The age-herald., 1902-05-13
Washington Day by Day

Washington, May 12.-(special)-Th first work of distinction in contested elec- tion cases accomplished in the present Congress was done by that eminent young Alabama Congressman, Hon. Syd- ney J. Bowie of the Fourth district.
 The older members of the Alabama delegation, Colonel Bankhead, MT. Clay ton, MT. Underwood and Mir. Taylor, urged upon the speaker the appointment of MT. Bowie as a member of the elec- tions committee No. 1, in order to honor Mir. Bowie and at the same time to place so able a lawyer and advocate in posi- ton to prevent, if possible, the turning out of Congressman John L. Burnett of the Seventh Alabama district and the seating of his contestant, MT. N. B. Spear. How ably MT. Bowie labored in protect ing the rights of Mir. Burnett and the Democrats of the Seventh district and how perfectly he succeeded Is a bright chapter in the history of Congress. It is not too much to say that most of us here who are friends of MT. Burnett and servants of the Democratic party were for time extremely doubtful of the re- suit of the contest for his seat. His case was admirably made out; there was no reasonable doubt of the justice of his cause-but he was a Democrat fighting to retain his seat in Republican House. What that means ordinarily no obsery- ant man need be informed.
 But MT. Bowie, with his consummate ability, legal learning and tact wrought the political miracle. MT. Burnett was confirmed in his membership, and has been enabled to make for himself a reputation that may well be envied by any new member of Congress-; for ev- erybody knows that everys member of Congress is greatly handicapped during his first term. Hence all the greater is the argument that good men should be kept in Congress as long as they are will ing to serve.
 Congressman Bowie has had another opportunity of distinguishing himself, and he has taken advantage of it.
 One William M. Horton, Republican, entered upon a contest for the seat of James J. Butler, a Democrat, who was elected hy 3553 plurality, aud espousing the cause of a1r. Butler with charac- teristic courage, ability ard insight to truth and justice, Mi. Bowie has spent weeks of labor to prove to and convince the Republican majority of the commit tee that the sitting member was clearly entitled 10 his seat. The labor and re- search of the Alabamisn have been vain. The majority, not daring to sustain their men Horton, declared the seat vacant, and so reported to the House.
 Mir Bowie was allowed to write the minority report demonstrating that MT. Butler was elected and was by the letter report of the young Alabama leader Is declared by old Congressmen to be the ablest report on an election contest sub mitted to the House in years. It is masterful exposition of the facts of the election and the law covering the case.
 After dealing at great length with the evidence, and the alleged facts, includ- ing the sworn reports of a Republican partisan census and canvass of the dis trict, independent of the United States census and wholly for party purposes, and covering the entire case of the con- test-facts and pleadngs that would fill an entire issue of the Age-Herald-Con gressman Bowie, speaking for himself and his Democratic colleagues of the committee, declares:
 we assert, without the fear of success