The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-03-16
The West Virginia GovernOrship


Baltimore sun of Wednesday.
Tn the rubernatorial mandamus case of
Golf VS.. Wilson the Supreme Court of West
Virginia Yesterday decided that Gen. Gotf Is
not entitled to the seat on the ground that the
returns were not declared by the Legislature:
The decision is what was generally expected
and seems the proper one. The Legislature
having failed to canvass and declare the re
suit of the election for Governor, Gen. Gotf
claim to the place and his swearing into office
was proceeding not justified by law or usage.
Gov. Wilson was bound by his oath and the
constitution Of the State to hold over until his
successor could legally qualify, and that con
dition of affairs did not exist when Gen. Con
appeared at the executive chamber and claim
ed the Office. The fight will now be between
Gov. Wilson and Mr.. Carr, President of the
Senate, on a QUO warranto proceeding, but
the claims of Carr are generally conceded to
be even weaker than those of Golf. The his
tory of this triangular fight commenced with
the balloting in November last. Ii IN proof
that large amount was expended IN order to
''revoutiouizen the politics of West Virginia
and place it in the Republican column. Be.
fore the result in half dozen counties had
become known Gen. Golf and his friends set
up claim for his election, and this was in-
sisted upon at all times and upon all occa-
sions. The full returns showed an apparent
majority Of one hundred and ten for Gen.
Golf; but, says dispatch, evidences Of
fraud and the corrupt use Of money were so
persistently brought to the attention OF the
Democratic State committee and the Demo
cratic candidate, Judge Fleming, that 1t was
apparent there ought to be an investigation
Of the whole question. After the assembling
of the Legislature these evidences of corrup
ton multiplied, and when the time came for
the publication of the returns OF the election,
previously filed in the office of the secretary
Of State, the joint assembly of both houses
directed that the vote for Governor should be
omitted, and created a special joint com
mittee of two from the Senate and three from
the House to make thorough investigation
of the whole matter. This disposition of the
matter did not suit the Republicans, and not
content to submit their case to the Legisa-
ture, although Judge Fleming, in his formal
notice of contest, admitted his Republican
competitor had on the face of the returns the
majority of 10 he claimed, thus voluntarily
putting the burden of proof upon himself,
Gen. Golf and his party decided to ignore the
whole matter" Asa consequence Gen. Coil
escorted by several hundred OF his political
friends, proceeded to the Capitol on the 4th
of March, where the General took the oath OF
Office before Republican official aud de-
mauded the possession of the archives OF the
State. which was refused by Gov. Wilson.
Hence the proceedings before the supreme
Court, which yesterday resulted IN the dis
comiture of Gen. Golf. In the meantime
Mr.. Robert Carr, the greenback labor Repuh.
Hcan Senator from Kauawha county, who had
been elected President of the Senate, also set
IN a claim for the governorship, which he
based on section 10 OF article Of the constr
tuition, which provides that In case OF the
death, conviction or impeachment, failure to
qualify, resignation, or other disability OF the
Governor, the President of the Senate shalt
act As Governor until the vacancy IS filed or
the disability removed He also was sworn
in on the Attn Of March, and now awaits a
decision in his quo wsrrauto proceeding.