The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-13
PEARSON CRAWFORD CONTEST
now REPUBLICANS GET SOUTHERN
CONGREssMEN.

Contests for Seats Are Made Purely
Party Matters-Thc judicial EIe-
ment Which Should BE Uppernxnst,
Is LacLing-SOme of Those Who
Take Part in the Contests for Seats
in Congress and Their Character
ishcs.
Wilmington, May 12-The contest over
seat In the House of Representatives
ought theoretically to be strictly judicial
proceeding, but as a matter of fact ID be-
comss anything but that in ninety-nine
cases out of a hundred. Early in the con-
sidera ton of the case, the committee hav-
ing it in charge divides on political lines,
and this division is maintained until the
fins otS is taken in the House.
There are some Republicans in the South
who stand accused of making a regular
business of this breaking into Congress by
the contest route and their political oppo-
nents do not hesitate to charge that some
of them have absolutely no other claim to
prominence than that which is secured by
posing as political martyrs and in this
war securing congressional salaries.
However that may be-whatever may be
tne merits III the INDIVIDUAL cdSe-tne
fight over the seat is always interesting.
Two eminent citizens of North Carolina
had their innings at it this week. Hon.
Richmond Pearson was the contestant in
this case and Hon. George T. Crawford
the contestee. The committee had divided
on political lines. The Republicans charg
ed Encouragement and intimidation and
fraud, while the Democrats claimed that
none of these things had been shown-that
Rhe election officers throughout The
= district were Mr.. Pearson's political
= riends and not his enemies and InaS Ine
Jnly lawlessness cited was the lynching
of a negro who had committed a criminal
assault of horrible character upon thu
wife of prominent white minister ane
that the news of this lynching could not
as was claimed, have affected the election
results.
Long Legal Arguments.
In the reports the legal arguments were
extended. One of the highest trump cards
played by the Democrats was found in
the declaration of the Republican Cover
nor OF North Carolina, which was decid
eddy derogatory to the claims of martryr-
dom put up by the uncle of the kissing
Mr. Hobson of the navy
There were legal points involved which
nobody seemed to care to follow. The de-
bate was almost entirely political and
was sufficiently interesting TO draw good
crowds. 1t brought out a new man from
Massachusetts, Mr.. Roberts, whose home
is at Chelsea, and who was born down in
Maine. Mr.. Roberts had not been heard
by the House before and there was some
interest in him on this account. He is one
of the statesmen with a pompadour. Sem
ator Clay of Georgia is another, but there
are very few of them left. The pompa-
dour seems to have gone out of fashion in
the halls of craftsmanship. Mr.. Roberts
is a man of medium hight with a rather
Straggly brown moustache and wears the
spectacles which fond Bos on and Chel-
sea mothers place upon their progenity
as soon as weaving time has come. AS
MIR. Roberts made the opening speech for
the contestant, Mr.. Pearson sat by his
side and large array of law books was
on the desk in front of him. When Mr..
Roberts gets excited, he gestures with
the fingers of his hands spread apart, a
rather peculiar mannersm which l do
not remember to have seen on any other
member of Congress.
Sparrfng for Advantage.
During the early part of these election
contests there is always sparrng for
advantage In this instance the Demo-
or IT'S asked for four hours in which to
present their side of the case, while the
Republicans thought three ought to be
enough. The Republicans on the other
Pearson make a speech In his own be-
half. The Democrats were willing for this
but were unwilling that Mr.. Pearson
should make the last speech, that is
without allowing an answer. Mr. Dalzel
or Pennsylvania was in the chair and
during the sparring back and forth, Mr..
Miers of Indiana, who represented the
Democratic end of the committee found
himself the center of an Interesting group
or Democrats who watched the proceed
ings very closely and made suggestions
10 the man who was acting for the minor
lty. There was Richardson Of Teunessee
the Democratic leader towering several
inches above everybody else; by his side
a. niue McAler of Philadelphia with smooth
Ia e and gray Harlan ems mble tnat
ny might mark him for an actor;
Underwood of Alabama, the Dem
pcratic whip; Howard Of Georgia, keen
ed and alert, man whose Judgment
In colleagues always rely on; briggs
fitzgelard and Glynn Of New York, and
other Democrats.
Roberts. the Republican leader was
coached by Payne of New York. chairman
Of the Ways and Means Committee: bv
Judge Linney of North Carolina, who
manifested a great interest in the contest /;
by white-whiskered Gen. GrosveUor. whose
seat was near at hand; ard by Senator
Frltchard, who sat just back CT Mr. Rob
eerts, his big, white SLOUGH hat resting on
his lap.
Effort Cor an Agreement.
Time and again there was an effort for
an agreement before one was reached In
.he meantime Mr.. Roberts was followe |
by Judge Miers of Indiana, who made the
minority report, q tall hne-ooking felix
with gray hair and mustache, who has i'm
pressed himself upon Congress- 10y his ear
Hestness and his ability. Judge Miers was
arrayed for the occasion In his Prince AL
Dert coat and immaculate white tie and ev-
Mehtly felt the Importance of his position.
ne IN turn was followed by Kitchin of
North Carolina, tall, hand some young
4ehow with smooth, classical facs and
%ayy black hair--dressed In black broa :
Vioth and looking for all the world like
u,e young hero OF some story by joel
handler Harris or Thomas Nelson Psge.
N,chin is prolific with gestures in debate
ana Is an excellent talker The election
methods in his state were assailed by the
majority report and he was there to de-
lend then,