Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-02-15
SNOW HILL, FEB. Is. 1896.
TAKING TESTIMONY.

that have been discussed al
most daily since the election
last fall has been the absorb
ing question before the public
for the past week. The more
one sees and hears of the pro-
ceedings in these cases, the
more groundless and disgust
ing the whole matter becomes
to honest. sell respecting peo-
pie. The fact that the Re
publican contestants. or their
attorneys. refused to let the
contestees see the papers and
the people to hear the evil
dence: the fact that the pa
perS were changed so as to
invalidate the first proceedings,
the abandonment and removal
from Berlin to Snow Hill. have
all been curious proceedings.
in the public's mind. The
MESSENGER made a fight for
an open trial in the court
house. at the request of many
readers and interested voters.
1t has succeeded. and those for
whom it was done have ex-
pressed their appreciation,
and several of them have said
to us "you boys drove them
into an open and public trial.
We had no intention of driv-
ing, for that is the tactics OF
the Republicans in this con-
test. but we were determined,
if possible, to satisfy the pub
lies desire to hear the pro-
ceedings In consequence OF
our success the court house
has been thFonged with people
daily, and although the evil
dence and arguments being
adduced have been disgusting
" thin skinned and threadbare,
much interest is manifested.
This interest is partly due to
the fact that Sc far nothing has
been brought out that could
in the least effect the election
of Mr.. Purnell, or any other
candidate returned elected. and
partly through pity for some
of the unfortunately ignorant
Witnesses. who are being in
duced to perjure and subject
themselves to impeachment.
These should remember that
one OF their number is Tout
of Jail on bail" as The result
Of false swearing. We advise
them, in view OF this fact to
weigh well their words. for
these are being taken down,
and To beware Of false swear
ing. The fact that tends more
to prove the falsity of the Re
publican claims in prosecuting
this contest than any other is
that all the Republicans have
abandoned the contests for
positions. in every case. before
the Circuit Court. Why are
they not contesting the posi-,
tons of our States Attorney
and County Commissioners
whom they fought hardest be
fore the election: They served
notices on these officials
Court convened and would
have willingly tried thes,
cases. but no. the Republican,
had dropped them. Is it pos
sible that these Republican.
could not trust Judges Page
LLOYD and Holland for a tai
trial and honest decision? Die
they think these men would
render an unfair or unjust &c
cision? No. on the contrary
they knew the trial would b,
fair. and the decision homes
and Just This is just wha
their claims could not stand
and hence every Republican
whose contest would hav,
come before the Circuit Cour
abandoned his case. Thcs,
are part and parcel OF The
same Republican party, politi
cal brothers OF those who ar,
waging the contests agains
our Clerk, Orphans Cour
and Legislative officials. Have
they less confidence in the
Judge, OF our Court than il
the members OF the Legisla
ture No, but they knew
there was nothing in thei
claims. and hence the abandon.
mcnt. while those who ar,
actively prosecuting similar
claims for other positions. ex
pect. by action OF the Leg
islaturc. not TO be seated. blu
to be paid for services never
rendered. This. should it be
done. with other Republican
extravagances. will help to in
crease the tax-rate. and these
very people who are bringing
it about will be heard the
loudest in their cry about
high taxes. Let the people
remember these things anc