The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-04-20
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, is4s.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The journal having been read

IN relation to postage.
The SPEAKER said, that the first question would be
upon requesting the Senate to return the bill to the
Rouse; which motion was put and agreed to.
The question upon the reconsideration lies upon the
Speakers tablehe election Ia question of pryi-
lege) having precedence.
CONTESTED ELECTION
The House resumed the consideration of the contested
election case of Monroe Jackson
Mr.. JENKINS, for the purpose of bringing the cues
ton fairly before the House, submitted as an amendment
10 the resolutions pending before the House. substitutes
reported by the minority OF the Committee Elections
declaring that DAVID JACKSON and that JAMES Mon
ROE rs not entitled to seat in this House
MT bURI moved to amend the amendment by sub.
shutting the following:
Resored That the inmates of the and hospital
who voted In the 18TH ward of the city Of New York for
and who had acquired residence in that ward previous
70 becoming such inmates were not qualified electors I'M
der The constitution and laws OF the State OF New York
WHISTLER hey cast their ballots David S Jackson or Jas
Monroe new election for member OF this House from
the 9th congressional district in the Safe OF New York be
Mr.. GREEN addressed the House in support of the
right OF Mr. JACKSON to retain his seat.
MIR. CONGER followed in support of the claim of the
Mr. EMBREE desired to submit, an amendment which
being read for information, found to be the in
effect as that submitted by Mr. Burt and it
MIR. JENKINS followed in explanation and support OF
the minority report. and in reply the arguments sub
mted upon the r; other side side Of the question.
the Irevious question: but withdrew at the request of
MIR. BURT, who modified his amendment 10 read as
follows, viz:
Strike Gu all Of Mr. JENkNs's amendment after the word
it does not satisfactorily appear that either David S
sentative in the 30h Congress Of the United States from the
sixth congressional district in the State Of New York. and
that vac incy exists in that congressional district
Mr.. MONROE said he had proposed to address the
House on this subject under its indulgence but suffering
from the effects OF cold contracted at the fire last
night. and seeing disposition totake the question: he
would decline any extended notice of the case which had
occupied him now more than four months in the prepare
ton. He would merely present few of the strong
points Having come into this contest in compliance with
the wishes oil the people of the sixth district, and with
desire on his own part 10 purify elections he per-
fecty willing the issue should go TO the vote already
presented; declaring soemnly however, that he would
not have appeared in the contest at ALL # he did not be-
fore God believe that he was defending the rights Of the
people OF his district If the election to be
back 10 the people, he said there law of New
York under which special election could be held.
Ia VOICE. The governor can order eection] No
sir there never has been any law either under the old
the new constitution TO authorize special election
Whether the sixth district represented not does
not at all change the great pending questionable ques
ton OF the purity of elections. Mr. M said he was
not here conestlng merely as wing democrat ;
trated at the late election in the sixth congressional dis
tnct He had made out his to the best of his ability
He had done the best he could, considering that the law
OF New York made no provision to facilitate his nves
CATION. Tie was compelled to come here and get the
commission of this House before he could commence
Everything was against him; and amongst the Difficult
he was compelled 10 pay five dollars to the counsel
for the sitting member TO INDUCE him to bring certain
witness; and when he actually to the stand, his
memory was strangely short the subject about which
he was Intercepted He concluded by stating again that
the great purpose for which he had entered upon the
test was TO maintain the purity OF our elections.
Mr. JACKSON expressed his obligations to the major
y of the committee for the very satisfactory in
which they had proceeded this matter In reply to the
contestant he expressed his regrets that the gentleman
had thought proper to make attack the character of
the people of his district
NJ
Mr.. JACKSON then proceeded to review the evidence
IN the case and to make out his eecton-though all the
almshouse voters. excepting only such as were admitted
by the majority OF the committee to be residents Of the
eighteenth district TO be rejected; being interrupted
upon several points with explanations and corrections
suggested by the contestant.
nrepy to the protesatons of the contestant that his
chief object to protect the ballot box from fraud Mr.
j. told the gentleman that this his object he should
have instituted his complaint against the offending party
and taken the remedy which the law Provides and he
suggested that it was not yet too late for him to adopt
that course He should go before the magistrate of his
district and make his charge OF fraud, and there, upon
making oath of the fact, he might imprson the guilty
party Such course would go much further towards
protecting the baot-box from frauds, than all the pro-
testalons which the gentleman could make here.
In conclusion, he expressed his regrets upon being
compelled to take the floor upon this occasion He had
not intended to do so, and would not but for the exam.
pie OF the contestant He was entirely willing to have
ntrused the wholly to the decision of the House,
whouta word from either side but being thus called out,
he had complied under Of duty his constituents
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Indiana, demanded the previous
question; but withdrew for
Mr. WOODWARD who desired TO propose an amend
men saying that the debate and the entire consideration
of this question seemed to have too much respected the
rights of the conesting parties-eaving the rights
OF the people and the sanctions of principle too
much out of view. He considered that The terms of
the resolution should evnce the object of this inquiry
especially to be, to that the people of New
York be defrauded in the matter He had drawn up
resolution, which he desired to propose substitute
for the whole showing that the action of the House has
Especial reference 10 the rights of the voters OF New
York. 1t was wrong, while we considering the
rights OF these contestants, to lose sight of by far the
most important consderation-the purity of the ballot.
box. The substitute then read for information to
the effect following:
Whereas the evidence before the House not sufc lent
the question which of these contestants has been
elected the from sixth dis
trict of the State of New York. and either to seat
the House might be in derogation of rights of the
other and oil the people;
RsolUed. therefore, That vacancy be declared, and
election ordered.
Mr. THOMPSON, OF Indiana, then moved the pre.
vious question; which seconded-cuttng off this
amendment
The first question stated upon the amendment SUBJ
sttued by Mr. BURT; and the question being taken by
yeas and nays the yeas were 10, nays 100
So the amendment rejected
motion to lay the whole subject upon the table was
made and rejected.
The question required upOn the amendment submitted