat the will of the people. But
the House ought to reach a decision as prompt
y as possible, Under Democratic control de-
ciSions have repeatedly been deferred so long
that the power to vote for contested district
has been practically stolen for nearly the entire
Congressional term. A Republican majority
will decide contested cases more promptly. In
different and usually much larger class Of
cases hitherto no substantial ground for con-
test has appeared, and the contestant has
nevertheless been rewarded for setting up an
impudent partisan claim by a large pecuniary
allowance. II is a good time to set the prece-
dent that no allowance whatever shall be made
in favor of contestant who comes to the
House without substantial and strong evidence
to support his claim.