Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-02-03
The Partisan Scheme,

The action of the Democratic caucus
last night in the adoption of the reso.
luton favoring the pending bill to re.
quire a contestant for the office of
Governor to give bond of 1895, 900 for
the costs of the contest was 80 palpably
partisan it needs no comment to show
its animus and intent. The strictly
partisan and special motive of the eau,
Gus was indicated by the fact that it
was secretly held and that the consel.
lors who was invited to be present were
the members of the Democratic State
Executive Committee and the attorneys
who are employed by Mr.. Taylor in the
contest case.
Such an assemblage was clearly con-
cerned in the personal interest of the
Democratic contestee and the action
taken was taken with especial reference
to giving him an advantage In the con-
tention which has been raised con-
cerning the election returns for Gov
ernor. No bolder ultra partisan action
was taken at any time by the majority
In the scandalous Legislature which
overthrow the election of the people in
1894. and counted into office defeated
candidate for Governor.
The pretense that the bill to require
bond for costs is intended to pre-.
vent frivolous contests is a miserably
transparent pretense. The dominant
purposes of this bill is to throw a great
obstacle in the way Of Mr.. Tillman 8
contest, and, indeed, to cause him to
abandon his claim. If there we're any
spirit of fairness to be manifested the
partisan caucus, the Coleman commit.
tee and Mr.. Taylor's attorneys, who
have determined upon the indefensible
course marked out by the bond bill,
would have made the provisions apply
to future contests, but the impelling
purpose Of the caucus to promote Mr..
Taylor's claim and drive Mr.. Tillman
from the contest was made the excuse
for disregarding every principle of JUS.
tice and refusing the Republican can.
didate the privilege accorded to Con
testant Turney under law which was
enacted by Democrats 10 govern the
contest of two years ago.
The theory Of this. partisan caucus,
which so closely advised with the
Coleman committee and Mr.. Taylor g
attorneys, is that the enactment of the
bond for costs bill will compel Mr..
Tillman to withdraw from the contest.
The assumption of the caucus majority
is that the partisan power remorseless-
ly exercised to deprive Mr.. Tillman Of
the privileges accorded Governor Tur-
7ey by the contest law will deter Mr..
Tillman from assuming risk of heavy
costs that by like partisan decision
would be placed upon him, no matter
how strong the evidence he can bring
to show in regard to the enormous
frauds that were perpetrated to cheat
him In the election. If this bond for
costs bill be passed to apply to the
present contest, the m achine will laugh
in its brass jointed sleeves and say,
"Ah, ha, Mr.. Republican,; now prose-
cute your contest at your peril. / can
change the law to suit my partisan
purpose and l have the power to de-
clare your contest frivolous and mulct
you in a fine of S25, 900 for your temeri-
ty."
1t is to the credit of Senator Canada
and and some other Democratic men,
bers who are reported to have vigor-
ously opposed the caucus resolution,
that they had the courage and the wis
dom to combat the reckless partisan
scheme. Mr.. Canada was right, if he
is reported correctly, when he said the
caucus was endeavoring to deprive q
citizen OF constitutional righ and
seeking ITO do by indirection what it
could not do by direction" He was
right in characterizing the bill as un-
fair and unjust. But it is to be hoped
that Mr.. Canada and others who op-
posed the caucus action because it was
unfair and unjust have been incorrectly
reported as saying they would agree to
support the unfair and unjust bill
should the caucus approve OF it. Cau-
Gus approval of an unfair and unjust
measure can not make it fair and Just.
Nashville Banner.