Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-20
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 90. 1880
the west Virginia MIDDLE.

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The wheeling Intellgencer condemns
every day .be proceedings OF the Democrats
In the West VirginIa legislature. and mas
not besiiated 70 make threats that oughI
never TO have been INDUCED 10. Ii must nc
conceded that that Legislature had 10 grapple
with new problem. That the Republican
candidate for Governor was fraudulently
elected. II elected at all. there csn be little OF
no doubt. Anyhow the Democrats IN the
legislature believe that ibe number OF votes
frsuduently and corruptly cast for him was
FAR In excess OF the number OF votes con-
ttItuting bis majority as claimed by himself
and bis friends.
What was the duty OF the Legislature I'M
der these circumstances? Was II that body's
duty 10 make the fraud complete and eEec>
tivey Could the members Justify themselves
for becoming parties 10 fraud and cor
ruptiong Were they compelled 10 make n
precedent which would offer premium for
pwiudling and tnckery for fraudulent
voting and false countingy The State Con"
stiluiisn inside i, their duty TO open and
other business. How could they comply
with this requirement and also put the brand
OF fraud upon the pretended election OF
GoFP?
The Legislature will be forced 70 adjourn
this week. Tho current session cannot last
longer than forty.fve days without the con.
sent OF three fiitbs I'VE believe it is) Of the
members. But the Democrats have only :
small msiority. SO that II is impossible for
them 10 extend the session. II no Governor
be published" as elected G0FF will qualify.
80 II is said, and call upon President HARRI-
sov, who will take ofl,e'tne same day he
viii, TO sustain him in his claim.
Two years ago the Legislature Of West
Virginia adjourned without having elected a
United States senator, aud the Governor con-
Sened the body Ia extra scssion TO perform
that duty. We take /. for granted tia, Gov
erpor WILSON will convene the Legislature
again this year, aed at such date as will
insure It's being IN session at the time tbe
4,h OF March, when GoPF will play the part
which DORR, Of Rhode Island, played some
forty or more years ago.
We can hardly believe even now that the
Legislature Is going TO adjourn without
eleeting a United States senator or "pub-
fishing" the election OF Tire Governor. A
fearful responsibility rests upon that one
Democrat who withheld the one vote that was
needed TO elect Mr.. KEYNA United States
senator. But the duty OF the Democrats as to
the Governor is not so plain. The Wheeling
Intelligencer says
"Suppose that when IL came 10 opening
the vote and declaring the result Mr.. Cieye-
land's friends, being In the majority. had re-
fused TO allow the official vote To be heard or
seen, contending with all the force OF bare
msjority that Harrison shoald not take his
seat until Cleyelsnd's friends should have r
chance TO count Harrison out and Cleveland
IN. Whist would the people OF the United
States ssyf"
Well, isn't that exactly what the law OF the
United States provides fory II is as follows :
..In case objection l. made 10 any vote II
must be stated In writing clearly and con.
clsely without argument and signed by al
least one member OF each house before being
entertained. when the objection has betn
received the Senate shalt withdraw, and the
same be presented TO the two houses for their
determination. When but one return is
made from a State II shall not be rejected: In
case the State has decided which one Of the
two or more sets OF electors was legally
chosen, the two houses may determine, by
concurrent action, IL the decision was rightly
made aud the vote shall then be counted as
they agree; II the two houses disagree then
the vote OF the electors declared by the ex.
fcuffye of the State 10 be legally chosen shall
be counted"
SO the two houres OF Congress do decide
whether the vote OF State shall be counted
II II Is objected to in the proper manner. In
fact they take the liberty and the RESPONSE
bility OF deciding whether a States decision
Is right or wrong even after the State has
formally rendered the decision. The law
provides that "the Uote shall then be counted
az hey Qhe two houses, not the state,
oqree." Why hasn't the West Virginia Lee
glslature like powsrS