Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-08-31
THE GOVERNOR OF A COMMITTEE
OF ONE.

If the Republicans would have had
majority on the legislative commit
tee on the gubernatorial contest, they
could have thrown out as many
votes for Fleming as the Democrats
threw out for Golf, and with as clear
a conscience. The committee has
nothing in law or justice to warrant
its action except its majority. Gen.
Golf rose above party and above
majorities when he submitted his
claims to methods of law and order,
for with majority on the face of the
returns he would have been justified
in demanding his seat and appealing
to higher tribunal than a party
majority of one in support of his
rights. He made mistake, political
ly, IN not doing so. He and his par
ty will be stronger in the end for re-
lying upon the constitution of the
State for the protection it guarantees
to every citizen; and its violation,
disregard and insult, and their con-
sequences hereafter, rest with the
blind and prejudiced politicians who
would risk their honor, their oath
and their reputation for trifling and
temporary party success.
With them,
Honor and shame from no condition
rise,
Act well your part toward your party.
THERE all the honor hes.
The State, its name, credit, law
and good order, are indicated by
the course of Gen. Golf and the Re-
publican party and the very parties
who disregarded the letter and spirit
of the State constitution on the
ground of fraud, now are forced to
bear witness that there was nothing
to Justify their violent course except
the political emergencies of their
party and the desperate greed of
their leaders.
In the mining districts the old
carpet. Dagger hostility was made
sufficient cause for throwing out
the votes OF miners. 1t is Demo.
cratic argument that men have no
right to vote simply because OF a
short term of residence justified by
law. The great sin is the original
sin against the Republican voter,-
the misfortune of his birth or at least
the place oft. The color hatred max.
es the crime objectionable. The plea
is on the general ground that the
miners employed in those counties
are negroes, that they were not citi-
zens of the state and that they voted
the republican ticket; that they IN.
dOubtedly voted the republican
ticket because, being negroes, it was
natural for them to do so. No frauds
on either side have been found, all
votes thrown out being upon tech
nicalities. They are votes of men
who thought they had a right to vote
and whose votes were received by
the Democratic judges of elections.
In many instances they were votes
of men who have been lifelong resi-
dents of the state, but through a
misunderstanding of new law fail
ed to vote in the proper precinct in
the county in which they reside
Among those thrown out was that of
ex.Collector of Internal Revenue
Dnval and many others of equal
prominence. In no case has inten-
tional fraud been shown.
If there is anything that should
unite every lover ofright and justice,
incite men to work and vote for a
party whose only crime was its mi
nority of one in the legislature, it is
this very action of a Democratic COM
mittee in counting Golf out by the
simple force and power of its MAORI
ty of one.