Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-30
Virginia Legislature.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
SATURDAY., Dec, 21.
MONROE CONTESTED ELrcTIoy

MONROE CONTESTED ELECTION
Mr.. Marshall submeda resolution TO rive 70 the Com
mittee of privileges and Elections power TO examine all
the evidence relating to the contested election from the
county of Monroe.
Mr. M said the some doubt in the minds Of the
comntee as 10 the proper for them pursue and
they had been instructed for information upon the
subject 1t had been decided yesterday that the committee
should investigate the subject and report upon it, consd-
cnS the corrected poll prina acie evidence of the e-
galy OF the votes Ii appeared to them that i'm perform-
ing this duty they might come TO conclusion contrary n
The sense oil the House, and thus much time be lost II
was therefore thought better that they should be
by resolution.
Mr. Wood of Albemare could not see the necessity OF
hls resolution And he rose to ask for information from
the chairman OF the Committee Of Privileges and Elections
who had been instructed TO ofIerit.
lie presumed the committee had the power asked for il
the questions they wished enquire into arose from an
Inspection OF the corrected poll, from any evidence L.
gally taken and presented 10 the House IN This sb
Jcct, 1t seemed to him the committee were clothed with
all the powers of investigating possessed by the House
Every question which could arise between the contestinp
candidates had been referred the committee IL was
true, on yesterday the Housegavc them instructions non
point OF law which had arisen pending the investigation
III being their opinion that the corrected poll would
be received asPriud dce evidence fits own
win this qualification they possessed full powers over
the subject; ihs House could not properly confer more
upon them, and the resolution was quite n
however II was the object TO get by this resolution what
might be denominated extraordinary powers he thought II
wrong IN itself il certainly could be proper TO a,-
horize the committee TO go into subjects which did NOT
arise either by exceptions to the proceedings of fine
mssioners who corrected the poll or from the face of the
poll iseli or from evidence regularly taken upon notice to
the contesting candidate.
Mr. Marshall said, that the gentleman from Albenarc
was mistaken II he supposed the committee asked any
taordnay powers, or any which nc would not be willing
10 grant them But the difficulty with the committee was
et INC resolution OF yesterday did not give to them spe-
cue power TO guide them in their Investigations The
resolution he had now offered, intended impart bo-
ny ana iorce to the Instructions given them by the House
yes'ouay, ana INC exact power which the gentleman
rom AincmaFie would accord TO the committee
Mr. hivos wished 10 modify the resolution so as 10 make
agree with the explanation given of it by the Chairman
o. the committee OF Privileges and Elections lie be-
leved It was not intended that they should extend their
examinations beyond the corrected POLL something that
appeared upon the face OF II, sustained by proofs
had before the commissioners. He was willing TO give
mem the power togo thus far In their Investigations but
was not so restricted he should vote against hc resolu-
ton. ...... f,s-,f.st. ~
MI Marshall Observed tatit would not be possible 10