The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-02-16
GOFF'S RIGHTS AS GOVERNOR
They We're Conferred by the Voters of
West Virginia at the BallOt-BOxes,
And Must Not Be Nullifed by the Arbitrary
Action of the Democratic Speaker of the
House-Yesterday's Ballot for Senator.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Speclai 10 the Indianapolis journal.
WHEELING, w. Va, Feb. 15.-The State
convention of the Republican League
clubs, held in Parkersburg to-day was one
of the largest meetings ever held in the
State. Over four hundred delegates were
present, and great enthusiasm prevailed.
The fact that some action was to be taken
with regard to the political situation at
Charleston lent additional interest to the
occasion. The meeting was called to order
by President Shinn, and the proceedings
throughout were very interesting. The
following telegram was sent to President
elect Harrison:
The Republican League Of West Virginia, now
In session, sends greeting and pledges the elect
oral vote Of West Virginia to your Republican
successor.
The following was also ordered to be sent
to General Golf:
The Republican State League takee this first
opportunity to congratulate you upon your
and We pIedse 1ou RepnScap 81 snccessor ps oraiu' M
1892 by majority that cannot be wiped out by
a majority Of one.
Congratulatory greetings were also Or
dered sent to all the West Vii ginia Repub-
Hcan Congressmen-elect. Following is the
report OF the committee on resolutions:
the magnificent vote given In favor OF honest
government and the triumphant election of our
and we hereby renew cur fealty and deyo,
ton to the principles of the Republican
party and pledge ourselves to use al honest
means to secure the fruits OF the victory won at
the polls. Hon. Nathan Goff, having been duly
elected Governor of this State at the election
held on the 9th day of November, 1888, and the
,spfcers of the state, whose duty it is under the
law, to certify the same and the Speaker of the
House OF Delegates having refused, in the face
the Constitution Of the State, to open
and publish said returns, Thus seeking
in defiance of law and public decency. to
gain for his party, by fraud and violence, what
1t lost at the polls; therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of thisleague that
Speaker of the House of Delegates cannot over
ride or nullify the legally-expressed will of the
people; that the right to hold the office of Gov
ernOr is conferred by the people at the polls and
not by the Speaker of the House or the joint as
sembly of both houses, and that this right con-
ferred by the people upon General Gof is
coupled with the obligation to perform the du-
ties thereof; and it is, therefore,
Resolved, That it is the of this league that
Hon. Nathan Goffshould, on the4th day of March
next, qualify and assume the duties OF the office
of Governor; that the fact that his right to hold
the same is contested by man whose strongest
plea is that he did not get votes enough, and the
pretense OF illegal Republican votes, does not
Impair his right or duty to hold the office until
removed by the sentence of the court created by
the constitution 10 determine sucn cases, and In
the manner prescribed by law. Common de-
to dictate that this great shame which
is sought to be brought upon the State, should at
least be deferred until the form of law is CON-
piled with.
Resolved, That we deprecate and condemn
Governor Wilson's disregard of law, as exhibited
by his failure to issue certificates of election to
Hons. @. b. Smith and j. III. McGinnis for Con-
sress, and issuing a certificate to John o. Pendle-
ton, whose defeat at the polls was notorious, and
whose majority, on the face Of the returns. was
obtained by gross and shameless frauds, and
forgery.
We appeal to fair-minded men of all political
affiliations whose regard for the fundamental
law is greater than partisan bias, to protest
against the Democratic assaults i'm our Legisla-
ttlre upon the very life OF civil law.