Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-01-19
REMARKABLE COINCIDENCE.
Heretofore Unpublished Incidents OF
the GuhernatariaI Contest Of 1880.

the GubernatoriaI Contest OF 1880.
In the early summer of 1880 the
writer of this met in room Of the
Ebbitt House, in Washington, Hon.
H. Clay Evans, of Tennessee, and
Gen. Nathan Goff, of this State Con-
versation naturally turned to the con-
test then in progress and the probable
result. twas suggested to Gen. Gof
that the final decision would be against
him. He Indignantly resented any
such idea with the remark that he was
honestly elected, had plurality which
could not be destroyed by chicanery
or fraud, and that there were enough
honest men in the Legislature to pre-
vent the conspirators from accomplish
ing their infamous purposes. He
went on to state that at least two
Democratic members of the Legisla-
ture had satisfied themselves that he
was legally elected and would so vote.
Being reminded that he could not
depend upon the promises of those
men, he cut his pessimistic friend off
with the remark that he knew what
he was talking about
Mr.. Evans being appealed to for an
opinion differed from the general ard
suggested he should be greatly sur
prised if some means was not employ
ed to bring the dissenting Democrats
into line
The result is we'll known. The vote
was not counted as the con stitutiou
provides, at the proper time nor since,
and the defeated candidate of the
Democratic party was made governor
by resolution adopted by the Leg
islature, plain and palpable viola
ton of the constitution which the
men voting for the resolution had
sworn to support.
The two Democratic members of the
Legislature who had dared to defy
the rascally cabal were Merrill. of
Writ County, and Ford, of Raleis h .
We have the story from the man who,
when the other leaders of the party
had exhausted every means in their
power to dissuade those two mel from
voting their honest sentiments had
failed, concocted the scheme which
was finally successful. Merrill was
drugged and so thoroughly was the
work done that for a time it was
thought he could not be resucitated.
Ford could not be spared. His vote
was necessary, the margin being SO
small A lewd woman was placed
in his room. The conspirators were
at hand and when he entered the room
they followed. The scene that en-
sued can be imagined. Mr. Ford, an
honest, Virtuous man, was dumb
founded when informed of the charac-
ter Of the woman. He protested that
he had no idea she was there, nor
why. His protests were received
with jeers and he was told if he did
not vote as they dictated, he would be
branded as vile man and the fact
that such character was found with
him in his private apartments would
be published broadcast. Under the
terrible pressure, he yielded. Flem-
ing was declared governor and fraud
triumphed.
After the deed was done, Mr.. Ford
was informed of the villainy practiced
and then and there renowned his ar
ty, as did Mr. Merrill after he had re-
covered.
At the recent election Mr.. Ford was
again candidate for the Legislature.
This time as Republican. He was
elected and was promptly counted out.
He contested and is now occupying
his rightful place in the Legislature
of the State.
Another and striking coincidence is
that Mr.. Evans is now in the same
position Gen. Golf occupied six years
ago. Though his plurality is greater
the Democratic majority in the Ten
nessee Legislature is larger than that
Gen. Golf had to contend with, and
such vile schemes may not be resort
ed to in the latter case as in the for
mer. There is scarcely doubt how
ever that fraud will again triumph.