Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-30
WASHlNGTONlANA.
Coming Election Contests-Probsb1y An
other Political Cause CcIebre.
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IBy teleRrepn ID ths DlspaLD.l
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. December 29.-Mr.
Rowell, chairman Of the House Committee
on Elections, intends during the month OF
January to secure if possible final action
by the House on all remaining undecided
election contests. One contest only re-
mains TO be dealt with by the CON-
mittee-that of Eaton rs. Phelan,
from the Memphis (Tenn.) district.
Though no action has been taken on this
case there is a general and 20 all appear
ances well-founded impression that ma
jority Of the committee Will report IN
favor OF seating the contestant, Eaton.
Several attempts were made last Septem-
Der TO get the case out OF committee. but
they were frustrated each time by the abb
sence OF Republican members and the re-
fusal Of Democrats 20 attend committee
meetings and make up the necessary
quorum. Phelan. on the face of the re-
turns. has an apparent majority Of about
5000. but Eaton has conducted his contest
in an unusually methodicA and careful
manner, and, 1t is asserted by Republican
members of the committee, has made out
a good case Notwithstanding the large ma
jOTity Of his opponent.
When this case is disposed of the CON-
mittees work will be finished. Five cases
will then be on the calendar for final action
by the House. In two Of these cases the
right Of the Democratic sitting member 10
his seat IS conceded by Republicans and
Democrats alike and no struggle will occur
over them. In the other cases warm
fight is expected, and il has been for this
reason that they have not been yet
called up. The cases in question, ex-
elusive of the Phelan contest. are
those Of McGinnls against Anderson, from
West Virginia, and Goodrich against
Bullock, from Florida. Ii was deemed
inexpedient to call up any matters which
would create bitter strife early III this ses-
sion, when there was a prospect of this
strife having "A reflective effect upon the
apportionmept bill and some other mea-
sures OF importance, but so soon as party
policy viii permit 1t is purposed TO clean
up the elections docket. 40 that when this
Congress expires completed record will
have been made.
The Washington St1r this evening prints
the following:
The killing Of John Prentiss Matthews.
the postmaster at Carrollton, Miss. by
young Mcbride win probably turn ont 10
be a cause cSttrs. Matthews was shot down
on the street BY Mcbride. A Star reporter
Yesterday saw Mr.. J. NJ. Matthews, OF Mis-
sissippi, who was tho Republican candidate
for Congress against General Hooker at
the last election, and who is also brother
of the dead man.
Mr. Matthews had inst received the fol.
lowing telegram from Carroliton: " John
was murdered by a mob. He had been
notified by a dozen men that a mob wa
going 20 kill him riAOt day. He saw the men
with their guns and he got rifle. When
he did this the Sheriff arrested him and
placed him undoT bonds. John pointed
three men out 30 the Sheriff and
asked him 20 arrest them and
protect his life. Tho Sheriff refused.
Ii was a plot and all were in IT, John
told Lloyd ga young man working for him
he thought they would kill him before
night. He stayed at the post-office until
his second dinnor-bell rang, when he said
not 20 go. but ho said he would. When
he reached the hotel steps Mcbride, who
was still i'll the drugstore, shot him
down with a shotgun. killing him in
stantly Not satisfied with th,s. McBride
fired five shots at ham from "A ravolver after
he was dead. The mob then began dancing
and shouting around the body with the
most vile abuse and curses. John had re-
cciFed several anonymous letters telling
him he must leave thetown. The murderer
goes free, and ali because they must have
the post-ofiice at CarrQllton."
My brother" said Mr. Matthews, was
only twenty-one years old. He was a
bright. intelligent boy. He was appointed
postmaster several months ago at Car
rollton and while there have been
number of threats at his life
did not think ANYTHING would
come Of it, He was the first Republican
postmaster TO take the Carrollton Office for
many years, and it was freely said that no
Republican should hold the Office. Car
rollton is Senator Georges home"
Mr. Matthews. the dead man, comes Of
an old family in Mississippi. In 1888 his
father was shot down by a mob at Hazel
hurst. Miss.