The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-05-16

North Carolina. Democrat, was ousted
from his seat in the house last week
and Mr.. Richmond Pearson, Republic
an, seated in his stead. although Craw-
| ford was us fairly and clearly elected
as was any man who voted to put him
out. This was as foul an outrage as
was ever perpetrated even by a Re-
publican house. which. as | am fully
aware. is putting it strong.
Ny business is to practice law. Fol
itics is with me only recreation. In
my professional work long since
learned that a fact favorable to my
side Of case, stated by witness for
the opposing side, has much more force
than if stated by one of my own wit
nesses. Consequently to establish be-
yond all cavil that the Republican ma
jority did commit most palpable out
rage against the principle Of a free
ballot and a fair count-of which they
falsely yaunt themselves the special
guardians shall call no Democratic
witness, but will rely on the evidence
Of an eminent Republican, thoroughly
conversant with the facts-to wit, Gov
ernor Russell of North Carolina. Sure
ly even Republicans ought to believe
him. Here is what he says:
'SThe truth is" added Governor Rus
sell, Pearson was fairly beaten by
Mr.. Crawford His real complaint is
that he did not have votes enough.
There are other Republicans in the
state who think as do about it, among
them Colonel Lusk and Mr.. Smathers.
They say that Mr.. Crawford ought to
want Mr. Pearson to be seated because
it means 4 sweep for Crawford next
November. They think it worse than
that-it means the loss to US Of many
seats in the legislature. What is the
use of our making the great issue as
to honesty in our elections if our own
party should perpetrate such fraud
as this? Why, just think of it. The
whole city of Asheville is to be flung
in the ditch because a colored man
was arrested for perjury committed
during the contest, long after the elec-
ton. Why not throw out the whole
vote of Buncombe county,
Bearing Bitter Fruit.
Government by proconsuls is bearing
it's natural and inevitable fruit in Cuba
and elsewhere. That fruit is bitter
and nauseating For week or two
the papers have been full Of the scan
dals touching the wonderful and ex-
traordinary allowances to our officials
in Cuba. The question as to them has
not been definitely settled, whether
these allowances were made with any
shadow Of legal authority or were
made as "a military necessity
phrase which, like the mantle of charl-
ty, is made to cover q multitude of
sins. The country had scarcely had
time to catch it's breath after these
startling revelations before the press
notified US that high Republican Off
cial over there had got down to plain
stealing. His name is Mr.. c. f. Nicely.
For q novice he started out strong. as
at his first grab he appears to have
cabbaged willfully and feloniously
some $50, 900 Of somebody else's money
Uncle Sans money OF the Cubans
money. While c.. +. Neely will not
be a name for Republican spellbinders
to conjure with this year. it must be
said for Mr. Nicely that he took his
nerve with him when he went to Cuba.
1 have not been introduced to Mr.. Nee
ly and have 10 chance to study his
psychological processes ct short range.
but l judge that, seeing ether no more
meritorious proconsuls in the enjoy
ment Of fat allowances on the side.
he concluded he would make himself
an allowance and proceeded to do so
without any unnecessary red tape.
That he ..allowanced' himself at an
inopportune season for the Republican
spellbinders is patent. He, as 4 matter
of ordinary gratitude to the AIcHan-
Mates, ought to have postponed feath-
ering his nest until after the election.
but his impatience hurried him into
doing an untimely piece Of business.
What the poor, benighted Cubans,
who fought Spain so long to rid them
selves Of Spanish plunderers and
thieves, will think Of American plum
dererS and thieves is 4 question Which
is liable to cause some trouble to Mark
Hanna, the apostle of Republican puri-
ty and sweetness. The Cubans may
kick Then what?
Hitherto I have frequently quoted
the Washington Post. AS to Mr.. Nee
ly, that great organ of goldbuggery,
imperialism and high tariff says caus-
tically:
OPEN THE BOOKS IN CUBA!
A former treasurer OF the postosice department
in Cuba has just been arrested on charge OF cin-
bczzle,ncnt OF the public funds. The amount
specified is S36. 010no: enough to cndow college
or erect monastery. but quite sufficient for
modest roLbcr ready 10 retire f-om the maddlns
crowd and lead lie OF simple ease and plenty
ever after The story further goes c1 70 show that
;he 1.riso.er q Ilr G.. +. Nicely. when arrested.