Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14

and thus securing to his party friends
the control of that body. The Re-
publican Governor also took hand,
going SO far as to wire to defeated
Republican, candidate in Marion coun-
ty to BE- sure to make a contest, as it
was necessary for the success of the
party, and assuring him that the ex-
pense would not fall upon him, but
wound be borne by somebody else.
When the Legislature assembled it
was found that the Republicans still
lacked enough votes to control the
joint assembly, and they Immediately
set about Matching up scheme by
which the desired majority could be
secured.
The Kidd Case.
Among the newly-elected senators
was Hon. R. F.. Kidd, of the Fourth
district, a Democrat, and in casting
about for some Democrat of whom to
make a victim, the Republican eye fell
upon him as good subject. Not that
they nd not like Mr.. Kidd, or that they
thou~ht his title to a seat less strong
tnan at of any other newly-elected
Democrat, but just that they needed
seat held by some Democrat, and
happened to think of him. So his
election was attacked, he was thrown
out, after being sworn in and seated,
and one Norris, resident of the
Fourth district, indeed, but having no
other claim to the seat, was seated in
his place. This took place on Janu-
airy %, 1899; on January 20, 1899, the
election for United States senator was
held and N. B. Scott, Republican ma
chine candidate, was declared elected;
on February z, 1899, Senator Kidd was
allowed to resume his seat, without
being sworn in again, and he drew his
pay as senator from the first day of
the session to its close. No evidence
was taken in his case during the time
of his suspension. and no Republican
raised an objection against his being
reseated. The United States Senator
had been elected meantime, and the
urgent need for a Republican majority
having passed, the Republicans were
pleased to return for the time being
to the patti of decency:
The Dent-Brohard Case. \
In 1898 w. R. D. Dent and H. f.
Brohard were candidates for the House
of Delegates in Taylor county, the for
mer a Democrat. the latter a RI BIZ BIZ
can. The retuFH4s made by the cleo
ton Officers showed that Mr.. Brohard
received a majority of 81 votes, but
before the result was declared by the
commissioners Dent demanded re-
count, which. being accorded him.
showed that he had received 81 more
votes than Brohard. There was va
cancy in the board of commissioners
of the county, leaving but two mem
bers, and these members caused the
record of the recount t. be spread upon
the record book, and a certificate to
be issued to Dent, which one of the
commissioners signed. The other com
missioner refused to sign the record
or to sign Dents certificate, but at a
later day, at the instance and direc-
ton of A. B. White, Republican can
didate for Governor, had the record
made up according to the returns OF
the precinct election officers, and
caused certificate to be issued to
Brohard, which he signed. Both GER
ttficates were sent to the secretary OF
state, VINO, being Republican, and
chairman of the State executive com
mittee, placed Brohard's name upon
the roll of members of the House. Dent
Instituted contest proceedings, and the
House, having Democratic majority,
decided that neither claimant having
certificate properly signed by two
commissioners, neither had a prima
facie right to the seat, and sent com
mittee to make a recount of the bal.
lots, and determine who had the lega-
title. The committee went to Grafton
recounted the ballots. and found thai
Dent had a majority of "a. The re.
/ port, together with resolution tt
seat Dent, was made to the House OF
January %, and the House could east.
ly have proceeded to pass the resolu.
ton and seat Dent in time to make
his vote available in the election of {
United States senator. But the Re
publican managers, seeing that the
Democrats would have majority OF
joint ballot unless some action could
be taken to stop them, had become des.
perate, and freely gave it out that they
would expel Democrats from the
Senate until they secured a majority
on joint ballot. if they had to turr
out every Democrat in that body. II