New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-19
A DEMOCRAT OUSTED.
AIR. HOPKINS GETS THE SEAT FROM THE
XTH KENTUCKY DISTRICT
THE DECISION OF ELECTIONS COMMITTEE NO l
ovERRULED BY AN OVERWHELMING MA
JoRrrY IN THE HoUsE-pIsoRpERLY
PROCEEDINGS REBUKED BY
SPEAKER REED.
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBuNr]

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBUNE1
Washington Feb ls.-Electons Committee No l.
of which Judge Daniels of New-York. is chairman
sustained an overwhelming defeat in the House OF
Representatives to-day. when that body. by vote
OF l97 yeas 10 81 nays, reversed the committees
Judgment in the contested election Of Hopkins
(Rep) against Kendall Dem.). from the Xth Ken
lucky District. In this seven of the nine
bers OF the committee-four Republicans and three
acknowledgement that Kendall. the sitting
member. elected and entitled to the seat and
two Republicans-Messrs. Royse. Of Indiana, and
Linney. OF North Northumberland. and filed
report in favor Of Hopkins. who appeared and took
the oath OF Office soon as the result of the vote
had been announced.
The decision hinged the vote of single
county. in which, according to the official returns,
the sitting member received a majority of about
500 his majority in the entire district being about
$50 The County Clerk of Clark County. who
a Democrat allowed his partisan zeal TO carry him
beyond the confines not only OF the law but also
OF the provisions OF the State Constitution relating
10 elections. He caused to be prepared part OF
the official ballot counterfeit device or emblem
and placed II over the column containing the names
OF the regular Republican candidates. while over
g column containing the names OF candidates for
several Offices but for Representatives In Con-
gress he placed the regular legal and recognized
emblem OF the Republican party. This was done.
Of course, with intent 10 deceive iterate voters
and was a gross violation Of the plain provisions
Of the law.
Messrs Royse and Lnney contended that the
entire vote OF Clark County ought to be and must
be rejected inasmuch the sworn official who
was charged by law with the duty OF preparing
and issuing the official ballots which alone could
be used in the election. had deprived the voters OF
that county of the opportunity have and use the
official secret ballots required by the Constitution
and laws OF the State and had done in violation
0! the law and for corrupt and fraudulent pur-
pose. This contention was supported by Messrs
Royse and Ldnney in able and brilliant arguments
which commanded and held the attention OF the
House Mr.. Linneys speech. especially, won at
tention and excited great enthusiasm and applause.
appealing 5 IL did TO the sentiment in favor OF
honesty and fair play well as 10 reason ana
Judgment but his colleague fairly entitled TO
an equal share OF the honors OF the occasion.
The majority OF the committee held that the
counterfeit device in Clark County did not deceive
enough voters to change the result, and that the
fraud was not successful enough TO invalidate the
election in that county. That view OF the case
was stoutly advocated and defended In vigorous
speeches by Chairman Daniels ana MI; Moody
dep. Mass) and Mr.. Dinsmore (Dem.. Ark), but
their arguments failed 10 convince the majority
OF the House. and only nine Republicans all tod
Including the four Republican members OF the
Kendall retain mis- seat as Representative OF
the Nth Kentucky District. , -,
day drew from Speaker Reed d remonstrdnce anu
an appeal. He said that not only ex-me,nbers but
the floor and they awaited themselves 10 con-
siderable extent of these privileges during the iast
week of the session. This Increased the dllncuiy
OF preserving order, and he Appeared 10 the mouse
TO aid the transaction Of pubic business by MAIN
tanning better decorum.
The rest OF the session given up TO passage
OF bills by consent which induced the leaders to
consent 10 speedy adjournment, and at 4:S6 o'clock
the House adjourned until tomorrow