New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-03

NAV be the merits Of the several contests begun
II Is the duty o. the House Of Representatives 10
try and decide each one OF them according TO
the law and the evidence. 1t is duty imposed by
tn, Constitution OF the United States and II can
not be ignored
The duty IL as plain and imperative with
majority OF 10 as II would be with majority or
ten or OF one The superior beings who suggest
that such a course ought to be pursued DO not
oven appear TO realize that they are Offering
gross Insult the majority In the next House OF
Representatives. II Democratic majority instead
OF Republican majority were called upon 10
decide these contests. the persons who oner the
suggestions might be able to justify themselves to
some extent by showing what Democratic major
tiles have done in the past but that Is not the
case Moreover. the testimony which has alreahy
been printed I'm some OF the cases clearly SHOWS
that unless the House of Representatives snail
thoroughly investigate and impartialy decide them.
IL will not only prove recreant to Its duty out
wink at some OF the most glaring and outrageous
frauds that have ever dsgraced Congress elections
IN the United States.
FRAUDS FROM BEGINNING TO END.
Such a case is that OF Murray against Elliott OF
the LIST South Carolina District The uncontra-
diced testimony shows that Ellotts so-called cleo
ton was the result OF a series OF rrauds winch
began with the appointment Of commissioners and
managers OF election and ended only when the
State canvassers had accepted and canvassed re-
turns that were reeking with fraud. The district
contains substantially the same territory that was
included in the old With District with voting
population OF 45 900. which was carved out by a
Democratic LEGISLATURE dozen years ago with
view TO give the Republicans an overwhelming
majority and make 1T easier to manufacture Demo-
cratic maiorlties in Congress districts where the
Republican preponderance WAS not so heavy Inc
scheme worked so well that the Democrats at last
concluded to steal the With District also. despite
the normal Republican majority OF 1900 or more,
and William Elliott put forward as the Demo-
cratic candidate In 1856 he declared elected"
bv n aiority OF about 700 in n total of about
1909 and in 1885 he was again declared elected"
By a majority OF 1855 in a total vote OF l536 In
both cases contests were instituted by the Repub-
llcan candidates. and the cases were ignored by
the Democratic aiority In the House OF Repre-
sentativcs
In 1880 Elliott was again candidate and the
Democratic canvassers returned him elected"
by a plurality OF AZ votes In total vote
OF about $500 A contest begun and prose
cued. and after a fair and full INVESTIGATION
the contestant was seated In 1892 Elliott was
somewhat discouraged, and another Democrat
took his place "a a candidate. According to
the false returns made by the local canvassers
Murray. the Republican candidate received 26%
! votes and Noise the Democratic candidate. 4,s37
votes but the Board OF State canvaHsers. OF which
Governor Tilman member land he had prom
ised honest count) revised the returns, adding
2.so votes to Murray's total and eighteen to
Noises total The righteousness OF this action
which resulted I'm the awarding OF the certificate
o, election Murray. was amply ettesied
by the fact that Noise dared not appeal
even to the Democratic majority IN the Eousc
OF Representatives to reverse It, In 1894 Elliott
again appeared the scene candidate
and the tactics OF 1896 1855 and 1897 were again
repeated with some additions and Improvements"
The result az declared was 1913 votes for Murray
and $3.50 votes for Elliott Tman still Gov
ernor and Il member OF the Board OF State Can
vassers but he appears not to have pledged him
self In favor OF honest count, as ne had done
In 1872
\ MAJORITY PROVED TO BE FALSE
That Elliott's pretended majority" OF l.7I over
Murray was a false and fraudulent one IL. as has
been already said clearly shown by the unnl-
peached and 'rldcted testimony OF witnessea.
OF whom summoned - testify in Elliott's
behalf E.llots first step Was 10 try 10 procure the
appointment AZ County Commissioners OF Election
OF his own parislns and that he was successful is
shown by a letter from him to Governor Tillman.
under date October II. 1894 thanking the latter
for his kindness and interest" In the matter The
Rem all reures nj ria