The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-27
ELECTION IN NEBRASKA,

Many conflicting statements, respecting the
election for Delegate in Nebraska Territory,
have been published. By some, it is represent
ed as having been q contest between the Ad-
minnsraton and its opponents, and Mr. Chap
man, who, iS said, ifss received the certificate,
although he did not receive a majority of the
votes cast, is reported as the Administration
candidate. So far as we can Judge, this was
not the character of the contest. 1t turned
chiefly upon local questions. Whether Mr..
Chapman was legally elected or not, will be a
question for the House of Representatives to de-
eide. Without intending to offer any opinion
on the case, we give place to a letter from
Omaha City, written by q supporter of Mr..
Chapman, and handed to us for publication:
OMAHA CITY, N. T., Nor. &c, 1865.
Early in the campaign, Judge Hiram P. Ben
nett, of Nebraska City, was announced as the
champion of Southern Nebraska, and war was
declared against the north of the Platte In
his progress through the lower portion of the
Territory, | am informed, he appealed to the
prejudices of the people against the North, and
assayed to excite sectional jealousies among
them. Mr.. Giddings, the former Delegate, and
Gibbs, both OF the same place, were also in the
field. Knowing the antagonistio position OF
Judge Bennett towards our portion of the Terri
tory, and fearing his election would not secure
for US Delegate who would fairly represent
the whole Territory we here felt extremely anx-
ious to see some one opposed to him on whom
we could rely. The prospect indeed was
gloonly-tle multiplicity of candidates present
ing themselves seemed to forbid all hopes of
concentrating the vote against him who was
termed "our common enemy" The people,
| however, took the matter in hand-a Conven-
ton was called, irrespective Of party, at Omaha,
| and it was resolved to select one from among
the aspirants, and make him the standard.
bearer" The choice fell on Bird b. Chapman,
and, to the honor of his competitors, | with
| pleasure can add that with one ignoble excep-
| ton, who, though Withdrawing from the candi-
dacy, continued throughout the contest to give
" aid and comfort to the enemy,) they all fell
into line, and supported the nominee. The
canvass was conducted with much spirit. Mr..
Chapman took high grounds before the people,
announced himself as the friend Of the whole
observation-disclosures the sectional issues which
were set up by his opponent, contemning the
cry of "the south of the Platte" and "the
north of the Platte" and sought to alay this
kind of feeling. Messrs. Giddings and Gibbs
also falling into the ranks left clear field for
Chapman and bennett Notwithstanding the
short interval between the nomination and the
day of election, Mr.. Chapman was elected by a
small majority. Some twenty votes in the
Halfbreed reservation" were cast for Ben
nett, which were illegal, as that reservation had
been excluded in the census proclamation of
Governor lizard. On Friday last however, the
Territorial Board Of Canyassers met, composed
of Secretary Cumming, Auditor Smith, and
Treasurer Rankin, and the returns were open
ed, when it appeared that of the legdIly return.
ed votes Mr.. Chapman had received a majority
of etghty-etght. This result was arrived at in
consequence of the illegality of the returns rfon
several OF the counties, some of them being un-
accompanied with pollbooks, others wanting
the certificate of the County Clerk. and, in one
or two instances, lacking both of these essen
tails. One precinct in Richardson county gave
seventy-six votes to "Henri P. Bennett {" In
Judge Benefits own county, (Otoe.) the re.
turns were sent up from the several precincts
to the ---'arv of the Territory, instead of to
the County Judge, for the action On ~ -'''"''
Board of Canvassers. The Territorial Board
of Canvassers, with this state of affairs before
them, called in Judge Bradley, of the United
States District Court, and District Attorney
Esterbrook, for advice, and, in accordance with
their opinions, these illegal returns were thrown
out. The result was as above stated, and Mr.
Chapman received the certificate Of election,
and has already left for Washington. Mr.. Ben
nett, understand, has also departed, with the
view of contesting Chapman's seat. What the
result will be, L cannot say but what it should
be, those here who are familiar with all the cir
cumstances can readily decide. Chapman has
undoubtedly majority of all the legal votes !;
for, besides the hslfbreeds who voted for Mr.
Bennett, there we're some dozen votes polled
for him in Washington county by citizens Of
Iowa, which fact can be established if necessa-
~. Respectfully yours, &C., -,