Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-25
CORNETT AGAINST SWANSON.
The Walton Law--Wnshington City
News Notes.

WASHINGTON, ID. C., April H.-(Spe-
cial Representative Jones, of Virginia,
to-day presented the report Of Elections
Committee No. 8. In the contested cleo
ton case OF Judge Cornett against Rep
rcsentative c. A. Swanson, of the Fifth
Virginia District. This is one OF the
Virginia cases in which the constitution
ality of the Walton law is assailed. The
only other case from Virginia in which
this constitutional question is raised was
that Of Hoge against Otey.
The case OF Cornett VS.. Swanson is the
only one thus far reported 10 the House,
although the cases of Thorp against Nc
kenney and Hoge against Otey have
been decided in committee.
The report prepared by Mr.. Jones does
not go into any lengthy discussion of
the constitutionalty of the Virginia cleo
ton laws, but, for reasons which are
set forth expressly refrains from ex-
pressing any opinion on the constitutional
question. Among other things, the re-
port says that the sections assailed by
reason Of their alleged unconstitutionality
are not so essential to the operation of
the law under which this election was
held or so inseparably connected with
its other provisions and requirements as
that even should the committee hold
that they were imperative they would
not be justified in holding that there
had been no valid election held In the
Fifth District of Virginia.
SWANSON'S TITLE CLEAR.
After disposing Of the legal and consti-
tutional question involved, the report
takes up each of the twelve precincts
concerning which any charges are made
and testimony taken, and cOnclusiyely
shows that II every claim made by the
contestant should be allowed Mr.. Swan
son would stil have remaining an incon-
testihle majority Of 1850 votes.
The CO." ittee do not undertake TO say
that an the charges made are eus-
tanned 90 proof in the record. but
merely I.st If everything that the con
testant can clam Is given him he Is
Mr Jones stated in the House that a
minority report would be made, and
asked that the minority be given until
Wednesday IN which to file their views
IL IS understood that Mr., Thomas, Of
Michigan. thinks the Walton law Is I'M
constitutional and that there was no
election In this district, but II Is not
known how many, II any, of his asso-
ciates will sign the minority report, which
As has been heretofore stated, this COM
mittee was UNANIMOUS In deciding that
Mr.. ThoTp Is entitled 10 the seat from
the Fourth District. 1t Is difficult to
understand how Mr.. Thomas could have
voted in committee TO uphold the Nir-
cinia law in the Thorp-McKenney case
and hold II unconstitutional in the Cor
nett-Swanson case
ELOQUENT NIRGINIANS.
Hon. Randolph Tucker made an elo-
ouent address before a mass-meetlng,
held at Allan's opera house, In behat OF
international arbitration.
Rev. DR.. Moses d. Hoge also spoke al
the Congress Of Religious Education.
and left for home this morning at 1851
o'clock.
The track was so heavy at Benning's
to-day that the races were no test or the
speed Of the horses. Betting is almost as
freely INDUCED in as ever
Marriage licenses were issued to-day TO
William Lvel of WeHtmoreland, and
Annie ]. Williams. of Richmond county,
Va. Thomas Watts and Kate V. Smith.
both of Westmoreland, and Jesse Davis.
of this city, and Sallie Martin, OF Dan
VILE Va.