New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-12
PARTISANSHTP AT DISCOUNT.
JUST DECISIONS IN ELECTION CONTESTS ny COM
MTTTEES AND THE HOUSE.

JUST DECISIONS IN ELECTION CONTESTS NJ COM
MITTEEs AND THE HOUSE.
Washington. June II (speciaD.-One OF the feat
OF the session, far the House of Repre-
sentatves was concerned was the unprece'ientedy
large number OF contested election cases When II
proposed TO appoint three committees to CON
slider the cases. the Democrats raised a howl Of
protest. FIX Speaker Crisp and Judge Turner. of
Georgia. and other leaders of the minority de-
nounced the proposition in the most vehement
terms. declaring that II was a part OF scheme TO
railroad" the cases and unseat Democrats regard
less Of the law and evidence. and II was seriously
proposed that the members OF the Elections Com
mttees should each take n special oath TO perform
their duties honestly. What happened afterward gave
tho lie to the assumptions OF the members Of the
minority and showed that the fears they professed
TO feel wholly groundiess
or the th!rty-two cases twenty-eight dis
posed of by the House OF Representatives. In six
teen OF these cases committees reported in favor Of
the sitting members. all Of whom were Democrats.
in two On OF which the Democrat who
held the certificate OF election conceded the election
his opponent and refused defend his tito
committees unanimously reported In favor OF Repub-
Ncan contestants. In eight cases majortles OF
mittees reported in favor OF contestants. nine Of
whom were Republicans and one Democrat;
in case the majority OF the committee recon-
mcndcd that the scat Of Democratic sitting mem
Der 20 declared vacant In twcnty-sevcn cases the
House adopted the recommendations OF tho com
mltices-in eighteen OF them by unanimous vote.
In on case IN which tho majority Of she committee
had reported In favor OF the sitting member. who
was a Democrat. the House dsreglrdcd the recon-
nrnlniiOn OF the nittre and declared The seat
vacant.
Of the four cases left undlsposed OF when Congres.
adjourned to-day. TWO were on IN" calendar with
reports from ma joriiy o. the committee In favor
Of the sitting members. who Democrats and two
are SIN IN tie hands ~ committees In Of these
cases further time take testimony has been al
owed. 81 careful tho majority "f the Hous'
10 do exact iustc" That tho case % Knaker against
Downing N which the majority had reported IN
favor OF the contestant WAS sent back 10 N" com
m.ife. for 4 recount. AMI IN" ballots more thAr
g. rpi in numbcr-weTe brought 20 Washington ant
recountcd. The recount sustained the original iuig
Inent Of the comm!itc" In favor OF the contestant
and he WAS seated.
on, result II the action OF the House In contest"t
election cases wholly unpr"ce Tented. , Two
brothers ". T. AlIrich and T II Aldr!ch. who were
Republican candidates for Congress In IN" lNth and
IXth Alabama districts respectively. contested IT,
seats Of two Democrats. who had beer counted ~
by methods which have made Congress elections In
fhat STATE a farce for many years past. and bon
OF them were seated l. H. the nrst time IN th'
history OF the House ~ Representatives. that I've
members OF the same family nave held seals "a tho
result OF election contests. and Il is the first tim,
since the XXXNifh Congress that brothers have
been members % that body nj the time l.
that Congress three OF the Washhurn brothers. Cad
Salader g.. Elihu u ana Israel g.. jr. were mem
hers OF the House In that case. however, no TIVE
OF them represented districts In the same State.