New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-05
4 COMPLETED TNIQCI7I.

Another stolen election mas gone INTO Alncri-
can history. The evil that Maynard did lives
after him. but the lesson that the punishment OF
his thieving taught appears not to have been
learned by those who follow in his footsteps.
With tho same calmncss and impudcnt ignoring
OF all protests which characterized the New-fork
conspiracy of 1891 the Tennessee iniquity has
been carried through. On Friday the two houses
or the Legislature met In joint session. The
| farce Of debate was gone through with. the
| majority sat unmoved. while the minority ar
raigncd their Illegal course and appealed to their
patrlotism and sense Of justice. The appeal
might as well have been made TO statues. All
the details Of the plan had been arranged before
hand The day was passed in talking when III
no wise affected the result. AT midnight the
ballot was taken, and by vote OF II to % the
Legislature gave TO Peter Turncy the Governor $
| chair. which the people had declared should De
occupied by Henry Clay Evans.
This criminal conspiracy against the suprehi-
acy Of the ballot-box was successful only because
the Democratic members OF the Legislature were
loss CONTAGIOUS or less honest than the rank ana
file of their party who supported Governor Iur-
| nov Tor reelection but who acknowledge his de-
| fcot. and have no sympathy with his efforts 10
maintain himself in power by fraud. All the
| best people OF Tennessee and nearly all OF the
nromincnt Democratic newspapers, have taken
| the side OF Mr.. Evans In the controversy ana re-
bukel the members of their party who have been
engaged I'm cheating him ont Of his seat justin
cation for their course the consprators had not.
Their only appeal was TO force and revolution
ON the face Of the returns Mr. Evans was elected
Governor by 74S plurality. He therefore, accord
in Tom
states. had right to take the seat even though
n contest were TO follow. Tho orderly method
Of procedure under the Constitution was. how
ever, departed from. The Legislature declared
that Governor Turney should hold his seat while
n hacked partisan committee went through 'h'
state hunting for prctexs on which TO throw ont
Evans votes or course they found them Illa'
,s what they were set to do The Tennessee law
requires voters 10 pay poll tax Inc committee
went into districts where there was an Evans
nlurolity and discovered that some persons hhh
voted without showing NJ the time OF Vo'hS
their tax receipts. 1t was not Prctrhhel 'ha'
these persons had not paid the tax or were ais
qualified 10 vote. or that the inspectors did mol
know full we'll that they had paid the tan II
Was only commended that the inspectors had az
ceptcd their votes without az the moment OF SO
doing setting their eyes on bits Of paper when
certified facts with which they were perfectly
familiar Even this could be said only concern
ing particular electors. hut on the strength OF II
the votes OF whole precincts were thrown out,
nlurality OF 21si was trumpet up for Turn"y.
and. in spite Of the protests Of press AMI people,
the majority in the Legislature has stood stolidly
by the thieves.
The contest ends with less for Mr.. Evans 10
regret than for his successful opponent lie hns
not won the actual power 81 the Goyernorship'
but he has fought forhs rights AMI Tile srprem-
acy Of the popular voice with dignity. ana h"
gives way To- force and fraud Governor Iurney
has gained power, hut he has also gained in
fanny Besides he has done more than any man
I'm his State to strengthen the Republican party.
He has deprived Il Of the fruits Of chance vie
tory In a Democratic State. by 50 doing he has
given II an issue that IL broader than party. and
which appeals 10 every honest citizen. whether
Rcpubllcan or Democrat. I'LL and Maynard
stole one house ~ the NcwYor Legislature.
The peope condemned them both. and placed IN"
whole State government In the hands Of their
opponents The Tennessee Goycrnorship has
been stolen from the Republicans. but The party
is stronger IN the State than 1t ever was before