Evening journal., 1890-06-04
CONTESTED ELECTIONS.
Two Cases That Are at Present
Agita-.ng Congress.
SOUTH CAROLINA ELECTION LAWS

Tho House Committee's Chairman says
They Are unconstitutionaI-A Voter May
he Disfranchised FOR Failing 10 Register.
The Clayton -Iireclsinridge Case.
WAsHINGToN, June MIR. Rowell (Ills.).
the chairman Of the house committee on
elections, has completed the report of the
committee IN favor Of seating Miller (Re-
publicanl, who contested the seat Of Elliot
lDemocraD, the present member from the
seventh district Of South Carolina. The
report contains the sensational assertion
that the registration and election law Of
the state Of South Carolina is unconsttu-
tional, and grounds for this statement are
set forth a. length. Promising his orgu-
ment in this connection by showing that
the constitution Of the United States pro
vides that persons shall be disfranchised
Tor murder, treason or felony only, Mr.
Rowell synopsizes the South Carolina law,
which he claims is in direct opposition to
the federal constitution This law. it Is
stated, provides that any person who was
qualified to vote after the year 1881 aud
failed to register shall be forever disfran-
chsed. It is also provided that persons
who failed to register at the first election
after acquiring residence in the state and
persons who negotiated their registration
certificates for consideration also should
be disfranchised
Ballot Box Stumng Charged.
The report states that the committee did
not throw out votes in dispute because Of
the unconsttutionalityo Of the state election
law, however, but because Of ballot box
stuiiing, shifting of ballot boxes so as to
deceive the Republican voters, and other
alleged frauds, The committee decides
that according to the way of counting most
favorable to Elliot giving him the benefit
OF the doubts, Miller, the contestant. still
has a majority Of 55i votes, while, accord
ing to the strict legal method OF counting.
Miiler's majority is placed at l,44s
Mr. Wilson MOO will make minority
report for the Democratic members Of the
committee.
The Clayton Breekinridge Case.
The subcommittee Of the house com nit
tee on elections charged with investigating
the contested election case Of John NJ.
Clayton tdeeeasedl against Clifton II.
| breckenridge from Arkansas, heard arpu-
ment by ex-Attorney General Garland on
the application made by Mr.. Breckenridge
for the further hearing of testimony.
After Mr.. Garland had finished the com.
mittee decided that il could not hear the
large number Of witnesses that MIR. Breck,
inridge asked TO have called because full
opportunity had been given for hearing
their testimony while the subcommittee,
was ~ Arkansas and because as the cas-,
had been closed with the consent Of th,
contestee there was no reason why IL should
be reopened. The subcommittee decided
however 20 allow Gen Powell Clayton and
Dr. Taylor, Of Arkansas, who are now in
Washington, and Mr. Breckenridge, Il
testify. Mr., Breckenridge requested that
several witnesses be Summoned from Cali
foruia 70 testify as 10 the theory that
Thomas Hooper killed Col. Clayton. but
This was overruled by the subcommittee
on the ground that these witnesses had
telegraphed full statements while the sub.
committee was in Arkansas.