The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-12-19
THIRTY TWO CON TESTS
AND REPUBLICANS GETTING
READY TO UHSEAT THE
DEMOCRATS.
WOoDARD- CHEATHAM CONTEST
The Evidence is all in Woodlands Fa-
vor and Nothing but Reckless Parti-
san Prejudice Can be Relied on to
Accomplish Cheatham's Purpose TO
Unseat Him. Elections Committee
Divided Into Three Parts and for the
Purpose of Unseatipg Democrats.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-(opeclal)- -
As foreshadowed in previous letter,
the amendment to the rules
was yesterday adopted provid-
ing for three elections COM
mittees of each. Cannon, of Illinois,
led the debate, starting off with state
ment of the necessity of having three
committees, instead of one as hereto
fore, to handle the 32 contested cases
to come up before the House. Cannon
was replied to at length by Crisp and
sharply interrupted at one time by Nc
MILAN, of Tennessee. After the day
had been nearly consumed by the de-
bate on the amendment it was finally
passed. not, however, before amend
ments had been offered, and lost, res
pectively by Bailey, of Texas, to re-
quire a special oath from the appoint
ees on the ground that they were judi
cial officers, and by Terry, of Arkansas
providing that there should be allow
ed six hours debate, if desired on each
case. 1t was evident almest from the
beginning from the tone and temper
of Cannon's harangue that the Repub-
licans had resolved to have done with
the Democratic eontestees as soon as
possible.
reading of the Presidents message on
the Venezuelan boundary question.
This ELECTED much enthusiasm from ev-
cry member.
The message is generally regarded
as eminently satisfying, aItoel ther
free from jingo, even deprecating the
answer of spirited firmness which, per-
force, was the only one left the Presi-
tn let ont h
the honor of the country.
There was hardly anything else
talked of yesterday afternoon.
and while few say it is bid from
Cleveland for denomination. yet the
greater number say he has done well
in every way in the utterance
1t is yet thought that Great Britain
viii get out of the dilemma by some
diplomatic dodge. Certainly. it is as
serted on all sides, America can take
no back-step after such an utterance
by Cleveland.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES CONTEST.
The partisans of ex-Congresman HI.
=. Cheathan, who is contesting Mr..
Woodard's seat, have been actively en-
deavoring to create the impression
be seated by the present House. The
evidence in the case and the briefs of
both parties have been published, and
a careful perusal of the same will sat
isfy any unprecedented mind that the
claims of the contestant are not war
ranted by the facts.
Hon. III. Z. Cheatham starts out in
his contest by claiming that the sec
5000 more colored than white voters.
and that the colored vote may be re-
lied on as Republican solid. 1t is upon
these allegations that he bases his con-
test. If true, then there can be no
doubt he was elected and is entitled to
the seat. But the truth is, there is no
ground for such claims and they are
but barest assertions with no evidence
to sustain them.
He claims that he received plural
ity of 1,49s votes.
AS to these allegations, what are the
facts?
The registration books of each
county were put in evidence and they
show a white registered majority of
1889 voters. This is the official re-
cord and cannot be disputed. Igno-
rance would be inexcusable, and evil
IDENTIFY the object is to forestaIl public
sentiment and create a fictitious inn
preston that he ought to be seated,
because his color being in larger ma
iority in the district should have rep
resentatiye of their own.
This district was formerly compos-
ed of majority of negroes and was
therefore known as the "black dis
trict." The Legislature of 1890
changed the district and detached Ora
ven and Vance counties, which con
tanned Ills colored majority and adj
ded Wayne county, which contained
1900 white majority. This act of the
Legislature, coupled with very large
emigration of negroes from this sec
ton of the State within the last few
years, has changed the complexion of
the district and given the whites reg
istered majority of 1879 votes, as
shown by the registration books. 1t
will thus be seen that the claim that
the negroes are now in majority in
the district is absurd.
As to the second allegation, that the
negro vote was solidly Republican,
there is as little truth as that in regard
TO the claim that the negroes are in AZ
majority in the district.
1t is proved that there was great OPP
position among the colored voters all
over the district TO the contestant.
This opposition it is shown by many
witnesses, arose principally from the
fact that there had been a bitter con
test for the Republican nomination for
Congress between the contestant and
G. II. White, a prominent and popular
leader of his race. who had been elect
ed Solicitor OF the judicial District
composed OF five of the same counties
which are in the Second Congressional!
district The convention was Il very
inharmonious and turbulent body, and
broke mp in great disorder, both Cheat
ham and White claiming to be nomi-
mated. White issued an address TO the
voters in which he denounced the con
testant and made strong appeal in
his own behalf as the regular nominee
of the Republican party. This CON
test was kept up for months and q
very bitter feeling was excited between
the partisans of the two aspirants. The