Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-05-04
THE SEATING OF MIR. SCOTT.

THE SEATING OF MIR. SCOTT.
Hon. N. B. Scott has been confirmed
by the Senate of the United States in
his claim to seat in that body, and
SO far as that fact goes the case is set
tied. Settled wrongfully, but ended.
But it is neither settled nor ended so
far as the people of West Virginia
or the cause of justice are concerned.
In the words of Lincoln, no matter is
ever settled finally until it is settled
right, and the action of the United
States Senate in admitting to . seat
in that body claimant against whom
had been filed a protest by majority
of the Legislature whose province IL
was to elect will be resented by the
people of West Virginia at the first
opportunity. Fair play is a jewel, but
the play in this case was not fair. and
neither the action Of the Senate nor the
eloquent generalities of Senator Ell
kins can rob Mr.. McGr1w Of his right
in the premises or satisfy the people
that anything akin to justice has been
done.
The Senate Committee on Privileges
and Elections never properly invcstl-
gated this case. The evidence OF cred
lble witnesses, taken in a lawful man
ner, throwing o clear light upon the
Justice Of Mr.. McGraw's claim, was ex-
Guided from the case upon the ground
that such testimony had not been al
thorized by either the Senate nor its
committee. The truth is this evidence
was not desired. 1t was a case where
the facts, if presented and acknowl-
edged, would have maintained the
claims Of the contestant, and therefore
the evidence. as far as Mr.. Scott was
concerned, was better ont than in.
AS q result it went out. Senator Ell
l.ins informs the Senate that this evil
dence took the form Of eX-parte affi-
davits. taken hap-hazard here and
here before a Justice Of the Peace, or
a Notary Public, or some Judge selected
by the remonstrant." Mr.. Elk.ns aud
those who stand with him thus lido
behind a purely technical point, The
evidence was there. but because it was
not authorized by the Senate it coUld
not be considered! And upon this
ground, it being cast aside, there was
q verdict for the defendant. Mr.. Scott.
This lacks the essential element of
Justice and constitutes an outrage up
or Right. The history of the West
Virginia Senatorial contest, as COM
piled by Mr. McGraw, is the history of
a crime by Republicans, and the facts
are well known. Mr.. Scott is Senator,
but not a Senator having a clear title
He got his Office from the body in
which he now holds a seat, and not
from the legally elected Representa-
tivcs of the people of West Virginia.
He may be satisfied with that honor"
rhe people win not be. To reach the
goal of ambition by any means, fair
Dr. foul, may be accounted success, but
it is not the sort of victory to win
popular applause.
Senator Elkins made some surpris-
ing statements in his speech of last
Monday on this case. Most astonish-
ms was the remark:
Mr. President, all this talk about
fraud, conspiracy and wrongdoing
finds it's place in the Senate of the
United States and not in the State of
West Virginia. There is no Democrat
In the State of West Virginia who says
there was any fraud or any conspiracy
Or - wrongdoing. There never was
scandal about the election
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Rgue until the debate be-
20 Senate Of the United