The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-01-05
THE CONTEST IN WEST VIRGINIA,

Au Eastern View of the situation in this
Baltimore ArFiean
Seldom in tho legislative history Of
any country have the law.making bodies
been SO evenly divided between contend
ing parties as will be the Filty.6Bt Con-
gress. Tho United States Senate, II the
Delaware Legislature elects a Republl-
can, will, with all present, have two Re-
publican majority, which will be en-
iarged to four II the Legislature which
meets in West Virginia next week also
chooses a Republican, The House OF
Representatives, II all the Republicans
who are conceded TO be entitled TO certi-
fcates are given them, will have Re.
publican majority Of seven or eight; but
| It Is already authoritatively minated
that two at least In West Virginia will
BIO deprived OF this evidence Of their
election, and the people will thus be de-
1 irauded OF their rights.
Though the Delaware Legislature on
Joint ballot Is close, a Republican Sena-
Y torwill almost certainly be chosen, thus
placing the Senate safely In the hands oil
\ tho Republicans. The Senatorial con-
test in West Virginia, however, ID more
complicated. General Golf has been
elected Governor Of that State by u clear
majority, but the Democrats being una
bleto count him out through fraudulent
returns, court processes or any Of the
many devices known TO those skilled In
the election machinery, have deter.
mined, II possible, to accomplish Their
object hy means Of the Legislature. The
people OF Maryland are tamiliarwith the
\ noti,ts Operandi OF q gubernatotial con-
test In a partisan Legislature; but us the
Democrats claim the West Virginia
i Legislature on joint ballot by majority
Of only one, and there are, several blttel
factions in tho party, each Of which
would almost prefer the SUCCESS Of =
Republican to the election ol u rIvaI
Democrat, there may possibly he u
chance Of Republican triumph, IN spite
Of the bare.iaced fraud rcsOrted to tc
overcome the Republican majority IL
the State. Should the gubcrnatofia
contest DO decided In favor Of Col, the
Senatorship would probably go " Tic
same party, and Mr.. kenna would DC
succeeded by Republican, thus giving
four majority TO the Republicans IN the
United States Senate.
General Harrison on New Years night
declared in aspeeCh to some war veterans
that the only menace to our institutions
was the suppression OF q free and fail
hnIInt uo NAV mt haye had West
Virginia In his mind, probably did not
MS, unfortunately, there are TOO many
palpable reasons In other portions Of the
South for warning the people OF the dan
gers which threaten them, but the Ian.
image Of tho President-eleCt finds direct
Implication in that state. The will Of the
people has been deaently ignored, the
method provided by the Constitution for
oreatinrthe government Inadean opkery,
and tic ambition OF selfish politicians
substituted. 80,
No ilypocritical cant concerning brib.
cry at elections cail obscure recent
events in West Virginia. Bribery IS an
insidious evil which has always existed,
and it Is probably on the increase, but
hunters do not trouble themsely yes about
mosuuito. bites when face to face with
n maIdened wildbeast. SO long as the
boldest and most open attacks on the
freedom Of the ballot go unrebuked,
nay, are actually acquiesced in by the
neople thus deifauded, 1t Is absurd to
Woke around for minor Ill which shuns
Inc light Of day. President-eleCt Harri-
son doubtless included in his denuncia-
tion all sorts OF attaekS on the freedom
ofthe ballot, hut, like the statesman that
he IL. lie made particular reference 70
tSe arrogant disregard Of popular rightEg
which prevails in the South, and which
il persisted ia and condoned by the
great body OF voters, must ineyltaOly re-
suit in the destruction Of popular gov
prnlnent.