The Washington times., 1903-12-04
Three Committees to TuSSle
With Problem.
TESTIMONY ALREADY FILED
Interesting Case Between Connen and
Howell in the Scranton District
of Pennsylvania.

As soon as the organization Of the
House is perfected work will be begun
on the several contested election cases
which ara pending. There are ten such
cases. where the right of the sitting
member to retain his seat is disputed
by his rival at the polls. Seven OIL
these contests have been instituted by
Republicans against Democrats. one by
a Democrat against a Republican, one
Democrat is contesting fer a seat held
by Democrat, and one Republican Is
.ontesting a Union Labor man ana
Democrat
There viii be three Elections Commit
tees. and these contests VIII be appoT-
toned among them. one will get four
and the others two each. The tesu-
raony in each case was filed months ago
with the Clerk Of the House. and It is
the duty of these committees 10 go over
this testimony. examine exhibits, II
there be any. and hear argument IN
several cases the testimony is volum-
inous
The first case likely 10 reach the
House IS chat instituted by William Con-
rel. of Scranton. PA, against George
Howell, Democrat. The case Is some
what peculiar. Cornell is millionaire
and has served in Congress Tor SIX
years. \ year ago last fall he was re
nominated by the Republicans and IN
order 10 place his reelection beyond
doubt. as he believed. he made an ar
rangement with some Democratic lead
ers in tr= district IND when the con-
vcntion OF that party was held there
were enough Connen Democrats 70 con
troll the meeting and Connell, the he-
publican candidate. was Endorsed Dy the
Democrats
Bright Tor Connell.
Everzthins looked bright fo- Connells
return. but there happened 30 be num-
Der OF Democrats who refused TO abide
by the action Of their party's conven-
ton. and nominated Mr.. Howell, who
was forced to run as ap Independent
Democratic. although "A full-hedged
Democrat in every respect howeh
fought the N alter out single-handed ana
was elected by about 400 majority IL
was a crushing blow to Council ana a
great surprise TO Democrats as well as
Republicans Connen decided to con-
test, because some voters had cast their
ballots for Howell a Democrat
instead Of AZ. Independent Democrat.
Connen claiming TO be the Democratic
candidate Cornell hopes the Republi-
can majority viii seat him.
Another interesting case is that OF
George d. Reynolds. Republican. against
James J. Butler, Democrat. OF St Louis
Butler comes to the House backed by
4 majority Of more than 66o0, yet he
will probably be unseated- He has been
elected 10 the House three times in as
many years and twice has been de-
prived OF his seat The first time his
seat was declared vacant by reason. OF
alleged frauds, and Butler was again
elected TO fin the vacancy thus created,
but despite $500 apparent majority, he
was unseated after an exciting contest
which caused the Democratic dlibusteT
in the last three days of the Fifty
seventh Congress. His successful op-
ponent held the Office for only thre
days In the pending contest, as ii
the other two. frauds are alleged.
Kahn VS.. LiveTnash.
The conteA brought by Julius Kahn
Republican, against Z. J. Livernash
Union Labor and Democrat, OF Sai
Francisco, is also an important one MI
Kahn served IN the Fifty-siXth and Fiji
ty-seventh Congresses and was Tenomi
mated for the Fifty-eighth. Livernas
was nominated by the Union Labor con
vention and indorsed by the Democrat
upon the representation that ne was
Democrat. IAvernash is classed as
Democrat, SITS on the Democratic SID
OF the chamber. and attends the eau
cuses Of thaS party, although now tina
he has a contest on his hands he as
serts he IS a member Of the Union Labo
party Ar. Kahn's contest IS base
upon the allegation that defective bal
lots were counted fer Livernash.
The contest OF Joseph A Conr
against John A Keliher Is also an in
teresting one. Both men are Demo
Gratis, and the Boston district whic
they seek 10 represent is one Of tn
strongest Democratic districts north q
Mason ana Dixon's Inc There are NOR
than four Democrats to one Repubiica
in this part Of Boston, and Keliher al
Conry each received more than doubl
the number Of votes cast for the Reput
llcan nominee. The contest for IN
Democratic nomination was spirited
there being three candidates in the fieiC
After fruitless ballohng without resu
one withdrew but Keliher and ConT
each went upon the ticket. one as
Democrat ard the other as a Nations
Democrat. Conry was a member Of N
Fffty-seventh Congress. He was defea
ed by Keliher by narrow margin an
charges his Democratic opponent wit
fraud
+. NJ. Davis. Republican. Is contestin
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