The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-02-07
Ridiculous
PROGRESSIVE EUCHRE GAME
Now Being Played by the Bare
Democratic Majority ut
Charleston.
THE Various Steps Taken as their
Understanding Of the
Constitution.
ASHAMED VI IHEMSELYb,
They Realize the Rankness of
Their Inconsistent and
Unfair Position.
Several Positions in tho Farce, Each
Dlagrcclug with tho Last-Julge
Ferguson CglllcIseS Ills Party's
Couduct-rlIC Reading Of
Returns StOppeG-Tho
Memorable Debate
In Detail.
ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES.

S.c,al pbla'cI to @c IuiclligNeer.
CuArLr,roS, W, VA, Feb. Ono re-
turns were read in joint assembly to-
day, Lust nights Democratic caucus
decided on another move in the Demo-
cratic game Of progressive euchre, by
which General GolT and the majority Of
the voters Of West Virginia are to be
euchred out Of the Governorship, They
had decided that they would read the
returns, but not LII them go on record,
arguing with all tho force they could
command that this was eternally right.
This morning they came in fresh from
last nights caucus and argued with
equal pcristrncy that to read the re-
turns at all when these returns are at-
tackled would be cternally wrong. So
this court, us the Democrats insist 1t is,
reversed itself completely on q PROPOSE
ton for which it contended with all the
strength OF its bare majority, and which,
II declared, embodied It's view OF the
Constitution It is sworn to support.
The later view of the constitutional
duty will doubtless be held rs sacred,
Before they reached this sacred view
they offered, through Senator oxley, an.
other view just as sacred and they stuck
to it all the morning until they were
about to dissolve this court and become
once more mere partisan body to ballot
for United States Senator.
DEMOCRATS ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES.
The Republicans had made them thor
Oughly ashamed OF themselves, and
doubt was entertained on the Demo.
cratic side whether every Democrat
there would be willing TO vote for so
palpably unfair u proposition us that re-
turns challenged by Judge Fleming
should not be read, while the reading of
the returns attacked by General GoiT
should 90 on as heretofore. Tho jug.
handled resolution was quickly with.
drawn, and the leaders were so ashamed
Of ii that they sent in haste to the two
evening newspapers, both Democratic,
areQuest, yerylikea n command, that they
omit the resolution from their columns.
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.
Later in the day when a request was
made 10 be allowed to see the resolution
1t could not be found. Senator Oxley
explains that he did not prepare the
resolution and that before it had gone
far he realized the uniairness Of It. It
certainly is n fact that the leaders real
lied how rank n thing 1t was and how
unlayorabe would be its reception by
the people Of the State. Tho resolution
substituted for the resolution with
drawn makes II wondrous show OF fair.
ness! 1t places Judge Fleming and
General Golf on an equality where they
were before tue election, and have not
been since the returns on their face gave
GoiI majority, This again is the Dem.
oc'atlc idea Of the Constitution and fair
pIay-that the returns shall not DO read
aalI where they are attacked.
How IT WOULD WORK.
II the Republicans had but entered
notice OIL contest against every Demo.
cFaS elected on the face Of tho returns to
a State office there would, under this
programme, be an interesting situation,
MOTTO bc relieved until the determine.
lion OF the contest Tho Prohibition or
Tue Labor party, which cut no figure in
!he election, could have accomplished q
IKE result Tho Democrats have felt
,he'f wayamong themselves continuous.
y anu gradually. Here arc tho steps
III Their progressive cuChre.
l. The result shall not be declared.
y The returns shall not DO published.
d The returns shall bo read but not
entered on the journal.
= The returns, when attacked, shall
not be read ut all.
., IrendInE) The returns thus far
read shall be considered as not having
been read. ''' '''''"S
Each QUE Of these steps has been taken
% SMe Democratic understanding Of the
Constitution.
ni ha'.l las been taken rs tho only right
a'hElo do. Each has boon taken while
'n' Republican side was assured tl,ut
"o Unfair advantage wOs desired,
POWER or THE rAlrY LASH,
wy view Of tho Democratic inton.
NOn 70 count out General GoT was based
M" ~" 70 U'seu on Tic steady voting Of the
Democratic side and tho utter diSrc.
Sl'd Tor the fundamental law shown III
every vote, II the Democratic leader
Su At llnt proposed 10 do tho thinu
I'nC Today not half the followers could
"NS @ O'cn made to stand up to theII
work. By line upon line aud preccpl
upon preccpt inStlllCd with the pAtt,
,S''' the force is now 40 disciplined lba
IKE an army Of hardened veterans /
Soe' lorwatd at tho word Of command L
SSa,.y' ".nI,,, each day new victory over III,
'On'u'u'ion aud the people.
'S'iScERE PROFESSIONS.
-. 'ae'O were In tho beginning as thor,
~" @C now protests Of Tie subllmrst hon