The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-07

CHICAGO. FEB. "A Washington spe-
cisl says: Complications have arisen
which may furnish q dramatic interruption
20 the counting OF the electoral votes next
Wednesday Representative George Wash
insfon Murray, The only co2ored member
OF tns house. VINO represents me Cnaries-
ton, >. G. cistrict. has Just returned from
South Carolina. where De was in consuita-
ton with leading Republicans He IS
armed with petitions signed by thousands
OF Republicans protesting EgainS. count
ing the electoral vote and asking for an
investigation Of the election laws and he
state constitution The claim Is made that
the elecfion. laws and the state cons5tru-
ikon upon ~nach they are based are not IN
accord with the Federal constitution. The
dispute over the vote of South Carolina
cannot be ignored. Precedent shows that
when such q protest is entered the count
must Immediately stou until the point IS
settled Whatever immediate result tais
attempt 10 discFedit South Carolina : vo;e
may have. there is no doubt that the pro-
gramme 20 be thus dramatically inaugu-
rated is part Of a far-reacatng scheme on
the part OF several Southern Republicans
20 overthrow the registration and election
laws Of various Southern states wnere ne
groeS predomInats hut their vote IS not
factor. the purpose being 10 secure either
Republican domination In these southern
states or to reduce Democratic representa-
ton in congress.
senator Honr on the Law.
WASHINGTON, Feb s.-%Senstor Hoar.
chairman Of the senate committee or ju-
dietary vas asked to express an oponson
upon the question as 10 the effect OF The
objection 10 counting the electoral votes
OF South Carolina, sIch as Is threatened by
the report Of G. W. Murray, who has
charge Of a petition alleging frauds IN
South Carolina IN the presidential election.
He said:
The whole matter is covered BY the act
OF February 3. 1887 which prescribes very
clearly the proceedings in case n ohjec-
ton is made 70 counting the vote OF any
particular state. The law provides fer OBJ
Jectlons. but Il requires that all objections
be Ia writing. clearly setting forth the
objection without argument. and that they
be signed by at least one senator as well
as at least one representative. II Is fur
ther provided that no returns shall be re-
5ected from any state unless there are
more than one return. and when there are
more than one Il 10 directed that those only
shall be counted which shall have been reg
uiariy given by the electors who shall
have been chosen according 20 law. Each
state provides it's own tribunal for deter
mining the results Of its action fer presi-
Dental electors. and when this tribunal
has made its return the governor OF the
state IL required to certify the result OF
this action In case any objection is made
which renders it necessary for the two
houses separately 10 pass upon the ques-
ton involved the determination Of the
matter must rest upon the judgment OF
the returning board OF the state. We could
not go into the legality OF the returning
board"
Senator Hoar expressed the opinion that.
II put 70 the test. the Law would be found
adequate and AL woul3 work out right"
lie declined 10 express IN more direct
terms hts opinion as 10 the policy Of max
ing such objection as Murray Is said TO
contemplate
Representative Murray has been appeal
ed 70 by bis associates In the house not 10
execute his programme OF protesting
South Carolina's electoral vote. and Il is
likely that he viii abide by their advice
member. IL Is stated tonight. was not IN
known 20 the Democratic members here
TiIIman on the situation.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 6-Senator TIL
man. Of South Carilfna said today with
considerable emphasis tha; y Mckinley is
gSsng 70 be inauguratad IN March the vote
Of South Carolina would have 10 be count
81 next week. He asserted that opposition
20 counting the vote had behind 4
scheme TO reduce Southern representation
in congress and IN the electoral college
and declared that II the Republicans IN
tended 20 make an attack upon South Car
oisna's state constitution lt must be done
TO prevent the counting Of her vote FOR