The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-10
THE pEARsoN-CRAwFoRD CASE
Debate on the Election Contest IN
the House.

Debate on the Election Contest IN
the House.
The House devoted its session yesterday
to consideration Of the election contest
Of Pearson against Crawford, brought to
the House from the Ninth Congressional
district of North Carolina. Directly after
the disposition of The morning routine,
Mr. Roberts, from the Committee on Elec-
lions, No. g. called up the following reso
luton, which was reported on February 8:
Resolved, That William 7. Crawford was not
elected Representative TO the Fiity-sixth Con-
gress from the Ninth district OF North Carolina,
and is not entitled to seat therein; and
Resolved, That Richmond Pearson was elected =
Representative to the Fifty sixth Congress from
the Ninth district o: North Carolina, and is en-
titled to the seat.
Mr.. Roberts in the presentation Of the
case to the House, recited that the official
returns as certified by the Secretary of
State of North Carolina show for Crawford.
! 1866 votes; for Pearson, 1855 votes; for
Boggs, SO votes; making plurality for
Crawford over Pearson of 23S votes. 1t
was set forth that the contestee comedies
clerical error Of ten votes made by the
clerk Of Cherokee county. A recount Of the
ballots cast at Muddy Creek precinct, Nc
Dowell county showed that, either by de-
sign or accident, the votes cast for the con-
testant and contestee at that precinct were
transposed. The correction of this err
ror, or fraud. said Mr.. Roberts, reduced
the plurality of the contestee to Els. 1t
was set forth that In his notice of contest
the contestant alleged that there was a
fixed determination on the part of the
Democratic leaders In the State to carry
the election, If not by one means, then by
s. Ii
certed plan all political and economical
questions were ignored by the press and
public speakers of the Democratic party,
who made the campaign on the race issue
solely. and who thus made it campaign.
not of argument and elaboration, but of
passion. rancor and terrorism, resulting in
many lawless acts, in bloodshed, and in
breaches Of the peace. in the breaking up
Of political meetings, in the breaking up
and staying of elections, whereby many
Republicans were prevented from exercis
ing the right to vote guaranteed by the
Constitution of the United States. and by
the constitution and laws Of the State Of
Nor h Carolina"
Fir. Roberts stated that he would move
to credit the vote of Asheville u63 votes)
to Crawford, the Democratic sitsingJ mem-
Der. which the report gave 10 Pearson
This would still leave the latter's plurality
155. He said he was moved to do this
because it had come to his knowledge that
many members we're OF the opinion that
it was necessary to reject the vote Of Ashe-
vile, the contestants home. in order 20
make his case That was not true, and
the motion would be made at the request
of the contestant. And he asked that the
debate close at o'clock.
Directing to this, Mr.. Miers said he was
glad to see that Mr.. Roberts was begin
ming to see the handwriting on the wall.
But there were other points tnan the Ashe-
vile vote which would trouble him. The
minority could agree to no arrangement
that would give them less than four
hours.
Mr. Richardson made the point of order
that committees report could not be
amended in the House. as Mr.. Roberts
proposed. and the point was sustained.
In the argument In favor Of Mr.. Pearson.
Mr.. Roberts said that the issue in North
Carolina in 1898. when this election took
place, was the race issue, and quoted the
wilmington Messenger and Senator
Tillman to establish the assertion. The
committee found that Pearson had ma
jority OF 23S on the returns In favor OF
Crawford to overcome. The iny sstigation
revealed that Crawford was entitled to I'll
votes not credited to him on the returns.
giving him plurality OF 479. Pearson
was found to be entitled to 20 votes.
and to have III rejected. giving a plural
rity OF 31S.
Mr.. Miers opened In defence of Mr.. Craw
ford, the sitting member. Mr.. Miers ar
gued at considerable length that the cleo
ton was conducted fairly. and that the
returns seating Mr.. Crawford were in ac
cordance with the ballots cast.
Mr. Kitchin favored Mr.. Crawford's
right to his seat NJ Kitchin denounced
the effort to drag into the case the lynch
ing of a negro in Mr.. Crawford's district
about election time, saying the negro