New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-14
POLICY IN POLITICS.

fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Washington, Marcn 13.-The House OF Represeh-
tatives to-day decided by vote Of 80 yeas TO Id
nays that CASTOR A. Robbins DEM was not
elected a REPRESENTATIVE In the LIVth Congress
from the WITH District OF Alabama, and was not
entitled to the seat which he has occupied "i'i
to-day and then decided without . DIVISION '"S'
William f. Aldrch (Rep) was elected ana was
entitled to the seat That this was a righteous ue-
cislon every Republican member Of the House OF
REPRESENTATIVES and nearly half the Democratic
members were fully convinced Three Democrats
Messrs Cobb DeArmond and Dockery. all OF MIS-
souri-voted against Robbins, and probably lofty
other Democrats would have done so II II hA' pee"
necessary Indeed 1t was asserted to-day pS "
Southern Democrat In conversation with a tribune
correspondent that two OF the three De''o. az.
members OF Elections Committee No who signed
the views the minority" did so with great re-
luctance and under strong protest. and not uh'ii
after strong and earnest appeals from me o'ne'
member Of the minority. Mr.. Bartlett, OF 'eoIs'a
and other influential Southern Democrats. IL WAS
significant tina, Of the Democrats VINO No''n
outr,ch. against Robbins to-day was Mr. Dear
mond. OF Missouri, who is member OF Elections
Committee No. 3. and who had carefully examined
the Aldrch- Robbins case.
DEMOCRATIC SENTIMENT CHANGING.
tn. result, OF the vote in this is only one Of
several recent Indications OF growing and whole
som. sentiment among Democrats In opposition 10
IN. wholesale frauds which have so long perverted
and saturated elections and election returns I'D CIR
tain Congress districts OF several states. fo'
years Democrats who were fairly ana honestly
elected to the House OF Representatives have fef'
constrained by mistaken idea OF duty TO their party
90 vo,. "a maintain the titles Of other Democrats 10
seats which rightiuly belonged 10 their opponents
Som. Democrats have been exceedingly FESTIVE Tor
several years under this burden. ana are ABOUT
ready 10 declare their independence.
one Of them pluntly said 20 a Tribune correspond
.nt to-day: Honesty Is the policy. after ALL In
politics as in other matters. IL doesn't pay the
Democratic party. and II never did. 10 put men
into seats in the House. 10 keep them In when
already there who as everybody knew In MS own
heart we're not elected The time has como To I't
a stop TO that kind OF business. confess uat
hav. been mos, agrc'ably disappointed at thN
treatment Of election contests by the several hlec
,ions Committees Of this House. So far as am
ahIe 10 fudge cases have been thoroughly invesu-
xated and carefully considered. and have no rca-
son TO doubt that the conclusion reached IN each
case has been a conscientious one expected
quite the reverse.
Whue tho case decided to-day an exceedingly
means worse than several other election cases which
remain to be decided by tho House IL TINS case NC
facts were brought out clearly and presY'iod 50
wildly by members OF the majority OF the f' ions
be likely to subsiie before The other cases nay ,
been tried and disposed OF by me nVuss. hm'
speech delivered by Mr.. lAnncy. OF Norm tI"''i'
YESTERDAY will Rave an effect in other cases besides
that OF Aldrich against Robbins. FOR II has @wahehcd
the curiosity OF members who have been indHe 70
realize for the first time that the testimony ~ cor
detection cases often makes mighty ihterrs.-
ing reading and II has also made them icahze
more clearly and keenly than they ever ana before
tho enorm!ty Of the crimes against free govern
mont which have been committed In certain Con-
gress districts.
THE ARGUMENTS IN THE CASE.
The calm and judicial. but severe and irreslst-
ible argument Of Judge Daniels to-day in closing
the debate was sufficient OF itself to convince any
Intelligent and unbiased mind OF tho utter weak
ness OF Robbnss case and the perfect justice OF
Aldrichs calm and the same might be said OF the
able and scholarly argument OF Mr.. Moody, OF
Massachusetts,. and the forclble and tienchant
speech OF Mr. Royce Of Indiana, delivered yestcf-
day. r,,,,
The members who spoke In defence OF Robbins's
title Messrs. Bartlett, Of Georgia. and Dins-
lie that they were attempting TO deiehd a weak ana
hopeless well an unjust cause, but they urea
their best TO atone for the inferior quality OF thsIr
arguments by the quantity OF language Jhey IN
Ncted on tho House. Mr. Dnsmore spoke TWO
hours and half this afternoon. and severely taxed
the patience OF members who tried 10 listen to him
Mr. Adrch deserves praise for the zeal. energy
and perseverance with whiDh he prosecuted his con
test for the seat to which he was elected by a ma
tie WITH District Of Alabama. He has thus per
formed most valuable and important service not
other Congress district in the United States 1t
a costly well difficult duty for him TO per
FORM but fortunately he was public spirited enough
we'll peculiarly able to do 1t. II Is understood
that the expenses Of the contest have considerably
exceeded the total amount Mr.. Aldrch VIII receive
on account OF salary as Representative In tho
LIVth Congress.
After the vote had been taken Mr.. Adrch ap-
peared at the bar OF the House and was sworn In
by Speaker Reed, amid applause from the Repub-
lcans.