Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-11-10
From the Penrsylvanian.,
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The result OF the late election in New Jersey, IS one
Tire most gratifying victories which the Democracy
could possibly achieve.
1t is no, only so, because our friends have rertrsed
the Congressional Representation and carried both
branches Of The Legislature by sweeping malar'i'es-
but on account Of It's bearing upon the i'm Iortant CUES
ton Of the right of the majority Of the people to be re
presented in Congress, in despite oil fraud, though per,
petrated under the form of a "Brond Seal
1t ia within the recollection ofevery one, that IN lc3S
an election was held in New Jersey for members 10 re
present that State III The 21th Congress, from March
ia 1899. 10 March 4, le4l. At Tins election one Wing
! ePpsHl SIR lpssimfffassS5 TaF set Z Went 7isi,ns " WI ~. r as% eia n"s ~" N
The pieni,ude of his wisdom. 10 exclude on some fney
prstsxt one or two election districts, which gave Demo
cratic majoritIes.
The election being a close one, The exclusion OF these
Democratic Districts turned the scale, as the Governor
we'll knew would be the case, in favor OF the Wing
candidates.; and he completed his unjustiiatle course by
giving them a certificate Of election under the ''Bfoad
Seal"
In the mean time, full returns of the election from
all the Districts in the State, including those which
the Governor chose 10 throw out, were deposited in the
office of The Secretary Of State; from these it appeared
beyond the shadow of q doubt, that one Wing and five
Democrats were elected 10 Congress BY the people Of
New Jersey.
At the meeting of Congress, The candidates on the
~':5road Seal" certificate, presented their certificate 10
the Clerk of the House, Hugh A. Garland OF FtIgi.
MIA, aud claimed TO have their names read from his
roll, as members Of the House, at the opening Of the
session. The Clerk did so with regard 10 the name of
The one Wing, (Alr. Randolph,) who was elected by
The people, bat declined dong go with the other five
names, inasmuch as the Democratic claimants pro-
duced a certificate signed by the Secretary % State Of
New Jersey, showing that they had more votes than
their Wing competitors. The Clerk, therefore, very
properly declined placing either set Of names on the
roll, leaving the decision with The House, which, by
the Constitution Of The U States, is 10 be Tie judge of
the returns and qualifications of its own u mbers.
The result is well known. After the Wings had
kept the House dlso,ganised for abon, three weeks,
n support Of the baseless claim of the Broad Sea!
men, an organization was effected, the members from
New Jersey, who had Z majority OF votes, retaining
their seats.
The recent election in New Jersey, is the frs, fair
expression of popular feeling through 4 congressional
election, in respect 10 the mtra technically Of a "Broad
Seal" overcoming the decision Of popular suffrage
1t is true, one other congressional election has inter
vened, but that was in the fury OF the HARRISON cum
palgn, when hard cider and coon skins, 10 say nothing
Of pipe laying, swept the land
The ''sober second thought has come, and the people
of New Jersey spurn the idea, that their ~suhirages can
be triisd away by mere form and technically.
The course of Mr.. Garland, the clerk of the House,
on the famous 'Jrrsey Casr,' Was highly correct, I'm.
partial, and Republican. Had III lent himself 10 the
fraud, he would doubtless hav. saved himself !som lie
immense amount Of Waig abuse ~hich was heoped
upon h:m; AID had he, on the other hand, called the
names Of the Democratic claimants, he would have
been charged with undue tsvorl,ism TO his political
friends. BY referring the whole matter 10 the Harse
itself, he left the question where the Constitution IN.
tended it should be, So far from usurping power, as
the Wings charged him with doing, he cast /, from him,
for he did not assume 10 himself the decision of the
CLAIM to membership, but handed it over 10 the House
For his firm and consistent bearing throughout
this famous controversy. Mr.. Garland acquired much
reputation; and, doubtless, has permanent claims at the
hands OF the NEXT De mocratic House, for restoration 10
his old most. should he desire IT.