The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-13
WEST VIRGINIA POLITICS.
The Supreme Court Rules in Favor of the Dem.
Ocrats-The Case of District Attorney Watts.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WHEELING, w. Va, March 12-The news
of the decision Of the Supreme Court, TO the
fleet that General Golf has no right to
,erve as Governor pending the contest was
no surprise to the Republicans here. who re-
gard 1T as simply another act in the drama
entitled, The Democratic Conspiracy to
Steal State" Leading lawyers of both
parties who read the decision, as tele-
graphed. this afternoon, from Charleston,
say that it is grossly partisan and not
founded upon law. The case is by no means
settled in favor of the Democratic position.
PRESIDENT Carr. of the State Senate, it
is thought, will be declared by
the court as having the legal
right to hold the Governors chair until the
contest is decided. 1t is not thought that,
in this event, Carr will call an extra session
of the Legislature, but will hold the gov
ernorship until the next regular biennial
session. In the meantime the Republicans
confidently expect that they Will elect q
Republican Legislature, before which the
final contest for the governorship will
come, and Golf will be given the seat. 1t
will be remembered that Carr, notwith-
standing his independent course, was elect
ed as Republican, and has shown through
out sympathy for the Republican side.
Those who stand close to him assert that if
the court declares him entitled to serve as
Governor he will Immediately issue certifi-
Gates of election to three Republican candi-
dates for Congress who had maiorities
on the face of the returns, to whom Gov.
Wilson refused certificates.
Dispatches sent out from this city last
rio fl
that "the people" condemned the Presi-
dents action in the case or United States
Attorney Watts. Quite the contrary is the
case. Many respectable Democrats in the
State have expressed disgust with Watts's
gross abuse of his office, and were not
angry when he was asked for his resigna-
ton. He was one of the leaders in the per-
petratiOn of the high-handed outrages that
have occurred IN West Virginia during the
the run of events in the State are
highly amused at the language of
his letter to Attorner-general Miller,
in which he says he knows of no
filed against him are of the most serious
nature. Among them is the allegation,
which is capable of sworn proof, that dur
ing the recent session of the United States
Court at Parkersburg he used all possible
frauds, while 1T is notorious that he refused
to allow Republicans to go before the grand
jury to lndlct Democrats for Offenses against
the election laws. In one instance, ono
Wells. Democratic boodler was indicted
four times. Wells heard of the matter,
presumably through Attorney Watts's
office, and was permitted to send
representatives before the grand jury,
which body, being almost solidly Demo-
cratic, agreed to reconsider the cases. The
result was that the indictments against
Wells were not reported. This is only q
sample of the manner in which Watts has
and the Presidents action in removing him
was in response to a general demand from
respectable citizens who were cognizant of
these facts and other official acts of similar
character.