New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-04
C. R. BRECKENRIDGE SCORED
TIE HOUSE COMMITTEE MAJORITY REPORT
DECLARES HIS SEAT VACANT
A REVIEW OF THE MURDERS AND BALLoT-Box
THEFTS IN THE ARKANSAS MEMBERS
DIsTRICT-A CONTEST NOT TO BE SET:

THEFTS IN THE ARKANSAS MEMBERS
DIsTRIcT-A CONTEST NOT TO BE SET:
TIED BY THE AssAssIN's BULLET.
Washington, Aug. 3.-Representative Lacey, Of
Iowa, has prepared for submission TO the House
the majority report of the Elections Committee
upon the Clayton -Brcckinrdge contested election
case and the murder of the Republican con
trstant. Commenting on Claytons murder. the
report says
The state and Nation were horried. Rewards
were offered and the community of Morrillton, near
which the murder occurred, passed appropriate re1o-
luons. but no earnest attempt to aid In bringing the
murderers TO justice has been made by the local
authorities The efforts Of the Governor have been
in vain Much OF the work done has been upon
mistaken idea and due weight has not been given to
the suspicion that should naturally attach to the
ballotbOX thieves.
Next. the report refers to the killing of Smith,
negro detective, who was investigating the
balot-box theft, and Of George Bentley, brother
Of O. r. Bentley, who suspected of being one
Of the thieves. George Bentley at the time was
negotiating with the Pinkertons TO give Govern
ment evidence and expose the guilty persons when
ne was said TO have been accidentally Shot by his
brother. The report says that there is no direct
evidence TO show any crimnality in the killing
of Bentley, but declares it unfortunate that these
two killings occurred while the men were about
70 give evidence to the Pinkerton detectives.
The theory that Claytons murder was due to
the cnmity of one Hooper is taken mp, and the
report says it clearly appears that Hooper was not
only in California when the murder occurred, out
i'll with dropsy. This theory, says the ma
iority, naturally pleasing TO the contestec
(Breckinridgc though the friends of Colonel Gay
ton naturally complained that so important
cew should have been concealed for ten months
from them ard only made known when the Con-
grcssonal investigation began.
The report says:
40 reasonable explanation Of tho murder appears
except that some OF the ballot-b0x thieves; nndlng
the taking of the testimony progressing, killed Colonel
clayton TO suppress the investigation No other
motive Is possible.
The necessity for the enactment of somo laws which
VIII prevent ballothox stealing and murder, from
comforting prma face title to seat in Congress
evident from the result In this contest Had such
laws been In force ss wonld have prevented the con
would have attempted to confer such title by stealing
the ballot box. Evidently ballotbox stealing was
looked upon as Joke IN that community untl ne
awful consequences that have resulted have appalled,
the good people Of the country.
deferred from taking tho step the crime II they
had rallied that murder wonld be the end fut they
Congress and one crime followed In The footsteps oi
tho other. The least guilty Of the criminals dar
MT oppose the moro guilty lest the fate Of Clayton
Thc mnlers q ncnqWnn ., WI dt3I, En2Tn Lte Ite
cor fr~riuc with local Republicans with rcarf 70
b.r.irg the ballot iox ti.cye, t. Justice, must be
VIII I'm lwn. f,r a lars, number 0t persons wcr
have been found urd'r the state election Laws for III"
ballot box crime, the murderer Of smith J., discmrt'd
without trii thc killing ~ ontlcv is not Investigated,
md fhe only man whose crime is punished i- Nahl.
t., FEDERAL supervisor who was indicted FOR playing
cart. when BE- wa, eHot.
The contention of Brcckinridge and his counsel
that the acquitta Of fnc judges and others charged
with frauds in this election should bind the
House and that this adjudication should be
oc.. tied by Concress proof that frnud@ @hl not
exist. the icport says. Is surprising. ana the
majority decline 10 be bound by the action of an
Arkansas jury in a criminal case. The report
also dISacrccs with other legal propositions
brought forward by counsel
In Cleveland County, one Dausby arrd says
the report and bringing TWO ShoiSuns. announced
his intention Of taking an active Interest IN the
procccdincs He was under tie influence OF liGuor.
Danshy Is a strong Democrat and partisan of
tie coutcsicc. His high connections, instead OF
being treated MS an ngsrayaton Of his gross viola
'ion Of both State and Federal law. is rather
urged as an excuse for shielding him from punish
mcut. For this offence Daushy was fined $500, a
portion of which fine was paid 10y tAc contcSier
That the nominee Of a great political party should
accept certificate Of election 10 a seat 10 which
he was clearly not elected and at The same time
yiolltor of the law. aud that such conduct should
not be- met with anything but commcndatlon and
approval 5y his political followers. shows stat"
Of disregard for the principles of popular govern
mcnt which may well MAKE the future Of the
country TO br looked upon with apprehension
That men may bc found lawcSs enough 10 COM
NIT these crime, is to De- dcplorcd but when men
Of high character and standing comp,accntly
avail themselves Of the fruit, of such crime, and
the control Of the National House of Representa-
tivcs Is made 10 turn upon such Methods II Il"
longer remains n mere matter of local concern.
but arises 10 the magnitude Of a national calamity.
TIE present case. continues the reoprt ms
attracted National attention, but not because II
stand, alone ~ a startling aad strlklns incident
of dangers ahead of our form of government In
the old daVS Of the code of honor, political an
tdgonistS often met face - face and eye I" eye
and sought their adversary = life. " ms m"thO3
Of settling political differences has become op-
solrir and we frequently congratulate ourselves
upon tie improved moral tone ot our DAY ana
generation. S1ys the report, In conclusion blI
never before has "a contest for a seat I'm congress
been terminated by the bullet Of an assassin.
If such methods are submitted 10 in silence. the
party benefited by the crime of his part sans
quietly and without dispute retaining the bone
would b. introduced into our form Of govern
mrnt.'
The resolution accompanying the report de-
clarcs the seat vacant.