Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-21
YOST-TUCKER CASE.
FEATURES OF Yesterdays FE-
DERAL HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
ATTACK OH VIRGINIA ELECTION LAW.


WASHINGTON. ID. c., January %
tSpecial)-The feature of fo-day's ses-
sion of the House was the Tucker
contested election case from the Tenth
Virginia District. There were two re-
ports from Elections Committee No. 3.
that OF the majority being in favor Of
Tucker. the sitting member. and that
OF the minority. which was presented
By General James y. Walker Republi-
cam. Of Virginia, in favor OF Yost. the
contestant There was only about
quorum OF the House present. but on
the floor and occupying members seats
were numerous friends OF Yost. whom
he had marshalled to aid him in secnr-
ing, IT, possible. the salary for the two
years ending March 4th next. and the
expenses Of the contest Among these
was Colonel James d. Brady. Judge
Edmund Waddill and ex-Congressman
George +. Bowden.
Mr. Yost himself. being an ex-mem-
Der. was accorded the privilege OF the
floor, which he took advantage of 20
|
was done on motion Of General Walker,
and there being no objection and Yost
made a bitter attack on the Virginia
| election laws. He failed, however, 20
show that ballot printed In German
script could have made any difference 10
the majority of his own constituents.
who could not read ballot printed in
any sort Of type
Yost was applauded by the Republicans
| occupied an hour IN its delivery. Rep
resentatlve Tucker will reply Tomorrow,
and a vote viii be taken at 4:9O J.. NJ.
The majority Of the Elections Commit
toe find that fuckers majority was 22i:
the minority that Yosts majority was
7SG.
The election was the first one held
| under the Walton Australian ballot law
Of Virginia.
MIR. CCDDING'S SPEECH.
Mr. Goddlng Republican,, Of Pennsyl-
| vania, made the first speech in favor OF
| the committee report.
The speech Of Mr.. Codding revealed
| the fact that beside the loss Of votes
due to the rejection Of imperfect ballots
| as required by the Walton law in the
view OF the majority the contestant
claimed to have suffered from the failure
to appoint competent and proper Repub-
! lican election officers in some precincts,
| and by the Illegal actions of election
| cOnstables In other precincts, i'm connec-
ton with their aid TO illiterate and in
capable voters in the preparation Of their
ballots.
Mr.. Coddlng was followed by the con-
testant, Represcntative-elect Yost. VINO
was granted the privilege Of the floor by
unanimous consent of the House. His
| speech proceeded upon the theory that
| the rejected ballots in dispute should be
| counted for himself. asserting that they
| had been treated as valid throughout the
| contest by the contestee'S representative
| and by the committee itself They had
| been I'm large part counted for himseli
by Democratic election officers, as plainly
indicating the purport and intention Of
| the voters.
Passing from the legal questions In
volved in the consideration Of the
| ballots, Mr.. Yost devoted some time 20
the allegation that the special election
| constables appointed 10 aid illiterate and
| physically incompetent voters in the pre-
paration of their ballots. instead Of being
| the help that the voters had right 10
expect became instruments OF their dis
| REIMBURSEMENT Their conduct he
| charged. was In furtherance Of con-
spiracy on the part OF the Democratic
| leaders and managers to prevent illite-
| that must be counted. 30, IL was
noble battle" said Mr.. Yost, in an Inn
passioned manner, "in which the chival-
| rous Nirginians were engaged me
highwayman is engaged I'm more honor
able practice" applause on RepuDhcan
side.) ,,
Mr.. Yost concluded with a fervid APP
peal for justice. THE stigma OF loui
elections dlsgraced and debauched the
he
Influence paralyzed the public con-
science. But now, thank God, in Viz
einla. at least, the shock OF this cleo
tion aroused the people from their
stupor. The fear Of negro rule mas DIS
appeared But despite the scour6e OF
pubiic opinion, the guilty tricksters sun
dare to bring their infamy TO the doors
of Congress. If you accept the result
of their Vaccinations. you approve their
methods and give them FRESH license
MR.. JENKINS.
Mr.. Jenkins Q2epuDhcanj, Of Wiscon-
sin said he and three other Republ-
can members Of the Elections Commit
tee had come to the conclusion that
H. contestee mir Tucker. was enti-
tied TO retain his seat And this con
clusion he intended to defend and main
toin even II afterward he were called
Massachusetts, mugwump. UaughterJ
Much had been charged oil fraud IN
tbis election. and in others that had
ACQUIRED i'm the South; but nothing In
any southern election brought beIore
Elections Committee No. approached
~ disprace and unlawfulness what he
had read IN the papers to-day had oc-
Cured i'm Pennsylvania, where ne uh-
derstood all the voters 20 be reformers.
There was not enough fraud In the eiec-
ton under consideration TO hang yell
low dog; and yet for that. the House was
asked 10 declare the contestee not entl-
tied 10 his seat. at.
Mr. Grosvenor Repubican), of Ohio
snola for Mr. Yost. He argued that the
House was not to be circumscribed or
i,r,t,ed I'm the exercise of its right TO en-
D',,,f INTO the election Of IT'S members by
a statute. He asserted that the case was
S,ll Of fraud. despite the statements TO
The contrary. and he appealed to mem
Sore not To- sustain 1t by their votes. III
thev did. they should never again pirate
If the lack of purity Of elections In the
South. ,.,
His speech was frequently interrupted
nv the applause of his Republican col
leagues.
Mr.. Daniels Republican,, Of New York
chairman of Elections Committee No. l.
made a strictly legal argument TO sustain