Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1884 — Thomas Jefferson Wood Will Contest. [ARTICLE]

Thomas Jefferson Wood Will Contest.

Logansport Journal. Thomas Jefferson Wood announces his intention of contesting the seat of Hon. W, D. Owen. The Democrats will have a majority air the next House and will have it in their power to recognize Mr. Owen or Thomas Jefferson Wood. Notwithstanding the fact that a- Democratic Congress has unseated Representatives, whose title to a seat in Congress was beyond question, we do not believe that Wood’s case will meet with favorable consideration. In the first place he has but little in his favor. The members of his own party recognize that he is a standing reproach to an enlightened and progressive constituency. His own colleagues in the House from this State are constantly laughing at his expense, and they will not have the cheek to exert themselves in his behalf. In the second place the fact that the majority in fayor of Mr. Owen is near 500 will prove too great a stumbling block. When the contestant only lacks a few votes ol an election there is frequently ground for a contest, but with a majority of between 450 and 500, is there a man in the west, with the' exception < f Tom Wood, who would have the £all to make a fight for the seat? We think not, and although the Democrats have a good majority in the lower House, they cannot Jpossibly outrage decency and respectability by so milch as giving ear to Wood’s complaint. Wood is stimulated to make this contest by two things: He knows that unless he recognized as a member of the next House his political aspirations are hopelessly wrecked, and he is also aware that a contestant while fighting his case draws the same salary as the contestee. Mr. Owen came out of Wood’s own county witKa good majority, although the Democratic nominee had made brags thitt he would carry TF by 500. He lost all over the district, while’Mr. Owen ran of his ticket in almost every precinct. These facts teach Thomas that his own party has spotted him, and that he is irretrievably lost , unless the Democratic Congress assists him. The contest is made in the interest of Wood’s ambition and his pocket book. He may replenish his • exchequer, but he will never unseat W.D. Owen.