The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-05-15

The New jersey State Gazette published the follow
ing letter, which will sufficiently explain itself
TRESros, April 25, 1889
Gentlemen: Your letter Gated on the 4,h instant re-
Jectng the proposition made Of the 4th ut has
been received. OF course we cannot object 10 your
determination; but you have thought proper to inn
pGgn motives for making the ofrr in the reasons
assigned aud also IN other paris of your letter. these
quire an answer. .#
We do not the force Of the objection to our power
TO make the arrangement proposed; as, unquestona-
bly,, we have the right 10 resign commissions, and
you to refuse TO prosecute any claim which you may
suppose yourselves TO have Ii very true that on our
resignation. the people may select other candidates ;
but II hey should do would affect only ourselves
and although the controversy between Us as individuals
would be at an end, the real and important question:
which Of the two great political parties has the majority
IN The Sa'e-Nou!d still remain and could be Just as
well decided with other candida So fat, therefore
from assuming powers belonging to the people, or
placing the servants above the masters our PROPOSE
ton intended submit individual interests wholly
to the will of the people, and not only TO give them
choice of Representatives, but also 10 afford 10
each OF the political parties opportunity Of selecting
new candidates.
The objection TO 1.-THE expense labor, and toll Of
another contest seems to have been made without
reference to the obvious fact that might lie held at the
time with annual State election without any
additional Inconvenience or expense.
IL was to DO presumed that you supposed Yourselves
legally elected or you would not think Of claiming the
seats: and II was because thought otherwise that
we considered It right to refer the matter again the
people. Whether this is proper Case for surh re-
ference Is matter Of opinion and cannot object TO
your entertaining different from oars hat n making
the broad assertion that you have evidence but our
own allegation thst there any illegal votes, Won
have strangely overlooked ,he late investigation OF the
Cumberland election IN addition TO which, we would
remind that the statements respecting South Amboy
and Saddle River vyer lar
We proposed to make the designations TO the Go.
vernon. as he Is previous TO the meeting Of Congress
the proper authority to receive them. On our par il
would have been necessary TO give him jurisdiction in
ordering new election on yours il seemed proper TO
prevent fntnre MISUNDERSTANDING. resignation 10
him the peoples legal agent, for that PURPOSE would
have been at least as much lgnson TO them as
made 10 each individual citizen, or in any other wsy
nor recognized by the laws which the people have es-
tahlished
The conduc, Of the county clerks and Of the Govern
or and Pnyy Council having been incidentally brought
10 question, we would remark the former that they
could no moro receive legal returns papers unsesed
ana wanting the requisite certificates or signed nv per-
sons other than those who appeared nv the record evil
dence to he the proper officers, than sheriff could
cute as writ one without The seal Of cort the
Signature of ITS clerk With respect 10 the latter,
have already given opnion ard in proof of it, cor
rectness would merely advert 10 the fact that Of the
many precedcns for their course was furnished nv
OF Your own number, acting under the sanction Of
official oath, IN snilar case. The charge indirectly
made against these officers that they assumed the pow er
belonging only the House OF Representatives. OF de-
clang Illegal. appears to he snos, as novel it
is unNarrsned by the facts. They decided that they
could not pass upon the egaity votes but only
such "a were returned them And the burden Of the
complaint hitherto made has been that h,v refused
exercise judicial powers by going further rn,esti
cation. But all future difficulties from these sources
have been prevented by the Legislature. who have pro-