New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-20
,ny TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBUSE.l

THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE is MADE
rp-MR MUDD's CHANCES GOOD.
my TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrsuSEl
WASHINGTON March 10.-As soon as Mr. Cooper, OF
ohio. gave notice that the Elections Committee. OF
which he is a member, would call up to-day the case
NJ Nfndd against Compton OF the Nth Maryland DIS
trct ex Speaker Carlisle issued circular to the Demo
cratic Representatives warning them 10 DE present III
order to vote the contcsce; and since that hour
efforts have continued TO recall all Democratic ap-
sentees and keep them here until AFTER the contest
shall have been decided. The Democrats count upon
the votes Of seven Republicans in Compton's behalf
and Of course they do not expect that any Democrat
will dare to vote In favor Of unseating contestee or
seating contestant, however strong may he his views
and convictions in favor Of Mudds title whenever
q Republican sees Mt 10 form and express Judgment
contrary to that OF the nine members VINO compose
The majority Of the Elections Committee ana VINO "a>e
thoroughly sifted the evidence and reached uiia"
NOUS conclusion respecting the merits of an election
contest he may be sure that the Democrats--espc
rally the Democrats who hold seats which rghtiuiy
belong TO Republicans will pat him on the Dach ap
Drovngly and publicly praise his courage '"'
.indcpcndence- and his judicial fairness ana non,
partnership while at the same time privately HUM
ing him in contempt. ,
II. Oh the other hand, Democrat shoud oe '"s
enough TO set up his individual judgment "saii,S'
Tho conclusions Of the six men who compose the
minority Of the same committee, he would be privately
and publicly denounced by his party associates a. "
Judas and Benedict Arnold seiooh' n'ue0o'
does n Democrat expose himself to such ueh'n'"'.'"
Even the Democrat who happens to be absent ""'.
nm election contest is decided returns to ma iunsen
thc object of suspicion and dislike and Ills name osoA
s;s+cd In every Democratic and Mugwump newspaper
In the country The Democrats who were absent '"o
weeks ago. when the Fcathcrston.Ca'c cohle'' was
Needed were promptly sent TO coventry U! wv"
nartv associates in Washington. and abusco U! '''o
democratic and Mugwunp press in every >tavc' >o''o
fxcept Republican Representatives can anofu 10 eA
hibt courage or independence or to be absent
dur,ng the trial of an election contest NO Democrat
will dare to dsobey the order of Dictator Carhsie'
OF course every election contest ought to be de
rded on its merits; but in that as Ill every o'"o'
matter which is brought before the House. inc me
hers as a rule arc compelled by circumstances 10 oe'
mend largely upon the Judgment OF the conlm'ttee
which has investigated 1t for 1t would be pis soai
tmnosshility for every member of the House 10 eA'
plore and sit the $1,000 pages OF testimony ana INC
forty briefs OF counsel more or less whch 'o'"ps0
te printed record in the seventeen election contests
which were pending when the House was oisahneo'
~ s strongly 10 be doubted whether many as a
dozen members either side. except me1huers vi tic
Elections Committee and the conteStee nave lo"ha
time To study with much even the briefs OF
counsel and the report of the Committee IN any Single
case. A much smaller number would include all who
IN addition have undertaken TO read and SIT ana
weigh the evidence. Probably even MI 'dl'sie
would not claim 10 have Tome 50.
As for the Elections Committee. no well informed
Oer,on would have the hardhOod 10 contend that the
nine members who compose the majority are not
OIL at least. able "a honest as CONSCIENTIOUS anu
a. industrious and thorough the six members VINO
rompose the minority or that The judgment "i inc
majority is not entitled at least as much weight
and confidence a. that Of the minority. In the seec-
NJ nj. he
exercised by Speaker Reel As all the contestces hap
pcned 70 be Democrats, he rcappotcd four Democrats
who were member, Of the some committee III 'c 'S'
House As FAR practicable. his selections were CON-
tined to States from which no contests were pehu'hs'
the exceptions being Mr.. Iouk OF Tennessee. from
which there is one contest, and Mr.. OFcrral oil Nir
,ina from which three contests are pending. BON
Judge Houk and Colonel O'Fcrral were members OF
The committee in the last House.
In view Of the number Of contests, which is larger
than usual, and the importance Oi the recommends
lions OF the Elections Committee which must affect
the titles of scvcntccn member, to Their seat>-lo'
Including the right Of Mr.. Brccknrdge, Of Arkansas IN
xvhosc district an attempt was made 10 end n con
test by the assassination of the concstant-a b'lel
sketch Of the personnel OF the committee VIII be OF
interest.
Mr. Rowel the chairman. was the leading neHoef
OF the minority OF the committee In the last congress
and won the confidence and respect Of lawyers on bot
&c v-seven wears old and "a successful lawyer Of
long experience who has made a high reputation at
The Illinois bar by his mastery OF the prho'pe9 u
law and his ability 10 apply them. as well a oy Ills
keen and severe powers Of analysis bsched bv I'M
tagging industry All Of these qualitles ana guam
cations he brings the investigation Of election CON
tests and when lie rises In the House to discuss one
nj these CAGES he needs no oratorca tricks b. embesh
his arrument or give IT a fictitious weight or value
lie does not use cIaptrap; with him would be out OK
place
Judge IIouk OF Tennessee, who stands second in the
committee is fifty four years OH and was admitted u
the bar in 1879 For four years he was circuit
Judge OF Tennessee. lie is serving his sixth term III
fire House and ever since he became member OF
that body he has devoted much time to the study Of
thc law and precedents election He Is quick
10 pc-ceve the strength weakness OF evidence, j.
industrious and thorough In his habits OF invcsueauo'
and Is ready and powerful in debate
william G. Cooper. Of Ohio, Is the third member OF
the committee lie is inycight years old, and a
wyer of nearly forty years experience He stand'
high at the bar Of his native State, where he mas won
as,inction rot only on Of his eminent pro-
fessiona alb and qualifications but for MS sturdy
Intellectual hone sly and independence which have been
exhibited on more than occasion since he became
a member OF the House. five years ago, and member
O. the Elections Committee. Two years later. Mr.
Cocper's speeches in election cases always receive
attention especially from members OF the committee
who are opposed 10 him. lie never tcscends 10 the
level OF the pcttlfogger. ard his arguments command
the respect if not the votes, OF members Of the opposite
political party.
Nils p lIaugcn, OF Wisconsin. The fourth member
oi the committee. is its youngest member. being ONLY
forty ono years old. lie is a lawyer by profession
and his speech on the FeatlertonCac contest showed
that he is not only careful and industrious lawyer
but a keen analyst and powerful debatcr
John r. Lacey, OF Iowa. is the fifth member OF the
committee and is serving his first term in the
house. to which lie came with high reputation as
al able and learned lawyer Captain Lacey Is forty
nine years old. by Democrats as well as by Rcpub
Leans he is regarded Of the most industrious
and useful members Of the committee. and his seerl
In the debate the West Virginia contest OF smitl
against jackson him hg! praise On both sde'
Of the House.
The sixth member of the committee IS John Dai