Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-02-06
FLEMING rs aoynnsoa.
Tho West Virginia Contest Settled
by Seating the Democrat.

came to a sudden end to-day.
The result was as Democrats had pre-
dicted from the first. Judge A. Il. Flem-
ing, the Democratic candidate, was de.
olared elected, and on Thuraday he will
assume the duties of his high position.
There have been two Democratic re-
oalcitrsnts In the last few days. Their
positions were that they were not salts
fed from the evidence that Fleming had
q majority, but they were Arm in their
intention not to vote for Goff. Had 1t
not been for these men vote would have
been taken on Saturday and the result
declared then. Longer time was given to
study the case, and last night both IN
nounoed their convictions that Fleming
at the election in November, 1883.
Besides the solid Democratic foreOs,
Carr, tho Independent upiou Labor sen.
ator, who hos always acted with the Re
publicans on political questions, declared
that he wRs convinced from the evidence
that shameless fraud bad been committed
in G0tf's bshslf, and to day he cast bis
yots for Fleming. On the final vote TO
declare FLEMING elected, the yeas we've 43
and the nays 40.
The contest, which has thus como to a
fortunate eud for the DeLdocratic party
in West Virginia, was the frst of the
kind in the history of the stats. 1t has
been q remarkable struggle from begin-
ming to end. The campaign OF 1888 vas
unsurEAs in bitterness in West Viz.
ginia. Tho Democratic party WAS spit
into no less than three digfinct factions
AS result Of the fight against tx Senator
Camden, and each was mora anxious to
fight The other factions than to oppose
the common foe. Republican money was
poured into the state like water. Quay
and Dudley gave large share OF their
distinguished attention to the state. O0e
block OF $50, 900 waH traced from the
National Republican committee into the
Kauawha valley. Th RspubIicAns nom
inated thoir riches; and most popular
leader, and fought desperate fight flo u
Beginning to end. When the smoke of
battle cleared away in other portions of
the country 1t atill hung over West Viz
Rinia. Not until six weeks after the cleo.
iion waE 1t finally learned who had pin.
rality on the face OF the returns. From
thsss it appeared that Con. GoiT had been
elected BY a maj arity of 1lO over Judge
Fleming.
Tho Democratic lepdera then for the
first time began to realize the character
OF tho fos they had been fighting. They
set IN Investigation on foot and i. resulted
in showing tho boldeBt debauchery OF the
ballot and corruption at the polls thai
was ever pYaoticed in any state OF thu
Union. The revelations OF fraud were
cleerest and most crushing 10 Mercer
Mcdowell, and Summers counties, whert
it appeared that large numbers o.
negroes, VINO had lately ooms from Vir
ginia and were employed temporarily il
mines and on railroads then ia course o.
construction, had voted the Republican
ticket. On the strength OF theee dis
cuyeries Judge Fleming, the Democrats
candidate, ineugurated contest, anG
went before the legislature With it.
In that body contest that will bt
memorable in the history of Wsst Vir
ginia occurred. The Republicans do
maDdsd that the returns be opened anC
GCf declared governor, pending the con
test. The Democrats opposed the prop
oeition. The secret Of the battle lay IN
the fact that GoH once seated, no powe
In the state could Gust him. The con
testant would be ut his mercy. For 81,
days in the joint Assembly the question
was discussed, and three times the he
publicRuB left the body in order TO bresl
q quorum. Finally the d moorAta won
At midnight, after session lasting i
hours, they opened the doors, but refuse,
to publish the result. In accordance wit
the law the committee OF three from tn,
House and two from the Senate WAS sp
pointed to Investigate the election an
try the contest.
The Ath OF March came before the com
Blittee had even met. On that day Co
proceeded to the state house, Sgure hin,
self in as governor, aud attempted t
Rshume the office, bat was refused posses
sion by Gov. Wilson, who held over dui
ing the contest. Carr, the president d
this Senate, also made y demand on Wiso
for the office, but WIS refused it. Bot
Carr aud GOd carried their cases TO th
supreme court aud were aeios.ed. The
the trial OF the contest before the leltslt
tive committee began. Fer II n1utt
tue communities heard arguments md rea
dispositions. From the frat the two III
publican members displayed purpose t
impede the investigation, but their effort
were Of no avail.
The report OF the COMMITTEES was con
pleted by December 18TH, and thea
appeared that the Republican member
intended to present u minority rspor
Governor Wilson called the legislature
meet on January 10Th, 1890, In order
receive the reports and psls upon thsu
The legislature mst on that day, IN
after a few days flIibu4teriug by til
Republicans the reports we're presented
The majority report showed glsriug Ii
publican frauds in tho state. II VI
proved that over iU0nOn resident negro
had voted for Guf in Msrcar and NJ
Dowell counties, and nearly $50 IN sur
mets county. In other portlula Of III
! state the fraud was equally shameless
+. though not 10 extensive. The minor
4 repert was simply 4 partisan and ahusi'
denial OF all charges of fraud. The "a
on tbs reports was argued nine days
the legislature Golf appeared and spoI
i g whole day for himself. The dahs
: closed on Friday last, aud to day the a
! ciAicn above given was arrived 81.
/ The contest has worked irreparat
. damage TO tho Republican party ia W.
r Virginia. 0of has become one OF (
| uNqt unpopular men III the state. Il
A Influences is ruined. The Democrat
u, party, on the other hand, he's bee eoli,
a het by the struggle. II il uUildd aa nsy
8 betcre.
:. TINE IUIF : DRIT- OOR.
= .
Thr TIe tn tne slUusa san a.
: EfoACta-No SenAiOrissl EaOcna NJ
: DIS licINEs Iowa Fsb. Indicate