Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-07-24


cents upon the 500 value of property, to be
devoted to the purpose of schools.
Mr. AtLee, from the committee on claims, re-
ported adversely upon the petition of ohm
Van Horne. ED
Also, from the same committee, q bill to pay
to Henry Saunders S425, for the expense of
replacing the wall, steps, coping, &c, of his
premises on h street which were DESTROYED
by the alteration of the grade of said street.
Laid over. 800. s.
Mr.. AtLec, from the committee on elections.
submitted written report in regard to the
contested seats from the Fourth Ward, con-
Guiding as follows
SIN conclusion, therefore. your comm;ttae
beg leave to say that they believe the late
election to have been conducted i'm all respects
In accordance with the acquisitions of the civ
Charter, and the laws ems csed in pursuant g
thereof; that the commissioners of election i'm
the Fourth Ward discharged their duty on
That occasion justly and uprightly; and that
the entire proceedings, up to the final procla-
nation of the Mayor, were legal regular. and
respectfully submit the following resolution,
and recommend its adoption
The resolution declared A. Med. Davis, J.
L. Clements, and John Ball Justly entitled to
their seats in this Board as representatives
from the Fourth Ward.
MI Jefferson wished to state that the pro-
tests OF the contestants from the Fourth Ward
were handed to him to present to the Board,
and that he had not appeared before the COM
Inlttee as an advocate, as he might have been
called upon to act as judge upon the issue. He
had called upon one of the contestants. and
was informed by him that he supposed that
the afhdavits and other papers which were
used in the Board of Aldermen would also be
used in this Board. Mr.. j. then proceeded to
read letter which he had received from J.
A. Kennedy, when Mr.. Davis objected to the
further reading as being insulting and disre-
spectful to the Board.
The chairman (Mr. Lloyd stated the reading
was out of order.
Mr.. Jefferson was afterwards permitted to
| read the letter. as follows:
WASHINGTON, July %, 1855.
SIR As you are the member through whom
the petitions of myself and colleagues viz
Noble Young and John L. Clubb, have been
presented to the Board of Common Council,
L therefore consider it to be my duty after
consultation with my colleagues on the sub
ject, and from what has transpired in the
Board of Aldermen, on the petitions of Gideon
and Fitzpatrick, there is but little hope that
justice will be done in our cases
However if the opposition have any desire
to give the subject fair investigation-the
evidence is within their reach-it NAV be
found in the Board of Aldermen, where it was
filed in the case of Jacob Gideon The evil
dence is there produced by afidavits, to the
offered for us, besides many from the list pre-
scented by Thomas C.. Dom, Esq, one of the
commissioners all of which were illegally
thrown out of the ballot-box on the 4th day OF
June last.
In our opinion, there now remains nothing
more to be done by US. We fully believe
We are Justly entitled To our seats as mem
bers of the Board of Common Council, and
shall leave the matter with our friends to do
"a they think fit.
For myself. and in behalf of my colleagues,
| subscribe myself,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. KENNEDY.
To +. Jefferson, Of the Board of Common Coun-
ell, city of Washington.
Mr.. Jefferson in closing. offered a resolu-
ton requesting the loan Of all the papers on
file in the Board Of Aldermen relating to the
contested election Of Aldermen in the Fourth
and Fifth Wards.
Mr.. Alice objected, on point of order, that
the resolution offered by the committee was
before the board, and had the priority
The chair stated that such was the case
Mr.. jefferson moved to suspend the report of
the committee for short time, to have the
sense Of the Board taken On his resolution
which was as follows:
RESOLVED, That the Secretary be directed to
! request, in behalf of this Board from the
b Itrd of Aid. men, the loan of all the afida-
late election in the Fourth Ward.
The motion to suspend the rules for the con-
sideration of this resolution, was lost.
Mr.. Albert stated that as the committee pro-
fessed the utmost fairness, it would reflect a
higher degree of praise upon them if they
would consent To the production of the papers
desired. 1t was due To the contestants and TO
the committee, and should be allowed. Mr.
| Albert then moved to lay the report upon the
table for one week, with view that these pa
pers may be obtained and shown.
Mr.. Alice stated he was willing TO afford
every opportunity to all who would treat the
board and committee respectfully, but to per-
sons who insulted them he did not feel willing
to extend any courtesy.
Mr.. Walker, although he despised the char
acter Of one of the contestants, was willing to
give additional time.
Mr. Fuller, as one Of the committee. stated
that he thought that the parties had had time
enough to prove their claims if they could, and
everything they done was entirely fair and
we'll disposed towards the contestants. He
did not think more time ought To be allowed
and desired to have the matter settled to-
night.
Mr.. Jefferson had 10 personal interest in the
event, but acted upon the views of Mr. Ken
nedy, who wished a thorough investigation.
Mr.. Alice vas opposed to any further time
| being allowed them. Why did not the parties
pOnement! We were waiting for them, and
would have granted it.
Mr.. Albert then stated if the gentleman
really thought that the parties knew the pa
pers presented in the upper board were not in
the possession Of the committee, he would with
draw his motion.
Mr.. AtLee stated that there was nothing
SAID about these papers in the memorials of
the contestants.
Mr.. Jefferson stated that in conversation
with Mr. Kennedy, he (Mr. J.,) told him that
papers presented to one Board were not taken
to the other, and that Mr.. X. had better al
tend to the matter, which he promised to do
Mr.. Davis stated that afidavits were of no
use where the living witness can be produced,
and that this was well known rule of law.
The parties knew it. He. however, would
like to have some of those affdavits ex plained,
as one Of them stated that the subscriber was
upon the poll list, and two or three lin 5
below that he - was not upon the poll list. -