The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-07
THE VIRGINIA CASES.

The esteemed Washington Times takes
the effort of MT. John S. Wise and his
friend Congressman Taylor, OF Ohio. TO
question the right OF Mr.. Glass TO
sea, IN the lower house of Congress with
trifle more seriousness than it de-
serves. That paper thinks the House
has not definitely settled the question
OF the validity of congressional cleo
tons held under Eirsinias new Const-
tuition: that ii is merely letting MIR.
Glass hold his seat in the present Con-
gress because one seat for short ses-
sion Is not large enough game to fight
over so TO speak and that the ques-
ton and the contest are only left over
until next December, when the seats OF
all the members sent up from Virginia
viii be considered as whole.
This view of the matter thrusts aside
as trivial the principle involved, and
brings the question down to the level
of political expediency. It looks as if
the Republican majority cares nothing
for the principle as long as large game
is not in sight. If the Virginia Nom
bers as whole are not legally elected
to their seats in The Fifiy-eighth Con
gress, then Nj. Glass is not entitled to
the seat left vacant for a few months
by the death of Mr.. Otey, and the
fight against VirstnIa's right to make
a Constitution OF her own should be set
lied, so far as Congress may settle it,
in the immediate consideration Of his
case. The fact that this case has been
permitted 70 so by without contest
would seem to be proof conclusive that
Mir. Taylor ana his advisers realize that
there is no merit in their threatened con-
ienuon.
However, the Washington Times thinks
the question is of sufficient Importance
for speculation at least and it says:
when the matter does come up next
December a pretty issue Will be involV-
ed II the House decides that Repre-
sentatives elected to Congress under and
by virtue Of the new Constitution OF the
O.d Dominion are not entitled to seats
what becomes Of Firginia'S right under
the Federal Constitution to be represent
ed in Congress? Suppose it should be
decided that the ten members returned
from Virginia--nine OF them Democrats
and one Republican-were illegally elect
I'd, and Virginia should refuse to re-
model or amend her Constitution. would
that mean that she could have no rep
resenlation in the House OF Representa-
tives2 Is it within the providence OF
"a tive 70 lee
that the Constitution of a sovereign
State is Invalid? But certainly has not
the House q right 10 pass upon the val
iditv OF The election of its own members:
What character OF compilations may re-
suit from challenging the right OF the
Virginia members 10 seats In the House
ii is impossible TO say. but it is an in
teres;ing question, and one which is al
ready beginning to arouse much specu-
lation."
Truly these be interesting questions
ii the House should decide to go into
an investigation such as is indicated,
but our esteemed Washington contem-
porary may possess its sod in patience
The probability is that the House next
December viii do just as the House
cid this December: Make a kind Of
bluff. enter a mild protest perhaps. that
viii. in the opinion of the majority,
cast q cloud over the title of the vir-
GINA representatives and there let the
matter rest. and ali Will be done for
political effect and for future use on
the stump. ana not to unseat a States