The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-05-25

The arbitrary acton OF the kepNOlicai
majority in the present Congress has bcei
carried to such an extreme point that NJ
further step which il can take, however re
pugnant 10 fairness, or however opposed L
truth, can raise even passing emotion o
surprise. II might have been supposed
that the deliberate attempt Of Speaker Reed
as the representative Of his party TO govern
the proceedings Of the House without the
adoption Of rules for its guidance, was as
iyranncal course of conduct as could bt
pursued by those in control Of delibera-
tive body; but wholly unjustitiable as this
was, il has been surpassed by the out
rageous unseating Of Democratic members
in order TO secure good working majority
for the Republicans.
Anticipating that the margin which they
have so far allowed themselves, will not be
sufficient TO carry through the national cleo
ton measure. to which there is some oppO-
siton in the Republican ranks, it is now
proposed by Reed and his associates 10 take
up the contested election cases again, and
TO unseat such large number of Demo
Gratis that hereafter there will be nothing to
obstruct the passage of any bill which may
be placed upon the calendar OF the House
by the Republican members for partisan
purposes. The first movement in this
direction has already been made, the
Committee on Elections, by the vote
Of the Republican majority, having
reported In favor Of turning over the seat
now occupied by Mr.. Nenable TO
the notorious negro Lansston. This
decision Of the Republican members of the
committee is based substantially on the
simple fact that the negroes are largely in
excess Of the white population in Mr.. Ven
able's district. In other words, the census
test, irrespective Of the actual character of
the voting, has been applied in this in
stance, in accordance with the Republican
determination announced sometime ago,
and precisely the same application is to be
made in General Catchihgs district in Mis-
sssippi. the contestant of his seat being
also negro, and the negro inhabitants
constituting very large majority Of the
people Of that district.
There is no member Of the present House
OF Representatives who is more justly en-
titled 10 his seat than Mr.. Nenable. The
canvass which he made was memorable for
the activity aud ability exhibited by him.
and the result was acknowledged by ali
who were familiar with the circumstances
OF the case 20 have been secured by the
fairesi and most open methods. so palpable,
indeed, was his right 10 his seat, that
il was generally admitted even by the
Republicans that IL would DO impOs-
s;ble 10 unseat him, however urgent
tie demand for larger Republican
majority In the House. And there is still |
some doubt, in spite Of the exigen-
cies Of the case in the opinion Of the Repub
lican leaders, as 10 whether sufficient
number Of Republican members can be
found who will vote in opposition TO his re-
IGNITION of his seat. II he is replaced by the
negro Langston, il will be in violation of
very dictate OF justice and fairness, but
his n exactly what is 10 be expected of the
otalIy interruptions party which Is now in
ortrol OF the House. II has neither con-
cience nor principle, wfne It's an-
scity and edrontery su'Pass the