The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-18
Gen. CatchinQs's Seat Coveted by
His Negro Opponent, Hill.
Republicans VIII Not be Able to
Make Grand Sweep.
Their Majority In the Next Congress
Will be Too Small,
Not Exceeding Five, ut Any Rate-Pro
ceedings OF Congress-lngalls HUI
initiates Riddleberger- Gen.
eral Washington News.

Special Dispatch to The Appeal
WASHINGTON, Dec. l7.-Gcn. Catch
ings, of Mississippi, has been served will
notice TO the effect that the colored man
Hill, who was his opponent during the re-
cent Congressional election, will contest
his seat in the House. Hill charges in an
indefinite manner wholesale frauds on the
part OF the Democrats and suppression
of the Republican vote. 1t will be re-
membered that Gen. Catchings's majority
was something over 1000, and through
his personal popularity hundreds Of ne.
groes voted for him for Congress, while
they cast their ballots for Harrison fol
President.
II defeated Republican Congressional
candidates in the South are relying
upon the fact that the next House
will be controlled by their party, contest
the election of Democratic Congressman
in the expectation Of obtaining the seats
without trouble they will be greatly disap,
pointed. The Republican majority in the
House will be too small TO avail them
much in any plan looking to the wholesale
turning out OF Democratic representatives
simply on the ground, rs in the case oi
Gen. Catchings, that the Republican
negroes outnumber the Democratic whites
in the contested districts, and that there
fore the Republican candidates should
have been elected even II they were not.
The Democrats, although In the minority,
will be very strong In the next House
and they propose 10 have fair play
with regard 10 these contested election
cases. They are not going 10 sit idly by
aud see their colleagues turned out Of
their seats without having something TO
say in the premises They will be strong
enough To almost make their own terms.
II good proof can be produced that Dem.
ocrat holding certificate OF election OBJ
tanned Il through fraud or other unlawful
means, they will not attempt To support
his cause, but II the Republicans should
attempt 90 turn out q Democrat who was
fairly and honestly elected, the whole
Democratic party in 10 House will, 10 n
man, oppose the prol CT and II need be,
lilibuslnr to prevent is outrage.
The Republican PC ition In the next
House viii not be pleasant one by any
means. With 80 small majority, not ox-
cecding five ia any event, they will find II
an imp0ssiblity 10 run things in the high
handed way which some Republicans ON
the outside seem 10 expect Of them. They
will find il impossible to keep all their
members always present, aud the point Of
no quorum will be very effective weapon
In the hands Of the Democrats.
The Democrats propose 10 assist In rcgu.
lating the manner In which contested cleo
ton eases shall DO taken up. After one
case has been disposed, In which the ap-
plicans are In favor Of Republican con-
tcstant or contcsteo, they intend 10 compel
the consideration ol ease in which the
chances favor "a Democrat. In this man.
ncr they expect 10 be- able 10 equali1,
things, and the plan will take away from
the Republicans many OF the joys Of vic.
tory.