The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-11-29

Hepublcsn Disrsgard Tor Law and Con-
stitutionai Requirements.
The Republicans are showing thcil
customary disregard for law and consti-
tutional requirements in Montana. Ex-
perience and warnings seem 70 be
thrown away spon them. for they should
know by this time that the wrath OF the
people over suck . gross violation Of
law and justice will DO like consuming
lightning TO the party when next they
are heard from 1t the polls. The issue
Of illegal certificates for members OF the
Legislature by tho Republican State
Board Of Canvassers strikes at the very
foundation % constitutional rights. The
new State will have two Legislatures.
one appointed BY the State board. and
the osher duly certified to by the county
clerks Of the various counties. The
history Of the Republican conspiracy in
Montana Is one Of the foulcst in the an
nails Of politics. by the use Of fraudu-
lent ailidavits the conspirators. At the
head Of whom Is the Presidents an,
sought TO subvcrt the will OF the people.
The court decided in favor Of the Dem
ocrats, and the Republican State
Board disrcgarded the decision OF
the courts and went behind the returns.
There Is not particle Of justi-
fication on the part OF any canvassing
board TO reject properly certified returns,
but the Republicans did not hesitate to
do so. The Democratic Governor. about
whose election there is no question. will
only recognize the members OF the Leg
islature who bear certificates from the
county clerks. authorized by law to issue
the same. The functions OF the Repub-
lican State Board OF Canvassers are
purely clerical under the law, but they
have made them judicial.
1t is an unblushing attempt at fraud
on the part Of the Republicans. and il
will cost them dear, not only in Mon
tana. but in other States. They are
provoking an uprising Of the people in
defense Of law and Justice that will
sweep them out OF official existence.
The most disgraceful feature OF the sit
uation is the prominent part taken BY
the Presidents son in the outrage, and
the encouragement the conspiracy has
received from the White House. He has
his heart set upon being United States
Senator from Montana. and has left no
means untricd to gain tine object of his
ambition. He managed to stock all the
Federal Offices in Montana with his per-
sonal friends, and he prevailed on his
father to delay issuing . proclamation
declaring the Territory State OF
the Union The conspiracy can not
succeed. 1t Is 50 monstrous and in
defensible and Is in such plain viola
ton OF law that the Indignation OF the
people throughout the country will be
too powerful. even for . Republican
Congress to brave. The conseq uences
Of the fraud Of 1876 should have warned
the Republicans against any attempt to
subvert the will Of the people. The
lesson OF tho recent election should
teach them that they have no strong
hold they can claim their own against
any assault when the people rise up In
their majesty to rebuke them. Congress
should take early measures to remove
this disgrace, this prostitution Of the
powers Of the Government for the pur-
pose Of enabling the Presidents son 70
getinto the United States Senate through
fraud There should be . searching in
vestigation OF these doings Of Russell
Harrison and his father. There are
many Republican Senators who are
aggrieved against the Administration
and are ready to pay of old scores when
Congress meets. They could not have a
better opportunity than in laying bare
this Montana infamy and the share the
Harrisons have had in it. They will GER
tainly serve their party best by repudi-
ating this outrageous violation Of law
and making the Harrisons smart for q
ALBANY IN. ~ Argus.