The morning call., 1890-08-04
A VACANT SEAT.
The Clayton-Breckinridge Con-
tested Election.
Salient Points and Recommendations Of
the Congressional Committee.
Ballot-BOX Stealing and Political ASSaSSila.
tlOn Vigorously DenOunCad-The River
and HarbOr Bill.
Special Dispatches TO THE MoRsrse CALI.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 3-Representative
Lacey Of Iowa has prepared for submission
to the House the majority report Of the
Elections Committee upon the Clayton
Breckenridge contested election case, and
the murder of the Republican contestant.
Commenting on Clayton's murder, the re-
port says: Rewards were offered and the
community of Monillton passed appropriate
resolutions, but no earnest attempt to bring
the murderers to justice have been made by
the local authorities. and the efforts of the
Governor have been in vain"
Next the report refers to the killing of
Smith, negro detective who was investi-
eating the balot-box theft, and George
Bentley, brother of T. Bentley, who was
suspected of being one of the thieves.
George Bentley at the time was negotiating
with the PinkertOns to give evidence and
expose the guilty parties, when he was said
to have been accidentally shot by his
brother. The report says there is no direct
evidence 10 show any Criminality in the
killing of Bentley, but declares il unfortu-
nate that these two killings occurred while
the men were about to give evidence 10 the
detectives.
The theory that Clayton's murder was
due to the enmity Of one Hooper is taken
mp, and the report says it clearly appears
that Hooper was not only in California
when the murder occurred, but was i'll with
disease. This theory" says the majority,
was naturally pleasing to the contestee
(Breckinridse). though the friends of Col.
Clayton very naturally complained that
so important clew should have been con-
cealed for ten months from them, and only
made known when the Congressional in
vestigatlon began" The report, continu-
ing, says:
pears. except that some OF the ballol-box thieves.
hnding the taking Of testimony progressing.
Killed Clayton TO suppress tile Investigation. No
other motive is possible The necessity OF the
enactment of laws which will prevent ballOt-bOx
stealing. and murder from comforting prime
facie title TO seat In Congress, Is evident from
the result OF this contest. Had such laws been
In force as would lave prevented the cOntestee
from taking his seat with such lille, no one
would alIr mpt TO confer such Title by stealing
ballOl-box. Evidently ballot-box stealing WAS
looh ed upon as a joke IN that county, until the
awful consequences that resulted appalled, the
good people Oi lie country. No doubt some OF
these men would have been deferred from taR ing
the hrs, step Id the crime If they had realized
that murder would be lhe end but they crossed
tLeir rubicon. BrecKinrldge got seat In Con-
gIcss, and one crime followed In the footsteps of
The other The least guilty OF the criminals does
Clayton should overtake them.
The murderers OF Benjamin, the well-known
Little Rock Republican, who was killed while
eoEferlipg with local Republicans with regard 10
bringing The ballot-b0x thieves TO justice, must
be well known, for large number OF persons
were present, but they were not indicted and no
indictments have been found under tie State
election laws for baOt-DoX stealing. / lie nlur-
derer OF smith was discharged without a trial.
The killing OF Bentley was not Investigated and
the only man whose crime was punished is " ahl,
Federal Supervisor, who was Indicted for play
Ing cards when lie was shot. That men could be
found lawless enough TO commit these crimes is
10 be deplOred. but when men of high character
and standing c0mpacently avail themselves OF The
fruits OF such crimes, and the control OF The Ma
tional House of Representatives is made to turn
upon such methods il no longer remains matter
OF local concern, but arises to the magnitude Of
national calamity.
The present case has attracted national atten-
tion. Never before has The contest FOR seat in
Congress been terminated by lbe bullet Of the
assassin. If such methods are submitted to IN
silence, the party benefited by the chine of his
paitisans, quietly and without dispute retaining
the benefits OF The death OF his competitor. a new
element would lie mt oduced into our form of
government.
A resolution accompanying the report de-
clareS the seat vacant.