Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-06
West Virginia


Some OF cur exchanges are "posing tun
q, the people OF West Virginia because even
now, two months after the day OF the last
presidenta and congressional elections, u"
not known WHO will get the necessary certih-
Gates showing that they have been chosen 10
represent TIE Third and Fourth districts OF
that state 10 the national House OF Repre-
sentstlyes, nor Who Is to be the next Cover
nor.
We have said heretofore, aud we repeat
now. that We admire the fixed purpose
manifested by the Democrats OF West Nir-
Ripia 10 prevent QUAY & co., from pro-
fling BY the bribery aud corruption and
fraud and general rascaIity which eharac'
ferized their conduct Of the Republican side
Of the recent campaign in that state. Those
tricksters deliberately selected The httle
mountain State, having six electoral votes
ns the one that should by fair means or foul
be counted for HARRISON. II was plausi-
BILE scheme. Look st the figures, As they
were standing for months before the eyes
of the leaders OF the same party that stole
TIE presidency 10 1876.
In 1884 Mr.. BLAINE received 1873 electoral
votes. As only 2o1 are necessary 20 choice
he lacked but 10 votes OF enough to elect
him. In 1888 il was considered absolutely
certain that HARRISON would carry oil the
States which BLAINE carried IN 1854. There
fore, Quay & Co. set shout deylsing scheme
for getting the 10 votes wanting. New
York was generally conceded to CLEVELAND
(by mistake, the result shows. Where were
the 10 votes 10 be obtainedf Indiana
was a Democratic State. IL had voted
Tor CLEVELAND in 1884, and could
not be counted upon certainly to vote for
HARRISON. on the contrary, 1t was con-
sidered as safe for CLEVELAND as New YORK.
The nineteen votes must he obtained some
where. IL would have been TO throw away
money, so QUAY thought, to put 1t into such
an immense State as New York, with son
OF her own running for President. QUAY
was equal TO the emergency. Here are the
figures which showed what was to be done
BIAine in 1881 received
New Jersey. West Virginia, and Connecticut. u
a03
Two more than enough to elect.
Whist were the maiortIes in these States in
ISS4i Could they be OyercomeS Look;
Connecticut only ,2Sl plurality; New Jer'
soy only 4,4l9; West Virginia only 4,22l.
Only O,0i7 in all these States. Aud change
of only 4,0i9 votes would elect HARRISON.
What a prospect What a field for the In
yestment Of the thousands OF dollars IN
QUAY's possession. But
"The bost-lald schemes Of mice and mon
Gang ait Reley."
And QUAY did not succeed In carrying
single one OF the three States.
However, QUAY has caused vsst deal OF
trouble 10 West Virginia, though CLEvE-
LANDS undisputed majority there is about
thousand. Bogus voters were so distrlbu-
ted as to come very near defeating the Demo-
cratic candidates for Congress. In the First
and Second congregational districts WILSON
and PENpLEToN (DemOcrats) have received
certificates OF election. but il, the Third aud
Fourth The contest still goes on. How 1t
happens that these contests should last so
long we let the Wheeling Register explain:
"In West Virginia the mode Of handling
Me election returns is a. follows: The COM
basasioners OF election at the several polling
plaees, after counting the ballots place them
IN a sealed envelope, the names Oh said COM
uiSsiouers beng written across tie seat.
Within four days after the election The bal
lots 80 sealed must be delivered TO the Clerk
Of the County Court, together with one set
OF the poll-b0oks aud one certificate OF cleo
books are delivered 70 the Clerk OF the Ctr-
euit Court. On the fifth day after the
election tho commissioners OF the County
Court convene IN special session TO
examine tne returns. They may oX-
anime the necessary witnesses under
oath and make such other orders as usy
be deemed necessary 20 secure correct
returns. ANY candidate voted for
NAV have recount OF the ballots upon de-
mapd while the court Is in session. Esch OF
the commissioners is required to sign several
separate certificates Of the result 10 his coun-
" for each OF the offices naned on The ticket.
A certificate Is delivered 10 each member oil
the Legislature elected and one to the Secre-
tAry OF state, TO he submitted by him TO the
Senate and House. on the certificates for
State Offices, they are sealed, endorsed, and
transmitted 70 the Secretary OF State, who
delivers them unopened TO the Speaker OF the
House Of DELEGATES on the opening OF the
Legislature. The Speaker publishes them
before a majority Of eleh House and the re-
suit II declared. II 1t be tie on any Office
the Legislature, by Joint ballot, settles the
matter. OF The certificates for Judges, cons
gressmen, aud presidential electors, one III
each case is transmitted TO the Governor
who proelaims the result"
To make these regulations effective the
courts have been called upon. The proceed
ings in the courts have prolonged the con-
tests go far as the returns for congressman
are concerned. Tue contest over the elec-
ton for Governor has not been settled,
either, but will be renewed in Joint assembly
OF the two houses Of the Legislature this