The herald., 1894-03-19
THE PROGRAMME IN CONGRESS
Contested Election Cases on
Deck in Washington.
Nothing of Importance on the Senate
Calendar.
The Supreme Court Ones More Com
plets Body-Many Gases TO BE
Argued Before the
Full Bench,
By the Associated Press.


WASHINGTON, March 1S.--As soon as
the sundry civil bill lie disposed OF, which
will probably be tomorrow, the house
will take up the four contested election
cases which are pending, the O'Neil-Joy
case from the tenth Missouri district,
the Williams-Settle case from the fifth
North Carolina, the English Hilborn
case from the third California and the
Whatley~ Colby case from the fifth Ala.
bama.
The O'Neil-Joy and English Hilborn
cases, which were both decided against
the sitting members (Republicans) by
strict party votes in the committee on
election. are the most important and
Will require the major portion OF the
time. In both these cases the result OF
the election in November, 1892, WAS
exceedingly close.
There were two counts in the O'Neil-
Joy election, the recount giving JOY
(Rep.) 81 plurality. U'Neil was beaten
on the face OF the returns and he insti-
stuted the contest on the ground that the
Missouri election law had not been COM
piled with, it having been shown that
some OF the Joy ballots had not been
numbered and initiated ae required by
that law. The case before the commit
tee hinged upon the determination of
the question as TO whether the Missouri
election law in this particular should be
regarded as mandatory or simply direc-
tory. The members OF the committee
wavered for some time, but finally
decided by strict party vote that the
law was mandatory and that its techni-
Galities had not been observed. This
decision gave the seat to O'Neil (Dem. }
In the English Hilborn case the. re-
snlt wss also very close, English receiv-
ing 13, ,l30 on the face OF the returns
against Hilborr's 1850. English's
case rested on the claim that in one pre-
cinct the returns had been manipulated
beyond doubt and his attorneys charged
that while Hilborn was not responsible
Tor it he had been the beneficiary of that
manipulation. at the close OF the case
Hilborn's attorneys still claimed his
election by one vote but the Democrats
decided in favor Of English.
In the Williams Settle case the con.
testant alleges that the sitting member
was elected by the bulldozing and in
timidation of negro voters by the Re-
publieans, but most OF the Democrats
VI tho COiunAbtSo Ioluhou bO support Dis
contention. Mr.. Woodward, (Dem. J
however, dissented from the decision OF
his colleagues.
In the Whatley-Colby case the COM
mittee unanimously decided against the
contestant, who is Populst. and his
case can have no standing in the house
whatever.
II the contested election cases are dis
posed of this week, which is hardly pos
sible, as the Republicans will doubtless
insist upon the presence of q Democrat
lc quorum to unseat their colleagues,
the house will proceed With the consid-
sration of the consular and diplomatic
appropriation bill.
The present week will, so far as the
calendar reveals, be devoted by the sem
ate TO routine business of no general in.
terest. 1t is probable that the fortifca-
lions appropriation bill will be reported
from the committee, and If it should be
II will probably be taken up for discus
sion and put upon its passage. and there
will be an effort to dispose OF the gov
srnment printing site, the Russian this
tie appropriation and the McGarrahsn
bill and large number of special bills
On the calendar