Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-06
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 8. 1889.
Not SO Fast

The Republicans In West Virginia are al
ready threatening what they will do 10 'he
event OF the failure OF the Legislature OF
that state to 6nd that Mr.. Corr was elected
Governor last November, aud one OF our
Republican exchanges In philadelphia says
IN almost 90 msny words that Mr.. HARRISON
can be relied upon TO sisplace Mr.. FLEMING
and put Mr.. Corr into the gubernatorlal
chair.
The Democrats OF West Virginia have al
ready shown that they are not easily alarmed
There are 6rst.class lawyers In that state'
Tbsy have taught the people what their
rights are under the Federal Constitution
aud, knowing their rights, the people VIII
dare to mainiaia them. They will stand
upon the Constitution, and Mr.. HARRISON
viii stand with them. That Is 10 say, be Is
we'll scquainied with the Federal Constltu'
ton himself. and will have legal advisers
equally as we'll acquainted With 1t, and there
fore viii be compelled by stress OF pubic
OPINION to refuse TO carry out the programme
which 10 now being arranged for him by The
indictments, mslignants, and ignoramuses
Of the Republican party. Their plausible
scheme 10 Dust FLEMING and install G0FF Is
based upon the fact that as the new Governor
OF West Virginia will not take Office until
the 4th Of March, Mr.. HARRISON can be called
upon By Mr.. Corr for troops 10 play the role
played by General De TRoBRrAsD's troops 10
Louislsns In 1877.
o xrtl M
bsve "reckored without their host" They
have neglected to consult the Federal Con-
stitution. They forget that West Virginia
was q Ioysl" State throughout the war.
They lose sisht OF the fact that the days and
disgrsces OF reconstruction are over. Let us
read what the Federal Constitution says on
this point We quote
Article ~. section 4. "Tbe United States
shan gu .rantee to every State In this Union
republican form Of government, and shall
protect each OF them fron Invasion; and on
application OF the legislature, or OF the Ex-
eeutive (tcken the Legislature cennot be con-
cer,cd1. against domestic vloleuce."
The Constitution OF West Virginia pro-
yldes that a regular session of the Legislature
shall continue for only forty five days from
the first Wednesday IN January. The pres
ent session Of the Legislature will therefore
come TO an end before the Ah OF March.
But the present Governor CIVILIAN l.. WILL
eoN) will be In office until that time, and can
convene the Legislature in extra session on
the Sd OF March. Then GoFF, even II he
were Governor, could no longer rely upon
the strsng arm OF the Federal Government
10 install him. But he cannot perfect bis
title to the Office. The same Legislature that
will declare FLEMING 10 be the lawful Gsv-
ernor Will be intrusted with the duty OF pro-
tecting tho people Of West Virginia "from
domestic violence.v "When the Legislature
cannot be convened" the President OF the
United States may hearken to the call OF a
Governor or a pretended Governor; but
when the Legislature can be convened the
President Of the United States must respect
the voice OF the Legislature.
We do not know what will be the result oil
She count now going on in the West Vlr-
giuia Legislature. That body may tind that
Corr was elected. and, 30 finding, may 40
declare. II may dnd that FLEMING wa:
elected. But whether II instalis FLEMING OF
GoFF, Mr.. HARRISON will net interfere. To
do so would DO TO set = precedent which he
would no, dare to be responsible for. He Is
conservative by nature.