Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-08
THE GUBERsAToKiAL CONTEST
In the Joint Assembly Of west vir-
ginta-No Change in tue sena-
forfai Condition.
Special telegram to Tho Dlspa.ch.i


CHARLESTON. ". Va. February This
morning IN the Joint assembly senator Flour
nov offered the following. which WAS
adopted by vote Of Al 10 40:
Resolved, That II is bereby declared as the
opinion and DECISION Of this joint assembly
that the mere rrading OF the returns Of the
election ~ Governor slready opened shall not
be construed TO give either the Hon. y. Goa
or the Hon. A. b. Fleming any claim or right
10 the Office OF Governor, and that all of the
returns of the said election shall be referred
without reading any Oi the returns not yet
opened 30 the ioi committee provided by
law relating to contests for the odlce of Gov.
eruor, and he hereafter considered sud have
effect as Il none Of The said return, had been
read.
Immediately upon the vote being declared
senator Morris offered resolution setting
forth that whereas the Constitution provides
thai the returns 0i every election for state
officers be sent 10 the sneaker. who shall
irnmcdiltely after the organization of the
House. and before proceeding 70 business,
open and publish the same, and that tue per.
son having received the highest number OF
votes shall be declared elected 10 that
office. and that inaSmuch before 40
proceeding the Joint assembly proceeded
Joint assembly the petition ot 4. r. Fleming
contestiug the right oi Nathan Coz. the said
GoG having been duly elected. together
with other psper', snd CONTINUED said hu'i-
ness by referring such matters 10 a Joint
committee hereafter 10 he appointed. and
further continued said business ~ adopting
resolution 10 the effect that the publish
ing and declaring oi the vote Tor Governor
be suspended until the contest hat been
delded. and furtb-r continued such business
from dav 20 dav in violation of thc Consu-
tuition by adopting various resolutions; ana
that whereas by this course tn Democratic
members have proceeded In direct oppos.
ton 10 tho Con.tituiion and hayc IN this re.
Yoiut0nsry ard unconstitutional manner
prevented the opening and Furnishing ~
said returns for Governor aad have pre-
vented the constitutional and ANfl
declaration OF the true result ~ lhe
facts OF The returns, tuat, therefore, We
most solemny protest IN tie name ~
toe constitutional rights oi the peop e
against the unconstitutional and revolution
Ary proceedings ~ the Democratic majority,
and that we protest against these proceedings
because they deprive the people oi tne state
% their lnalcnaple rights and tend e. pro-
duce anarchy and confusion I'm the state (;
sud that, further, we protest because tney
seek 90 geprlyato Nathan COT, M the fice "
the returns, Of hs right 20 bold said office
during the pendency Of the contest against
! him.
It concluded with protest ln The name Of
| the people oi the whole country who love
| liberty and believe in holding fast % order
and law. rhcy asked that tins be plrre1 on
! thc .Iourns. which the Democrats refused 10
/ allow. when the Republican members with
drew from the hill, leaving the Democrats
/ without quorum.
4, no JOINT ules had been adopted, there
/ was NO way Of having the runaway mem
| beis arrested and brought back. lloweys r.,
| tine opening oi the vote was proceeded with,
/ our 10 returns were found from Webster
county on Auorney.Generll. without
/ Them the Republican candidate has q mt.
| iority Of nearly 300. As the Assembly Na'
unanimously Democratic, there was no dill-
/ Guilty lu having the declaration OF thi, Yot,
/ postponed.
! lnaccurlcles were also folnd in ihc re-.
! turns trom Wood county, lHere being nl
/ return made or the vote cast Tor ihe Eepub
! lean candidate for Auditor. Two ballots
I for United States senator were taken to-d,'
without 10g change. kcnua roce.y0g p,
votes; COZ. 90 votes; Goshorn, votes, and
Preston, Wilson, and Herford, vote each.