Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-02-27

their oral testimony; but, when they were numerous,
this could not be done, and then their testimony must
be taken under a commission, or their de posItlons be
given before State authorities.
Mr.. BOND thought the precedent a bad one, as open
ing a door for an enormous and unnecessary eXpendl.
ture.
MIR. GRAHAM insisted that the grant Of such a pow
or was totally novel and unprecedented. He could see
not the least necessity for it. lie referred TO a case OF
contested election in which he had himself been one OF
the parties, when no such power was asked for, or
thought of. As to what had been urged by the gentle
man from Massachusetts, CMr. Parmen,er,D if the pco-
pie of Massachusetts, were 80 Indifferent about their re.
presentation in that House that nobody would undergo
the trouble or expense Of turning out an individual who
had no, been legally elected, let them bear the conse-
anences. 1t was quite n new Office of a committee 70
90 about to take testimony. The committee sat as a
court, or as a jury: let the claimants collect their testi-
monv and bring IT before the committee.
MIR RISES complained, that no matter what aspect
the resolution took, il was equally Objectionable 10 GER
tain gentlemen. If the committee asked power to take
testimony by deposition, that was very alarming and
dangerous. If they asked simply for power to send for
persons and papers, that was no less monstrous and
unheard-of. But the gentleman from ". Carolina was
totally mistaken; 50 far from such a power never hav.
mo been granted, in nine cases out often it was given.
What could be the objection.to it: Did gentlemen
desire a thorough examination of the cases before the
committee: If they did, why refuse the usual grant
of power: The gentlemen had insisted that it was the
duty OF the teOpIe OF MASSACHUSETTS, 10 scnu loTWdTu
the necessary evidence in their case; but did they
know what sort of evidence a committee of this
House would require: The committee wished the
officers who had presided at the elections TO send on
a certified copy of their poll-books, SO that they might
decide who had a majority of votes. Was the gem
,leman unwilling that this should be done! The ex-
pense of this could be no such terrible matter. Be-
sides, there might be many persons in the city now
who could give important testimony. Ought not the
committee to have power to seEd for these; And, fit
were necessary, to send into the States also-if 1t were
necessary to 4 correct dccisicn-was the power to be
refused on the mere ground of the expense: The COM
mittee had gone further than some thought was right,
in sending the claimants home for dispositions. If no
power was asked for this, the committee would be
blamed as taking too much upon them, and acting with
out authority. They came TO ask for the power, and
this was outrageous: although it had been asked for by
the House. The power asked had been conferred on
the committee in the New Jersey case, but not in the
other two cases before it. II was the usual power
The House seldom, if ever, refused to grantit. lfthey
should do SO now, would it not appear as If they were
unwilling there should be a fair Investigation: Even
never refused; but here it was asked by the committee
itself. Believing that the question ought to be decided