Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-12-19
POR PRESIDENT,
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON,
OF OHIO.
FOR VICE PRESIDENT,
JOHN TYLER,
OF VIRGINIA.
Election In .s,opsmbsr, 1910.
THE NEW JERSEY CASE IN CONGRESS.

MN, who loves his country, it seems to us, can con-
template without shame. humiliation, and a mourn
full apprehension Of coming evil. The HOUSE OF
REPREsgHTArIyEs HAS BEEN UNABLE TO ORGAN
lie, FOR TEE TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS. Day at
ter day has been spent in debate, if it may be so
called, in the midst Of an uproar and disorder, that
bears q close resemblance to that, which reigned in
the Jacobin Halls Of Paris, during the French Re-
yolution and Of which we have since seen instan-
ces in the orgies of Tammauy Hall. and in the
Pennsylvania Capitol, at Harrisburg, last winter.
Day after day, the scene has been exhibited Of a
number Of members vocifeTating, at the same time,
at tho top Of their voices, in the midst of cries like
the following" Order, Order" Go on, Go on"
-" Go ahead" Bravo, Bravo,"-and in the
midst Of Kisses, EXPLANATIONS, apPlaudings and
threats. The mere fact, without refe renee to the
question, to hchOm The gull belongs, is shocking.
The case, ont of which these alarming exhibit
tions arise, we collect to be, as follows The State
of New Jersey is entitled to six Representatives in
Congress. BY the laws OF that State, these are
elected BY a general vote of the State. For this
purpose, each county is laid off into townships, in
each of which a poll is taken, under the direction
of Inspectors. whose appointment is provided for
by law. Within a stipulated time, after the hold
ing Of an election, these Inspectors are required to
make n return of the polls to the Clerk of the Coun-
ty, who is required to make a general statement of
the vote Of the whole county, and forward it within
a certain other specified time, 10 the Governor and
| Coupctt n tba aa.to Of Coya.,,ou..a nl e.. .Ln.,
returns, the Governor is required to ascertain the
six persons who have received a majority of the
votes of the State-to issue his proclamation of the
fact, and to give to each of the persons, SO declared
to be elected, a Commission, as Representative of
the State in Congress. An election was held, in
the month of October. 1888, distinguished by the
fury Of party excitement, outrage, and disorder
The Governor and Council, upon the returns before
them, declared Messrs. Randolph, Aycrigg, Max.
well, tlalsted, Yorke, and Stratton, to be elected,
and accordingly issued his proclamation and com
missions to them.
1t is alleged, that there were two townships in
the State, to wit: one in Cumberland, and one in
Middlesex county, the returns from which were rot
included in the returns made By the Clerks Of those
counties, respectively, to the Governor and that,
if these had been included, five other persons wonld
have been eieotud, in the pfuce Of the gentlemen
before named, by msjorities varying, we believe,
from thirty to a hundred, or, perhaps, more.
The fact seems to be admitted, that tho returns
from these townships were not included and it is
claimed that they were rightfully excluded, under
the law, upon grounds of irregularity, of which
we have, at present, no means of judging.
These six persons, returned and commissioned
by the Governor, present themselves as members,
at the Organization of the House, and their right to
qualify as such, is furiously contested and hence
have arisen the scenes of confusion to which we
have adverted.
What may be the merits &c the question, as to
the right Of these gentlemen to hold their seats
whether The returns from the two tow nships were
or were no, r%ightfully, under the law, excluded, we
have, at present, we repeat, no means orforming an
opinion; nor is that, nor. the question, nor can il
be, until after the organization of the House,
Then, and then only, can a tribunal be constituted
that is competent to pass upon it. From the foun
dalton of the Government, the u~uvarying usage il
the organization of the House, in accordance aoil
ne absolute necessity of the case, has been to look
; and to look only, al the returns of tbs Officers, lie
gnlly constituted and required to make them.
Whence this outrage upon u%nyaIying usagr =
: This attempted violation of the first principles o
the Constitution The answer to This question
we fear-nay, we do not doubts this: The frs
t act of the House, in its organization, is the election
of a Speaker. The Speaker has tho appointment
Of tbs Committees Of The House, and. through thes,
Committees slone-rhe zeal, the energy. and abili
~ Of their members-can abuses ia the administra
ton of the Government, if any such exist. be fer
reted out, and brought to light. There arc fe,
e we presume, who are not aware, that abuses anc
corruptions OF tho most enormous character ar
alleged to exist; and We would r.in hope. tina
] there are still fewer, who would be indisposed L
have them probcd 10 the bottom, let the consequer
I ces fall where they may.
: 0FAfter preparing the above, We received tn
National intell'gencer, announcing the election c
a Speaker The vote will be found in ano ther &C
> lumn.
e The National Intelligence o. tho l7,hinst saws
!, we have tho u~nieigned satisfaction Of announcin
- to our readers and the Public that the Represents
I tive branch of Congress has at length effected tn
election Of a Speaker, and NAV Tins he considare
f as relieved from all further obstacles TO an immed
e ate and complete organization. The member o
y whom the honor has fallen is Mr.. RoBERr NJ. I
HUNTER, a Representative from Virginia, who wa
n elected yesterday on the eleventh trial. he havin
received ll9 votes out Of 232. In the personal an
5 political character Of the gentleman on whom III
70 choice has fallen. the House has every guaranty 70
g a ~dlgnihed, just, and faithful discharge of his big
duties and thereiore-we hope We may say with
. out disrespeot to the many distinguished gentleme
+ previously voted for-the choice NAV be esteeme
e no, less fortunate for the House and for the oour
TRY than it is honorable to himself, especially whe