Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-12-17

should be presented, they should proceed 10 the organ
zaton Of the House. BY electng the Speaker and other
officers, with the understanding that if, utter inves
tigaton BY the House into the returns and qualca-
tons of the members whose seats were contested, II
should he found that such organization OF the House
had been effected by minority, in consequence OF the
votes of members not entitled to seats, that then the
House should set aside these elections, and proceed to
new organization This proposition ne had endeavor.
cd to follow up, in the resolution he now wished TO
ofFcy Notwithstanding, (said Mr. Co. the difficult and
helpless position now placed in We have now an
opportunity Of setting precedent, which may be the
foundation Of parliamentary law in future times He did
not regret the difficulties and cmbarrassments which
the House had encounter He rcioced that this qucs
ton had been raised in this early period of our history
period of peace and tranquility rather than IN one IN
which, if the people less intelligent, more corrupt,
and less attached to institutions, military leader
might IN arch his myrmidons into that hail. and settle
it according to his pleasure We are still III that
helpless condition The wheels of the Government are
sopped while the House is unable to advance one step
towards the desirable object Of organization But what
are we to do. Unless subject ourselves to the delay
of going into the merits of the elections as contemplated
BY the resolution of his colleague Just adopted, during
all which time the important legislative business Of
the House. must be neglected. we have only one possible
to adopt, and that is to cal the names only :"
snch members as have the legal and regular credentials
from the constituted authorities OF their respective
States and with them having formed quorum, proceed
70 the organization ofthe House. by the election OF Off
with the understanding that he had before adSerteu
TO- No possible harm could result from this course for
after the House shall have decided the returns and
qualifications Of the gentlemen whose seats are con-
tested the organization may be dissolved and new
election of officers gone into, if it should be found that
such elections were made in consequence Of members
voting who had not been duly elected. Notwith-
standing all we have seen in the newspapers OF the
day; notwithstanding all the documents that had been
read ct the Clerks table, have heard nothing (Alr
c. said) 10 warrant US in deciding that the rights Of
the people Of New Jersey have ben outraged and that
The five gentlemen who here with the certificates
Of the Governor Of that State have obtained these GER
fcates through fraud Until it shall be proved that
,er constituted authorities gave been recreant TO The
obligations of honor and Of duty, and have abused the
,iph trusts confded to them, we cannot, sad Mr o.
Without better evidence dispute the validity Of their
ert6cates am satisfied (said Mr. c. that gentle.
mem of all parties in the House are governed by the
most liberal as we'll az patriotic considerations and
bat they would not allow any party feelings 10 .nhu'
nee then, in decision involving the rights OF hve.
xths of the representation of sovereign state bat
said he, who have never been behind the scenes who
NJ bound to neither party venture to say tasi ae
yo parties were not so equally balanced that tne cree
on Of Speaker depended, in great measure, on .ns
ssis;aa as 70 which set Of toe saiusns 70 sesu os