Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-11-13

on that nos before us. Tie first occurred IN ie'<
rh lc,ion officer. ID, the township Of Alillvr. in the
county Of CuIbcr and neglected 10 maze ih'i return
20 The county clerk, within the tAe deS'Hnited ny Ia"
,,r M other ohie c!ion II il hen suggested Aler
Tie hour fixed by law but on tie same day. me return
WAS made in due form 10 the ceIk, no made supple
menary return TO the G"vc1n"r OF u,at toh"S"P,
vainng the rcasor. why they had not been included III
his first certificate. The whole matter was thus made
apparent the face OF the clerks iciu:n, ana TIE votes
vCic counted :,
The other case happened at he last Congressional
election in 1876 The clerk of The county ct Somerset
made return, emitting the vces OF The township OF
Montgomery which omission was manifest iioh We lace
of the return In the "cusng up oil lie votes Oy me
Governor and Prvy Council The votes OF that township
were omitted and The certificate was made uP III accord
apce with the clerk return. The returns now on HE IN
the Office of the Secretary Of State, show the omission OF
the votes OF this township and the staeento lie foes
BY the Governor and Privy Council III their ce!uhcate
shows that thcy adhered 10 the CLERK return ana Cd
no, count them. This certificate Is also on HE IN The
Office of The Secretary Of State signed by his xceiency
Philemon DickefsOD rs GOVERNOR and 10y Ia" non yep
tia b. Mum. Vice President; Charles o'oSeS o. Dur.
lurloD: Thomas Arrowsmi:h, Of Monmouth; Walter
kjykpalrck Of Somerset, and John &. Snawood, OF
Gloucester as Privy Council. That these gentlemen
all acted conscrnlioGSy and upon what they Understood
to be The requirements oi The law, am wen sa'sHtG
Will further stale, tlat with anxious desire 10 learn
what have been the views and acts OF those VINO nave
been before U.s. have been able to fluid single case
in which they have gone beyond The clerk returns and
firmly believe, that no such case exists
Combining ourselves, then to the CLERK returns, as
A. only basis OF action allowed To Us By The law THINK
thar should countevety vote whchany candidate may
haye received as far as can discover 1t by suc re-
lurns1!l any objections either formal or otherwise
which rn Ia ~ stated by the clerks. Any mistakes
in adJn~ y ,t Mes which may be apparent on The
face or ,uTs, should be rected for are 10 cast
up the votes, not the additions Of the clerks.
These, gentlemen, are the views which conscicn.
,ousy believe 10 be correct this subject. They have
been deliberately formed though thrown together hasti
~, and under circumstances OF great disadvantage.
feel that we called upon 10 discharge duty which
in any result may very possibly expose TO the rebuke
of excited party feelings. We would none OF us have
sought such an OCCASION liable 10 suspicion and mis-
representation, if left 10 choice But II has
fallen to our lot, and must meet it. For my
part am bound by my official oath, diligently, faith
fully aud 10 the best Of my knowledge, 10 execute my
office in conformity 10 the powers delegated 10 me- and
no motives Of policy, apprehension Of consequences
shall TO fail III the ultInent Ol that oath
II experience has shown, that the law by which
conduct in this matter must be regulated is unwise and
mpOllic il is the right, it will doubtless Ge the desire
of the Legislature 10 alter and amend it to them may
seem proper; but while it the law of the State,
we are bound make il The rule Of action From
wish take upon myself larger share of authority
in this than the law has imposed, and earnest
desire 10 have il settled correctly and TO the satisfaction
Of ALL have thought it right TO call TO its decision all
whom the law authorizes TO summon. Although
prevented by misfortune from taking active part
your deliberations felt that you had right TO ex.
pect from expression of my sentiments, and all
The aid which render you in the discharge oil our
duty have only TO add that it has been cheer.
fully given and that if majority of the prvy Council
shall lie of different opinion shall rs cheerrnlly
qiesce in The decision, and deliver the commissions as
they shall direct.