The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-21
The YOST-TUCKER CONTEST.
A Heated Discussion Over the Matter
in the House.
YOST APPEARS IN HIS OWN BEHALF.
Tucker VIII Speak To-Day and Prese n
His >ide-A Member of the Committee
Undertakes to Pas on the Fairness
of the Election Law.


mittce on Elections No. 3. and
the majority Of the Republican members
recommended that Tucker be permitted TO
retain his seat Messrs. Walker (Rcp. of
Virginia. and Thomas Rop. of Michigan
reported that Nost was entitled TO the
seat.
THE POINT IN DISPUTE.
The point in dispute was as 20 the
counting OF certain Imperfect ballots.
which the State law declared should be
thrown out II they were counted Yost
would have small majority; If not,
Tucker would have small majority.
The majority were Of the opinion that
they came I'm fatal conflict with the law
Gnd should be rejected the minority said
that as the intent of the voter could bc
determined from them, they should he
counted
Mr. Yost spoke IN his own behalf. and
a majority Of the Elections Committee
spoke in favor OF the committees report
declaring Mr.. Tucker entitled TO his scat.
Mr. Cadding, OF Pennsylvania, opened
tho debate I'm favor of Mr.. Tucker. lie
held that there had been no evidence
Of fraud, but that the election law of
the State had been complied with
DENOUNCES THE WALTON LAW
Mr.. Yost then took tho floor, by con-
sent Cf the House and made a very strong
speech I'm opposition to the committees
action. He denounced the Walton law as
unfair and productive Of political corrup-
tion, and in support Of his contention
read several editorials from The Times
lie argued that tho throwing out of bal
lots which should have been counted for
him had alone enabled the election off
cials and the Elections Committee to show
a plurality I'm Mr.. fuckers favor.
TO PURIFY ELECTIONS.
lie spoke Of the efforts that have been
made to purify election methods. and
said: The honest men Of every political
faith are standing together in a common
effort TO secure honest elections. He
described the effect Of dishonest cleo
tions, and how, in his opinion they de-
bauched electors. stined public conscience,
ana perverted public sentiments The
adoption Of the committees report would
be practical endorsement by the House
of the methods which are being contended
against by the men who wish 10 purify
the election methods of the State
AT the conclusion OF his speech. Mr..
Yost was warmly congratulated by Re
publican members
IN fuckers FAVOR.
Representative jenkins. Republican
member Of the Elections Committee.
spoke I'm favor OF the report. lie said
that the committee had decided that Mr..
Tucker had been elected. and he was op-
posed 10 allowing partisan prejudice TO
affect the decision of the House.
Tie had heard that there was no honesty
I'm Southern elections. II the charge rests
on no better foundation than those made
against the validity Of Mr.. fuckers cleo
tion, he was satisfied there was no reason
for IT, lie referred 10 the published re-
ports Of proceedings I'm am election contest
in Ponnsy ivanla. whore every one is
reformer. he said. and declred that moth
ing nearly so bad had come within his
knowledge, ass occurring in the South.
no FRAUD.
In the case OF Mr.. Tucker there had
been no fraud ana the contestant could
only Dee seated by counting votes. which.
in the judgment Of the committee. could
not be legally counted lie held that the
House had no right to slt In judgment on
the law of Virginia. regulating elections
in the State. The House could only de-
termine whether or not the law had been
complied with.
The law itself had been passed upon
by the Supreme Court Of the state. ana
must be considered as the only standard
by which The validity Of the election
could be judged.
There had not been. be said a particle
OF evidence before the committee TO sub
stantlate the charges made by Mr. Yost
An agreement was reached TO take
nff ru Ia g 4 ~.
TUCKER MAY BE rsSEATED.
The impression prevails tonight that
AIr. Tucker win be unseated. Mr.. Yosts
speech made a deep impression upon Re
publican members. as dld also the argu-
ments Of General GrosTonor and Mr.
Daniels. The latter's proposition. that
Congress has q right TO decide whether
the election law Of State affords an OPP
portunty for n free and full expression
Of the popular will Is regarded by the
Southern members and by some OF the
Republicans as prerosterous
Mr.. Mccall. the chairman Of the Elec-
tions Committee. will tomorrow reply
10 the arguments that have been made I'm
favor Of Yost. and Mr.. Tucker Will speak
in his own behalf.
General Walker win speak for Mr. Yost
Nearly all the Republican leaders Of the
State were present during the debate
They were Judge Edmund Waddiu ex-
Representatives Bowden, Brady. and Lib
hey. Park Agnew, OF Alexandria and
Morgan Treat. Of West Point.
(By United Associated Presses)
WASHINGTON. D. c., Jan. 2O-The
majority Of the House Elections Commit
tee find in the Tucker-YOst election case
that fuckers majority was POI. the mi
nority that Yosts majority was 1885, The
election was the first one held under the
Walton Australian ballot law Of Virginia.
Mr. COddlng (Rep. OF Pennsylvania
made the first speech I'm favor Of the COM
mittee's report The speech OF Mr. Cod
ding revealed the fact that beside The
loss OF votes due 10 the rejection OF i'm
perfect ballots. as required by the Wal
ton law. in view of the majority. the
contestant claimed 10 have suffered from
the failure TO appoint competent ana
proper Republican election officers In
some precincts. and by the Illegal actions
Of election cOnstables IN other precincts
in connection with their aid TO illiterate
and incapable voters In the preparation
OF their ballots.
Mr.. COddng was followed by the con-
testant. Representative-elect Yost. who
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 represen-