The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-18
THE ATTACK on coNGREssmAs EPEs

THE ATTACK on CONGRESSMAN EPFs
Mr.. James +. Epes now writes a letter
70 the Dispatch complaining OF our course
in connection with his contest with Mr..
Goode as calculated TO hurt his case.
I We assure Mr. Epes again that our COM
ments have no relation TO his contest.
Congress probably VIII retain him IN his
seat. But that cannot affect our opinion
OF what the county returning boards did
! TO count him i'm. We are end eaVoring to
force disccntinuance OF such practlces
| I'm Virginia. Mr.. Epes was not elected 10
| Congress. but Mr.. Gocde was. Mr.. Epes
was counted in. and when such Il case
arises, we protest. and insist that the
county returning boards shall not defeat
the viii of the people. even If they do send
! another Democrat 10 Congress. II IS not
10 hurt Mr. Epes that we make this pro-
| test. but to secure 10 ourselves our rights
az voters.-The Richmond Times.
| DiscncuWoered OF superiiuous yerbiage
the Times here condemns as rascals, the
returning boards of nine counties. and
| presents to the world the humiiaung
| spectacle Of a Virginia Democratic con-
| gresham holding the seat and drawing
| the pay which belongs TO another man.
| And as clearly as clear can be. the Times
charges that the Democratic United
states House Of Representatives will be
paruceps criininis in all this wrOng-do-
ing.
It also makes by unavoidable implica-
ton a severe arraignment Of the Demo-
Gratis OF the Fourth district since know
INK ali of these facts-if they be facts
they have disapprOyed neither the con-
duct Of the returning boards. nor the
course OF Mr. Epes.
And an this. mind you. just as the
case Of Go0de PopulisD versus CEpos)
Democrat is being prepared for trial
That the House of Representatives
does not deserve the bad name which
the Times gives it all men should know.
since during the last Congress il oustcd
Mr.. Rockwell. the Democrat from the
Elmra CNew York; district, and
seated in his stead a Republican.
The Times OF yesterday speaks Of its
philosophy" This same philosophy is
A good horse in the stable but an arrant
Jade upon a journey. Dispatch Of yes
tcrday.
Disencumbered OF all supernuous YER
biage the Times does not condemn as
rascals the returning boards OF nine
counties" There are. no doubt. many
men in those returning boards whose
conduct IN all other relations of life is
exemplary and that Of gentlemen. But
Niiginias election laws were passed. as
the people understood. to be a shelter
for whatever would defeat the other
side and keep our side in office. 1t Is |
the inspiration sent out amongst the
people by these laws. and the defence Of |
them by newspapers like the Dispatch, |
which has perverted the minds Of these !
men, and has brought them TO think |
that anything which defeats the other |
side and secures Office TO our man. IS |
within the purvew and equity Of the law.
and they have consequently done things
IN regard TO this election that they would
scorn 10 do in their private relations as
men. Men cannot be expected 10 be
better than their laws, and If they I'M
derstand that the law is intended 10
shelter trickery, they will see no harm
in engaging in it in matters that concern
that law. They viii not remain pure
however, in their private relations. Hay
Ing commenced doing wrong under the
laws shelter they will soon become
corrupt. and begin TO cheat each other.
As we have said above. our discussion
or the case Of Goode and Epes had no
reference to the contested election. But
II we had known it was about 10 be held
land We knew nothing of when it would
be reached we should still have said
lust what we have said. We would have
said IT too, II we had known II would
lnseat Epes. Mr.. Epes was not elected
o Congress. lie was seated in Congress
~ the returning boards OF nine counties
the voters Of thirty-one
tut OF ninety-eight precincts in his dis
riot We shall never agree to accept a
representative in. Congress on any such
erms. We are as much opposed 10
'opulists and Republicans as il is posi-
Die 10 be, but Populists and Republicans
lave the right 10 vote. and have their
otes counted and We shall never cease
lamoring for recognition of this right on
heir part.
We should like 10 know OF the Dispatch
it defends what was done by the re-
urning boards in this case. 1t II has no
opy OF the record. we will lend it one.