The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1901-02-01
SENATORIAL CONTEST FARCE.
RspubIioans Intend to Dust Hopkins and
VIII Seat BuschOW with Aid Of
LegfslztuEe-

The taking OF evidence in the sena
toriaI contest was set by the senat
committee on privileges and election
for January 81 to Is, from Monday q
nine q. N. to Saturday ct six P. NJ, II
the seven counties constituting the
Thirty-nfnth senatorial district.
Charles Busehow was republican
candidate for state senator at the late
election against SeIden @. Hopkins
fusionist. Hopkins had Is majority OF
the face Of the returns, and the OPPo
sitiOn saw a chance by making show
ing of Illegal votes cast for Hopkins Il
seat Buschow and GUST Hopkins.
The republicans bave majority il
the senate, so this was but matter Of
form. and some show Of testimony
taken in each county Of the district
was all that was attempted.
M CuthDertson was appointed by
the senatorial committee special com
missioner to take the testimony in
Sherman county. E. F. Murphy was
attorney for Buschow and HOyt And
reWs for Hopkins.
The special commissioner summoned
the following witnesses for BuschOw,
some Of whom, however, gave testi-
mony Of little Importance: B. E Cot
RI. J. Jones, E. J. Scott, c. G. Per
dieu, n. 7. Mccoy, Swan Strand, J. L
Crockford, Simon Kemp and A. D
Rummel
Fred Smalley and Hoyt Andrews
testified on behalf of Hopkins.
The case was very much ex parte
and only surmises, opinions and be-
Iiefs we're brought out in the case,
based on the fact that some votes we're
cast believed to be illegal, because OF
non-residenee, etc, This, doubtless,
was a fact, but it was not proven how
such parties voted, and the plain fact
in the case is that there were as many
such votes on one side, politically, as
on the other.
The contest in this county shows a
loss Of two votes to Hopkins. Charles
E. White, of Grant township, and Will
liam Mcmillan, Of Mcpherson town
ship, whose votes we're challenged, aud
it was proven that they voted for Hop
kiRs. White has made his home IN the
county for nearly Is years, being away
from the county at times to secure en-
ployment, but he still has interests
here and calls Sherman county his
home. He swore in his vote McMil-
lian has also lived In the cOuntya long
time, making his home in Mcpherson
township. He is a single man and for
employed on 8 ranch in Smoky town
ship. He voted in Mcpherson town
ship, but was also compelled to swear
in his vote.
1t was only necessary, however, to
make a showing that would furnish an
excuse to the republicans of the SEN
ate to seat Buschow, and this was done
It was a farce and a fraud, of course,
but as "each house is the sole judge of
the qualifications of its members" the
senatorial ak viii be brought out aud
Hopkins will be beheaded. Precedent
IN congress, and the power Of MAORI
ties, and the custom Of legislatures Is
the only law in the case. Such is par
tisan pOlitics-rOtten and unjust-and
only party advantage is considered in
the case.
If ever the tables are turned against
the republicans they may have to take
a dose Of their own medicine. Popu-
lists and democrats have always dis
countenaDoed these unjust contest
proceedings, especially in Sherman
county, but in the future they may not
be so lenient. The temptation Will be
in the future to 'ire the rascaIs out"
in retaliation for republican meanness.