Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-12-24

ed object; which was, 10 MAKE Ttnd Jdfc evidence
supersede the best evidence, until we could attain
lends: and them with the skill Of conurer il suddenly
becomes prma facie evidence, after having played the
part of the best and conclusive evidence There arc
some propositions that, to state them, makes them to-
udicrcls for argument. The argument of those
who support the prctenders that pra aric evidence
cannot be contradicted and if it disprovcd BY the
best evidence, that still you must give effect to pTima
facic evidence by permitting those who claim under
take the place of those who produce the best evil
dcncc until they have chosen Speaker and been them
selves sworn and then the House may do what they
can do equally well now, and what they must
to ultimately-decide upon the question who has the
greatest number of votes upon the poll returns. 1t
idle, and than idle, to talk about the efficacy of
prima tacic evidence when met and rcbuttcd by the
primary and best evidence They cannot stand toge-
tier or be conrasted The only question before the
House is, who is prima tacc entitled to the seats
those who claim TO be returned by the commission OF
The people, declared and evidence by the broad seal
of the majority of the votes the ballot-box or
those who claim 10 be elected by the broad seal of the
Governor, by minority of the votes, swelled into
majority by the aid of two negligent or fraudulent
clerks, in supprcssng the votes OF six hundred and
forty eight electors of New Jersey; 1t is vain to at
tempt to mystfy it. This is the plain and simple ques-
ton, and the House sooner or later decide it in
that shape. The PLAIN common sense of the people
will strip It of all DISCUSSES and subteriges, and will
PROSTATE the tcchnca-no, does not deserve even
that name, but the ignorant bubbles which have been
JHCN
best evidence always drives prima acie evidence from
the field; and the people, plain and simple many
suppose them, understand that perfectly we'll
Then it urged that the commission and great seal
Of New Jersey will be treated with ndgnity, unless the
pretenders permitted to make it available, by super.
sedIng those whom the people have chosen. Even in
these days, when right, and honor, and integrity are
sacrificed to availability, this plea cannot prevail
New Jersey be outraged again, but by per-
uniting the original act of indgnity, pros,itning her
unsmied seal TO sanction usurpation upon the rights
OF her people, and consummae act of treason against
representative institutions What has been the effect
of this construction of the law and commission of the
Governor: 1t virtually declares that 2s 492 Of
the electors Of New Jersey shall be superseded and null
lied by 3, BEL that majority Of III must yield to
minority of III.
The question, then, before Congress, is shall those
who have majority Of votes, appears by the re.
turns of the original POLLS be priaa aee entitled to
their Seats those who have the Governors comnis-
sion with minority of votes: Now this is to depend
upon determining what is the best evidence of the fact
The original returns, made by the officers Of the cleo
ton, polls-or the certified lists made or supposed
to be made, therefrom-in other words, whether the
original copy rather the certificate of copy is
the best evidence Those who have the msjorty of
votes say the former Those who have the Governors
certificate ssy the latter. Who can believe that ,ha