New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-20
A NEAT DEMOCRATIC PLOT.
no DECLARE THOMAS B. REEDS SEAT
VACANT
SENATOR GoRMAN AN ACTIVE PROMOTER OF
THE SCHEME-INDISCREEr.s REVELATIONS
BY HIS PERSONAL oRGAN-wHEN AND
WHY THE PLOT WAS MATCHED.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE1


Washington, Nov. 10-That scheme is aloot ln
which many prominent Democrats are concerned W
have Democratic committee OF the next House In
vesgae the September election in the Ist Congress
District OF Maine, there is excellent reason 10 DO
leve. There is no other in the Republican party
whom Democrats hate with SO deep and malignant d
hatred as they do Thomas b. Reed and the fact thao
he will be the leader Of the Republican minority III
the next House has given the overlooking cup Oh
their rejoicing strong flavor OF gall which is made
to taste unusually bitter by the reflection tha' ms
majority was Increased nearly 100 per cent over 'no
majority he received two years ago.
indications are not wanting that senator 0oIh''"
is one of the most active promoters OF the schcme
which is afoot His personal organ Inc Iait'horc
SUM- through its Washington correspondent mas u.s.
closed some Of the details OF the plot and at the same
time has incidentally betrayed the deep ntrest iet
by the Democratic National Committee in attempts
to blast Mr. Reeds political prospects On the ialer
point The Sun" correspondent writes
has not been generally known, but II is the iacI
that the National Democratic C0mmil.se was s VeIy
anxious to the defeat of Mr. Reed, POssiDic
ana early In the summer there were seVe coierenccs
on the subject Finally trusted agent was sent 10 10
look over the ground. He made careful study OF tie
situation and then gave the opinion that tae chances
were very much against the success Of any such az
tempt lie found the Democrats OF the alstilct nsC
less. respondent. Had the election in Maine taken
place two months later at the time OF e e ice
Democrats Of Maine were not by any means Oh tne ae
mood In November as in September. Inc worn came
stances it not worth while TO make any contest
against Mr.. Reed and has been sad the Democrats
permitted the election 10 go by default.
According to this correspondent the initiative Is 10
be taken, whenthe Lid Congress assemblies by prom
inent 1izens in Mr.. Reeds Congressional district
who are to present request, which should without
doubt be promptly concurred in, for an investigation
of the election based on allegations OF wholesale
bribery and corruption The correspondent further
hat. fha If larpe of
open purchase of voters at Mr. Reeds socalled tr-
umphant reelection in September last, most easily
susceptible of proof. The facts have been obtained,
and, il is claimed can be substantated by rrefutabe
testimony before any committee of the House"
1t is not dificult TO understand the meaning and
purpose of this Democratic plot the sole design Of
which is to drive through an overwhelmingly Demo
cratic House report from partisan committee
recommending that Mr. Reeds seat be declared vacant
The plot was not Matched until it was known that the
Democrats in the next House would Outnumber the
Republicans nearly three TO one, and thelr leaders,
intoxicated by victory as unexpected as II was
sweeping, adopted the belief that they would be sup
ported in any political crime or rascality which they
might commit No effort made by them, within
the period of thirty days allowed by law to defeated
candidate, to a notice Of contest on his sue
cessful opponent, to induce the defeated Democratic
candidate in the Ist Maine District TO serve such
notice, and proceed in the way prescribed by la" W
take testimony support of the allegations that the
election was tainted by bribery The was allowed
10 slumber Tor than sixty days. and 1t lay
dormant until confidential friend OF senator Gorna
Of the Democratic National Committee, suddenly re-
vived it by All indiscreet Publication
Mr.. Reed and the Republican party IN the is, Maine
District have nothing 10 fear rom the result OF
thoroughly impartial and fair investigation OF tle
election, even Of partisan investigation certainly
no Republican will throw straw In the way. The
fact that the Democrats have Matched such scheme
is high tribute to Mr.. Reed for IT shows that tne!
hate and fear him not less the leader of compact
Republican minority than they do as the Speaker OF
Republican House.