The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-27
The Tenure ghomAs O.. Pratt, Senator from
Maryland.

For the Union.
The Tenure OF Thomas @. Pratt. As Senator from
Maryland.
As Congress will shortly assemble it is proper TO
direct public notice TO the tenure OF the Hon. Thomas G.
Pratt who claims represent the State of Maryland in
the Senate of the United States The questions involved
in his position have before arisen the practice OF the
government. but of high constitutional importance
and, the legislature OF Maryland will until
January, it is hoped that the Senate itself will proceed
assembling TO the investigation OF his right TO retain
his seat as member Of tina, body To this end i, may be
proper indicate the existing for such
In lsa9 the Hon. R,verdy johnson, elected senator
from Maryland for the term ending the 4,h March, 1851,
commissioned by President Taylor Attorney Cen
era and resigned his in the Senate Of the United
States The Hon. David Stewart appointed in his
room, by Gov. p f. Thomas, and held that Office until
the election of his The State legislature met
on the 3ist December, is49 On the 10Th OF January,
$780, message the State submitted in the
house of delegates proposing that they should proceed
elect senator TO supply the vacancy occasoned by the
resignation OF the Hon. Reverdy Johnson and announc-
ing that Thomas G. Pratt had been put in nomination by
the house OF delegates On the day the message
concuued in by the senate, and no other person
being placed in nomination, the balotng took place. Mr.
Pratt declared elected and the governor was request
ed to commission him for the term ending the 4h of
March, 1881.
Ga the same day another message was sent by the
house of delegates TO the senate proposing TO proceed
the election OF senator, 10 represent the State Con-
gress "or the term commencing The 4 of March. 1851,
al phid time the term Of serpies Of Thomas c. Pratt
nW haze erpired" and informing the senate tina, Thos
G. Pratt had been placed in nomination. The message
was assened TO by that body and no other name was
placed by it in nomination On reckoning the ballots il
discovered that eighty nine had been cast, Of which
Mr. Pratt had received yfour and all. sape too of
The remainder treys blanks Mr. Pratt was therefore, de-
cared elected for this last also and the governor
was, on the ilh Of January. requested to issue
missions for both the terms for which he had been
elected
The election OF Mr. Pratt for the term first referred TO
was formal and regular and the only opposition made
was the vote cast for the Hon David Stewart, in
pliment to his abilities. and public recognition OF the
propety of the selection made by Governor Thomas in
supplying the vacancy created by Mr.. Johnsons resgna
ton. strong opposition made, however, 10 the
election OF Mr. Pratt for the second term and when it
proved fruItess, The minority indicated their OF its
'mpropuey by casting blank ballots In the legislature
which will shortly assemble, this question will be
neweu Out nasmuch the action Of the Senate OF the
United States does depend will be seem upon the
appearance of contestant it ia proper in view Of the
late period at which the Legislature must assemble 10
make brief statement Of the arguments which would
seem demonstrate the notwithstanding of The eec
ton OF Mr.. Pratt for The term beginning on The an of
March, 1851.
That part OF the third section Of the frat article Of The
constitution OF the United States which ia applicable To
the case reads az follows:
"The Senate OF tbs United States shall be composed
OF two from each Saie chosen by the eesa-
ture thereof for six years, and each senator shall have
one vots