Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-29
THURSDAY. ....AUGUST 20, 1889.
A Rncbcar.

Colonel MAYo's intimation or threat
that In the event OF the election OF Nc
KINNEY the Republicans would set up
new government in tins State and So
cure for il the protection Of the United
States Government by taking the matter
up 10 the Supreme Court OF the United
Siaies Will not deceive nor alarm the
most timid Democrat There are some
things which even a Republican Presi-
dent viii not dare 10 do. One OF these
things is to undertake 10 overthrow
State government.
II President HARRISON had been will
ing TO prostitute the powers OF his high
Office TO base partisan purposes he has
had a fine opportunity to do so ever
since NATHAN Corr set up the claim
that he was lawfully elected Governor OF
West Virginia last fall Ever since No
vembcr last Corr and his supporters
have declared that he was the rightful
Governor OF West Virginia. Ever
since the 4,h of March last Gov
eraor WILSON has been acting as
Governor only in virtue OF the pro-
vision in the Constitution of West Nir-
GINA which authorizes an incumbent to
continue in that Office until his success
sor is elected and qualified. Every Re
publican paper in West Virginin-and,
We presume, every Republican politician
there-professcs to believe that GoFF
was chosen Governor last year, and has
been kept out of Office 10y the wicked
Democrats" But holding that belief
and setting up a bogus government are
different things.
In West Virginia the negroes do not
constitute the bulk of the Republican
party. On the contrary, We suppose
that one third of the white men in that
State are Republicans. Mr.. GoRF would
have a highly respectable constituency if
he could induce all the Republican voters
in his State TO favor the scheme Of apply
ing to the President for troops to seat
him in the Executive chair.
Then look at the contrast between
MALONE aud Corr. The latter is a man
OF fine reputation. He was once Secre-
tary of the Navy of the United States.
Everybody has confidence in him. Who
has any confidence in MALONE? Why
the whole North would protest against
carrying out any such scheme as that
spoken of by Colonel MAYO. II is Ger
tain that the President will force Corr
into the Executive chair of West Vir-
gina before he will force MALONE into
the Executive chair OF Virginia.
The courts will not touch this ques-
ton. The only constitutional provision
which refers to it is Is follows:
Article ", section 4. 1.-The United
States shall guarantee to each State in
this Union republican form OF govern
ment and shall protect each OF them
against invasion and on application OF
the legislature, orof the Executive when
the Legislature cannot be conyened)
against domestic violence.
This is not new question. In 1871
ihe people Of Delaware became so dis
gusted with their state government that
a state convention to frame q constitu-
ton was held, the Constitution thus
formulated was submitted to popular
vote. and o majority of the adult male
citizens OF the State voted for its ratid-
cation. Nevertheless, the recognized
authorities OF tho State called upon the
President and he WAS compelled to stand
by Governor and Legislature elected
under . charter granted by CHARLES ii.
OF England in 1863.
Governor LRE is the Governor OF Nir-
pinia. He will continue to hold that Of
flee for nearly two months after the
election in November next. The Gov
ernor, the Judiciary, the Legislature, will
all recognize MckINNEY as Governor il
he is elected. Mr.. HARRISON aud the
Supreme Court VIII have nothing to do
with the matter.
On the other hand (which Heaven
forbid-MAHoSE and a MALONE Legisla-
ture should be elected, the Democrats
will make no attempt to keep the GOV
4 - L.