Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-01-16
From The Correspondent Of the .New TorI CONNER
ciat .4dcertiser.

ciat .4dcertiser.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.
Mr. Arnold, who appeared before the House of
Representatives to-day, to contest the Seat of Pryor
Lea. of Tennessee, is the champion of the Anti
Jackson party of the state of Tennessee, and ho APP
pears to have the main qualifications Of champion
tact and fearlGssness. am apprehensye, however,
that out of his present materials he will scarcely be
able to constitute such defence will enable him
to carry his complaint successfully against the sit
ting member His testimOny-I mean so much of
1t as the Committee on the Judiciary have permit
ted to be printed-occupies eighty pages, and
presents as curious mass of evidence per-
haps ever collected to substaniiae petition what
ever. 1t appears that by the law of Tennessee the
sheriff OF every county is directed to lock up The bal
lot box-ope only being aliowed-and as the cleo
ton continues two days, he is o1dcred seal the
ballot box in the evening of the first day, and de-
post it with the inspectors 1t seems that the sheriff
ofClairbornc county enemy of MIR. Arnold,
hat he did not give the box into the charge of the
inspectors, but insisted ON detrnng it, swore that
as it was his box, he would be ID if he did MOI
keep II, and placed in the custody of pcrsons who
opposed to the election of Mr. Arnold
Mr. Arnold commended that under all the cir
cumsanccs attending the election in this county,
considering his own majority there, the number of
votes poed, the conduct of the sheriff in depostinp
the ballet box in the hands of persons who had made
bets agains, his election and various other matters
some foul play had been practised. He asked if
sly old fox, such rs this sheriff. would sit down in the
public street, and blow a horn and invite every body
to draw near, because he going to rob ballot
box whether he would not rather have acted inst
as this sheriff did act, taking the box to the house of
friend, going into secret room, and perpetratinr
there what he designed 10 perpetrate, when ne swore
that Arnold should not have majority in his COUNTY,
He insist ed that any sheriff who, like the sherfs of
Tennessee, holds the tax-book in his hands, and has
possession ofa!l the executions, could not easily srs-
tain his own case with much evidence as was
produced IN his favor OIL this occasion.
MI Arnold speaks with good deal of fuency and
selfpossession He was listened TO with considera-
bic attention but, being unacquainted with the cnpa
city OF the hall, he raised his voice above the PROPER
compass, and, in some parts, absolutely sh,ieked out
his words. do not think that he will succeed.
although he should even prove that the law often
nessee was violated by the officers whom was com
Intted the charge Of the elcctor for it is extremely
difficult to overcome the report of one of the standing
committees Of the House, should it be founded
in injustice He will, however gain one great OBJ
Ject. He will have obtained the opportunity of vim
dlcating the rights of his constituents on the floor of
Congress- and the course he has pursued may have
the effect of making officers more careful at future
elections than they have shown themselves to be in
the late election He will gain fame at home, if not
his seat in the House.