New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-15
FRUTTLESS FIGURING.
DEMOCRATIC OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE
STILL CIpHERING TO SHOW A MAJORITY.
A BOLD FRONT, But PLAINLY I'M
FAsY-A POSSIBLE DEMOCRATIC PLOT.
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fay TELEGRAPH To rur rprprvyI
Washington Nov 14.-Those are anxious days for
tho Democratic officers of the House OF Representa-
tves On Wednesday they secuted the idea that the
Republicans would control the next House, or that
the Democrats would have less than 20 majority in
that body. On Thursday they began to feel uneasy,
and since that time they have been busy with pencils
and paper and figures, trying to avert defeat. Tho
telegraph wires have been kept hot between Washing
ton and the Congress districts, and Clerk Clark, Ser
ecant-at- Arms Lecdom and Postmaster Dalton have
maintained bold front, which proves that they arc
not deficient in courage
In "The PostD on Saturday morning
appeared an editorial designed to in
spire them with new hope and courage,
of which they were sadly in need. According to tbs
editorial, Edward Mcpherson and The NewYork Tfb-
unc seem to have gone crazy in attempting to figure
a largo majority IN the next House OF Representa-
tives The writer had good reason to state thai tho
lower branch OF Congress is in fair way to remain
under tho control OF the Democrats by from . 10
majority"
Hero is tho good reason: General John u. CLARK
the present Chief Clerk figures up majority as high
as seven, while the Sergeant alarms ncnes to tho
belief that IL will 20 low as three. good many
claims are made loosely, by telegraph, which. are nos
borne by dis patches from the persons Immediate
ly Interested and likely to have accurate returns
Tho editorial closes with tho following seq
tence, which might easily DO Interpreted TO
squint toward crooked work certain States In which
the Democrats have control Of the State Governmental
"If majority OF Democrats have certificates Oh
election 1t is not hazardng too much to predict THAI
they will present them and be sworn in'
Next year would not be good time for the Demo-
Gratis attempt anything of that sort, aithousn TO
ports from Arkansas, Virginia v est Virginia ana ono
or two other states convey information that ina
nound work for such an attempt has already been
General
Clark and Sergeant alarms Leedom tho other day
found both Of them In an uneasy and anxious frame
o! mind Fear dominated over hope In the breasts o.
both men. General Clark claimed the ELECTION %
164 Democrats to 161 Republicans, but he admitted
that his Information to three OF the alleged Demo.
Gratis was inconclusive and unsatisfactory, and that
Republicans might be returned, thus reversing hia
claimed Democratic majority. In order to make good
his OF 164 Democrats he is obliged to claim three
Democrats three Republicans, Instead of two Demo-
Gratis to four Republicans In California, Two Demo
Gratis to two Republicans, instead OF one Democrat ~
three Republicans, In Connecticut ten Democrats 70
three Republicans, instead Of nine Democrats 20 ioui
Republicans, in Indiana ten Democrats to one kepu-
lcan instead Of nine Democrats TO two Republic ans ID
Kentucky; five Democrats TO eight Republicans ID
stead of four Democrats nine Republic ans In Mch'
iean: three Democrats four Republicans instead OF
two Democrats to five Republicans. In New-Jersey'
eight Democrats two Republicans, instead OF seven
Democrats to three Republicans in Virginia, and thre'
Democrats to one Republican instead of one Democrat
to three Republicans, in West Virginia.
General Clark declined to specify the three Dis
trcts which he admitted TO be in doubt An In
specton of the foregoing statement Of differences,
however, discloses the interesting and significant fac.
that the entire excess Of Democratic claims thrca
| Is distributed among the five States OF Indiana,
| Kentucky, New-Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia.
| the State Government of each of which Is IN tba
hands of the Democratic party. Can 1t be thai
scheme IS aoot issue certificates to The Democratic
candidates in those States whether fairly elected OF
| not If it be found practicable by any means TO
| obtain three additional seats In other statcsl II
So it cannot succeed.