Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-22
In FAVOR OF WISE.
REPORT OF SUBCOMMITTEE ON
CONTEST AGAINST YOUNG.
MINORITY GIVEN TEN DAYS.
Judge Burk, of Texas, VIII Make nm
Able Presentation of Contestee's
Side Raleigh ENTHUSIASTICALLY
Fight-Charges Against Bailey.
'tntion of Contestee's

WASHINGTON. ID. C.. March 21.-(Spe
ciaL)-This was private-bill day In the
House but Immediately after the read
ing of the journal. Representative Mesick
Of Michigan, chairman Of the Sub-Com.
! mittee Of Elections Committee No 8
which has had charge OF the Wise Young
contest from the Seventh Virginia Dis
trfct, reported the case to the House
favorably for the contestant. Judge
Burk, of Texas, the Democratic member
of the subcommittee, will now prepare
the minority report in favor of Repre-
sentative Young. and for this the minority
have been given ten days. 1t is said
that the majority report was prepared
by one of the contestants counsel. a
former Richmond lawyer, now a resi-
dent OF New York,
The minority has a strong case. and
Judge Burk will make an able presenta-
ton Of Representative Young's side,
which will have considerable weight,
even with the Republican members of
the House.
Mesick's alleged report is volumlnOus,
and shows the ear-marks OF the former
Richmond lawyer above referred to- The
evidence is classified under five different
heads, as follows:
Il Evidence taken at a number of pre-
cincts TO show that the contestant re-
ceived a larger number of votes than was
returned for him.
z. Evidence taken at a number of pre-
cincts to show such fraud on the part
OF election officers as compels the com
mittee TO throw out the returns alto
gether.
80. Evidence taken al a number Of pre-
cincts TO show that a large number Of
voters, who were qualified, present, and
using every effort 10 exercise their right
of franchise, were hindered, delayed, and
prevented from doing so.
H. Evidence touching a number OF pre-
cincts showing fraud on the part of the
election officers in that their respective
returns for contestant were less in each
instance than the ballots which they
had been called upon TO prepare for
voters for contestant.
70. Frauds and irregularities at a num-
Der Of precincts which do not fall under
these other classifcations."
OUR ELECTION LAW.
The Executive recommendation to the
virginia Legislature last December con-
corning the operation Of the law is quoted
as follows:
Il respectfully recommend material
changes in our election laws The pres
ent statute is by no peans satisfactory
to vast majority of the people Of the
State, and opposition to It is not confined
to any political party. The integrity Of
our elections is questioned and our sys-
TEN is impeached. There are, in the ex-
listing act, provisions which make fraud
easy, and tend to cast suspicion upon the
elections, as well as upon the purposes of
the act 1t virtually DISTINGUISHES many
and opens wide the door for corruption
and dishonesty"
Mesick's report concludes as follows:
In our opinion the vote OF the Second
District at the election OF
1886, if fairly received and
counted, would show Or. Wise's majority
as large as that which is here accorded
him. We are of the opinion that from
the returns the following should be de-
Quoted: Vote Of ten precincts, as above
set forth. s,5l7; vote Of fourteen precincts.
as above set forth, ] 1856; making a total
Of 1852, and that TO the vote returned for
DR.. Wise should be added an increased
vote in forty-four precincts, as above set
forth, Of 2357. The vote at twenty-nine
precincts. 1889, should be excluded. These
deductions from Mr.. Young's and addi- !
lions to DR.. Wise's vote entitle DR.. Wise !
70 his seat by a majority Of 5,l19."
THORP-EPES CASE.
An effort will be made TO take up the |
contest, from the Fourth Dis |
riot, in the House tomorrow, but it is |
believed this evening that it will be |
STAYED OFF, by the Introduction of the |
naval appropriation bill, and it is proba- |
lie that none OF the Virginia contests will |
,e acted upon until after the 1st of next |
month. Mr.. Epes has an exceptionally |
trong case, and he is a Woodworking
md popular representative, esteemed
like by Republicans and Democrats.