New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-01
A DEMOCRAT SEATED.
THE HOUSE DECIDES THE ALABAMA EL.EC.
TON CASE
ITS POPULATION OVERWHELMINGLY
REPUBLICAN, BUT BLACK

Washington, Feb. 21.-The House Of Representatives.
today, four days before the expiration Of this Con-
c1css decided the contested election OF McDufe
against Turpn. Of the Ivth Alabama District in favor
OF the sitting member who is Democrat. The Com
mittee on Elections divided party lines and the
House followed its example. More than fifty Demo
Gratis under the leadership OF Mr. Cultivate. Of ONO,
voted against giving the case any consideration what
ever. Three hours allowed for debate. the
leading speech In behalf OF McDufFe being made 10y
Mr. Johnson. OF Indiana. and that in behalf OF Tnrpin
by Mr.. Lockwood, OF New York. who prepared the
report OF the majority He took the grouUd that the
contestant not having offered in evidence the original
ballots cast at the contested precincts the secondary
testimony which ne had offered could not be admitted
as conclusive. He conceded. however. that McDufic
was entitled 10 G-4 votes than had been credited
TO him by the state thus reducing Turpins
alleged plurality from 4.67' to 3.0D3. The views Of
the minority submitted by Mr.. johnson. made out
strong for the contestant and declared that his
actual plurality over Turpn Goa
For nearly twenty years each successive House Of
Repre- sentativeS has been called upon 10 deal with
election contest from the Ivth Alabama District,
which was set apart by the first Democratic Legs
lature. after reconstruction Republican district.
The number OF colcrcd voters in the five counties which
compose the district IS about four and onchalf times
as large the number OF white voters. and some
hundreds of hc latter. well ninct cnhs Of the
former. Republicans
In the XLNIIIth Congress Shelley Dcmocrat.
ceivd the certificate OF election from the Democratic
Governor. His seat contested BY George II.
Craig Republican) and Democratic Committee
Elections after thorough investigation. recommended
that the seat be awarded TO him. This recommends
ton was approved by q Democratic House OF Repre-
sentatvcs. and Shelley was nnseated. In that case
the Election Committee found that Craics actual
majority at least" $3.50. The political COM
pexion Of the counties which composed the district
in 1880 has not changed according 70 any evidence
hat has hee pre ted NIT fhc NJ
Democratic members Of the Elections Committee 20 the
contrary. one Of whom to-day went far
assert that majority OF the colcrcd voters OF the
South Democrats" Alabama Democrats made
such claim IN regard to the WITH District after
the election Of 1890. from which tho present contest
When the Legislature engaged In the work
Of redistrcting that State, in February, 1891 THE
birmingham Age Herald" speaking Of the white Dem
ocrats In that district, said
They have been patient and long suffering; they
have felt the cTu% necessity OF corrupng sacred
ballot box and the awful tendency OF this hard
thing 10 inocuate the public confidence and the pi
vate principle 10 wither and blast the pure motives
and fair ambitions OF the youth Worst OF ALL per
haps they saw the pcstIlence spreading beyond their
gates and the things shrunk from and prsctisrd through
necessity taken up where the need not. and made
the indcfcnsblc instrument Of political GAIN
1.-The Evening Journal Of the city, among
other things editOrlally said
The black belt IS tired Of the burden II has been
carrying on IT'S shoulders for quarter OF century,
and wants relief. Tie Legislature should grant IT..
Why should not the Democrats have eight instead Of
seven Representatives In Congress from Alabama II
some change Is not made in the arrangement Of dis
trYs, or, rather relief IS not given the black
WITH, 'Thc Journal does not hesitate 20 that II Is
In favor OF turning over 10 The Republicans without
any contest The Democrats Of that district should no
longer be asked 10 risk much for the sake Of the
party, when the party has It in Us power to give them
relief This Is plain talk, but The Journal thinks II
f. tine talk plainly and the Legislature cannot ignore