The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-18
NEW JERSEY ELECTION CASE.


The Federal Loco Focos in the House Of
Representatives have contaminated that out
rage upon the independence and constitution
oil the State Of New Jersey, upon the Constitu-
uon OIL the United States, and upon established
law, and common justice, which they deter
assembled. Now, in the sepenh month Of the
session, proposition has been brought in, by a
partisan majority of a standing committee, de-
clarlng the Administration claimants entitled TO
seats IN the House, as Representatives from
New Jersey; and the members were required TO
vote, yea" or may" on that proposition, be-
fore they had any opportunity Of reading, or
hearing, or learning any thing about the eri-
dence concerning the question they were called
to decide.
The enormity Of the conduct Of the Federal
Loco Focos, is SO strongly displayed in plain
and unvarnished statement Of the facts that, for
The present, we shall be content with setting the
occurrences Of the day and night, before our
readers; and leave them 10 their deliberate
Judgment
AZ the opening Of the House on Thursday,
Mr.. Campbell, (he Chairman Of the Commit
tee on Elections) insisted, as matter Of pri-
vilege, on his right, 10 present two reports from
that Committee, because, he maintained, they
involved the rights of members to seats in the
House. The Speaker decided that a report
from the Committee on Elections was mol a
question Of privilege, and in support Of his OPT
ninn nuntad nracpdantc and asuaciallv tho ease
Of contested election from Mississippi, in the
last Congress. Mr. CAMPBELL. then appealed
from this decision; feeling confident, no doubt,
from past experience that any decision Of the
Chair, however righteous, however supported
by reason, and uniform practice, would be over
ruled by the partisan majority, if il was found
TO interfere with the immediate accomplishment
Of their purposes. The question, :" Shall the
decision Of the Chair stand as the judgment of
the House" was then pressed TO determna-
ton, by the instrumentality Of the previous
question. The partisan majority Of Federal
Loco Focos reversed the Speakers decision, Of
course, as every man knew they would and it
was decided by vote of % 10 SS-lhat the
question Of report from the Committee on
Elections is question Of privilege, and entitled
TO take precedence over all other business.
Before the Speaker announced this vote Of the
House, there was an incidental question OF or
der, the proceedings on which show most strong
y, the utter restitution Of principle among the
Federal Loco Focos, and their absolute reckless
ness in ovcrthrowing, by their votes to-day, what
they established yesterday-haying regard only
to the attainment of their little, mean, ptiful.
partisan objects at the time. Messrs. DECKER
son, Vroom, and the rest Of the pretcnders from
New jersey voted on the appeal Of Mr.. CAMP
BELL, and helped their associates to over-rue the
Speaker. Mr.. Stanly asked whether these gen
temen had right to vote, since the question ai-
fected their rights. The Speaker decided that
they had right TO vote, and that the question
was not personal to themselves, in his opinion
Mr.. Stanly called the attention of the Speaker
to the fact that, early in the session, a majority
Of the House had decided that question Mr.
JoHN QUINCY ADAMS said the case had arisen
when he presided over the House as temporary
Chairman. He had decided that the members
from New Jersey had a right TO vote the ques-
tloiI VI bSliiS tiSlI lHulVtuudl iIltc-
rest, but the interest Of their constituents TIM
FEDERAL Loco Focos ON THAT OCCASION, RE
vERsED HIS DECISION, and the members were mol
permitted 10 role. Mr.. Stanly expressed his
opinion that the gentlemen from New Jersey
(Messrs. Dickerson and associates) had a
right TO vote but he wished TO see if the ma
joriy would stand to their own decisions. The
question was then put ;-and the Federal Loco
Focos marched up, in solid column, and voted
directly against their own decision, as given at
former period of the session, and recorded on
the journal. With these men, WILL is LAW.
and they will trample on all law, all precedent,
and all right, at any time, to gain temporary
triumph.
Nh. CAMPBELL then made report on the New
Jersey contested election case, (irom the majo-
rity Of the committee including hImsef) Mr..
Smith presented counter report on the part Of
the minority, The former declares that the six
gentlemen now sitting as Representatives from
New Jersey, are entitled to their seats. The lat
ter declares to the contested seats three of the
Opposition members, and two of the Admins
tration claimants are entitled but expresses at
the same time the conviction Of the minority of
the committee that the other two Opposition
members are also fairly entitled TO their seats.
The evidence was ohjectedt to on technical,
and on trivial and veyatious grounds.
Mr.. CAMPBELL moved for the printing of the
reports, evidence, &c, &c, and that the subject
be made the special order for Saturday next.
At the instance of Mr.. PROFIT, the reports
Of the majority and minority were then read
The latter is most powerful and conclusive
lncllmnnf Iii he'd hu sinniIlar acImen