Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-11-07
IoHN T. MeaRAw

And Speaker o. g. Mckinney Give Inn
Portant Evidence Against SCOTS
Methods.
GRAFTON. w. Va, October 81
This has been busy day and an
important one in the case against
Hon N r. Scott. Some new lines
of evidence were opened, which not
only emphasized all that has been
previously said by the witnesses ex-
amined in behalf of Col. John T.
McGraw, but some new facts were
developed which lay bare the con
piracy existing upon the part of the
Republicans to force the election of
Mr.. scott to the United States Sen
ate.
One of the most important of these
new Ines was the introduction Of
Republican witnesses, who proved
the Gdmissions.after the Legislature
adjourned, of Republican Senators
who stool high in the leadership of
the Senate, that under the evidence
and the law there was no doubt in
Their minds at the time Senator Kidd
WAS unseated he was entitled to his
seat, hut that party necessity forced
them TO act contrary to law ard
right. This part, necessity was
not simply the election OF United
States Senator, because they at all
times had majority in the joint
assembly. The necessity was the
election of Scott, and Scott oniy,and
in order to eleat him they had to in
crease their majority because he
could not control under any circum-
atances the united vote of his rarty.
The subject of the contested cases
in the House was taken up in de-
tail. 1t was shown that in order 10
prevent revolutionary tactics upon
the part of Republicans more than
their full legal rights were accorded
to the Republican contestants. 1t
was shown that thu Democrats acted
from the start with view to pre-
serving at all hpzDrtls the legally
elected Legislature of the State with
out regard to lis effect upon the cleo
Lion of UniLe,i States Senator. 1t
was shown that thr Democrats act
cd from the start and throughout the
session of the Legislature acted
upon the assumption thai Scott must
be elected, even though his election
should destroy the L. gislature, pre-
vent legislation and bring about a
condition of anarchy in the State
The speech of Attorney General
Rurker in which he threatened the
committee on privileges and cleo
tions that il they acted IN accordance
with their judgement and contrary
TO the dictates of The Republican
party blood would flow in the capi-
tol. and reign of terror had been
agreed upon by the Republicans in
solemn council, was cited in proof of
this.
This was the condition of affairs
when the Republicans refused to
accede proposition of the Demo
Gratis that all the matters in contro-
versy be submitted TO the Supreme
Judges of the State, as arbltrators.
This was the condition of affairs
when the Republicans refused the
proposition made by the Democrats
to accept a proposition that would
give the Republicans clear and
undisputed majority of one on joint
ballot.
The lines of evidence that have
already been used in Charleston and
Parkersburg have been greatly
strengthened by the witnesses hero,
and Hon. John T. McGraw, who was
confident of success before, has had
that confidence increased by the tes-
timony adducei yesterday and to-
day.
The afternoon was taken up with
the evidence of Speaker Mckinney
and R w. Morrow. Speaker Nc
Kinney's testimony was given at
length and in his testimony, he re
fer:ed directly to the positive state
ments made to him by Republican
members of the Senate and House
that if the compromise agreement
was not carried out that the Repub
licans bad completed all arrange.
ment for the formation of a rnmp
Legislature and all contesting Re
publican members were present at
the time in order TO take their seats
in the rump Legislature. One of the
Republican members of the House
told Speaker Mckinney that he was
glad that the Democrats had ratified
the agreement because the Republi
can members had been instructed in
case it was not ratified, to march out
of the ball and at once organize a
rump house.
Mr.. Morrow's testimony corrobo
rated that of Mckinney in all essen
tial features
The testimony OF John T. NcGraw
consisted of a very thorough review
of all the facts IN the case. lie said
that he fully realized whca the p,op
osltion was submitted to him IS to
the compromise agreement that it
meant for him 10 abandon all hope
of Democrat being elected to the
United States Senate but that he
consented to it solely for the pur
pose of preserving aRepublican form
of government in the State of West
Virginia.
The evidence Will be closed to-
I