Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-21
SEATS IN CONTEST
House Leaders Intend to Expedite
the Cases.
TO PREVENT GRAVE ABUSES
Investigation Of Violence Attending
Elections.
BLOODY SCENES RECALLED

The announcement that It will he the
policy Of the House leaders at the coming
session to expedite contested election cases
gives general satisfaction to republican
members who discuss the subject. II is
realized that grave abuses have occurred
In the past from delay in passing upon the
Contestiug claims for a seat in the House.
Not only have men been kept out of their
seats when they should have been partici-
ratlrg In legislation. but the government
has been put TO unnecessary expense.
II Il recalled that in the Fifty-fourth
Congress contest was allowed to drag
through both sessions. until two days be
fore the dissolution of the Congress. The
cuntestee drew $4,000 in salary. less the
salary for two days. together with his con-
test fee Of 5000 As the contestant was
allowed $1,000 salary and 81, 900 fee. it was
an expensive Job for the government.
Another advantage, however, in passing
upon these cases early this session IL point
II out As the rou now stands. the repub-
litanS have a majority Of only thirteen
votes I'm the House II any democrats are
- b. unscated-and some, it is said, Ger
tIIuly will be-ip justice it Is urged that
they be put out Of action early in the pro-
C.-diusS and their places filled by the re
pUhHCaRS entitled To a vote the roll
calls OF the House.
II Is considered doubtful whether more
llTA one tltCIlotl cpDlGuLlee VIII De dp-
pointed for this session In the Fifty-fourth
Congress. when there were thirty-four con-
tests, three committees Were appointed and
We're continued during the Fifty-hfth Con-
greSs, when there were twenty-one contests.
Ten Contests.
This year there are nominaly ten con-
tests. but it is thought that only eight will
prove troublesome. IN the fifth Kentucky
district. Evans republican, against Turner
~
-rIdgeship. and the contest will probably be
dropped In the eleventh Kentucky dis
trict the contest is between Two republi-
cans. Boreing and White, and the political
complexion Of the House would not b
changed by the outcome.
Neither is it certain that ali Of the con-
tests viii be decided against the ,defno-
cratic contested In the Mississippi case,
52r instance. Jones against Catchings. it is
animated that Gen. CatChings. the demo-
cTat, has a strong ease, which. added to
has great personal popularity. Will make
IN his favor.
Scenes q! Bi"Od>hed Recalled.
Three Of the contested election cases will
recall scenes of bIoodshed attending or fol-
lowing the Congressional election These
are Tal5ert against Latimer, from the third
South Carolina; Walker again Rhea. from
the ninth Virginia. and Dockery agains,
Bel!amy. from the sixth North Carolina.
The Talberts. it VIII be remembered. were
run OUT Of the district after there had
h~eu several killings. No briefs have been
lieu IN this case. and Il is understood that
Id-hert viii ask for a congressional com
MISSION 10 visit the scene and take evi-
Qeu-- on the plea that he would tadanper
Ms me BY attempting TO secure ii.
N The DCCkery-Btliamy affair The. killing
q i number Of IL groes at Wilmington was
Toy Connected directly with the election.
although the trouble followed the excite
M Mt ergeudered by the campaign
III tn "dlker-T2hcst matter. Gen. Walker
vas snoL while taking testimony In his
contest. but recovered.
Another contested case is AIdrich reprF1-
J.. an. against Robbins, from the fourth
A.abaInt. Aldrich has been through a sue
ceSSiW contest before, and it l. claimed in
ais behalf that h has even q better asa
than he had in the last Congress Then
there IS Wise. republican. against Young,
from the second Virginia district and
DAVIS. republican, against Gilbert from
the eighth Kentucky