The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-05-13
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE CONTEST
IN THE sD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. OHIO.

CORRESPONDENTS RELATING TO THE CONTEST
in THE SD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, OHIO
The following interesting correspondence appears
in the Dayton ohio) Empire Of the 18th instant 1t
will be seen that Mr.. yallandigham with that gen
crosby which has ever distinguished his public as
well as private acts, valves all the advantages which
he possesses the legally elected member of Con
gress in the third district Ohio and proposes to his
opponent, Mr. Campbell, to submit the question
again to the people of the district for their final de-
cision:
HAMILTON, (ohio,) April 2, 1857.
SIR In December last, when at Washington, |
eeived your notice of purpose to contest my right to
seat in the Thirty Congress the representative of
the third congressional district of Ohio and answered the
in January also received there divers notices of
your intention to take dispositions touching the matter of
contest in this district at times when discharge of my
official duties member Of the Thirty fourth Congress
prevented from attending your examination of wit
nesses Since the adjournment of that body, my
turn home find that similar notices were left during
my absence, at my residence, which had been occupied
since November only by n colored servant woman in
whose charge it was left learn also that during my
necessary and unavoidable absence in Congress- You have
taken large number of dispositions in the counties of
Butler and Montgomery.
1t not until the night of the 18th ult that was
able to reach the district and therefore, have had
opportunity either personally to rossexamne the wit
nesses whose testimony you have taken, to take evil
dence in support of the validity of my election am in
formed ALSO that you have not awaited yourself of the
testimony OF number OF persons whose names men
toned in the notices you have served upon me
There is you doubtless aware, clause in the act of
Congress prescribing the mode of obtaining evidence in
Of contested elections which provides that tes
mony shall be taken after the expiration Of sixty days
from the day which the of the returned
Der shall be served upon the contestant understand
however that the practice Of Congress under the act has
been to regard this provision directory only and to receive
and consider testimony taken after the person limited
whenever just determination of the contest seemed to
require it.
Dos that all he material facts shall be fairly presented be-
fore Gagress deem it proper to advise you that will
hereafter proceed to take testimony in the case which
due notice according to law will be given you,) and to
suggest my entire willingness to enter into any mutual
agreement with you to waive any technical objection which
might be made the point of time in the taking of
timony either side. 1 propose, therefore mutual
agreement to that effect This would give to both of us
and friends fair opportunity to present all the facts
bearing upon the ISSUE and tend to prevent delay in the
final decision of the matter, well the increased
pcnse to the government, which would result a
cessy to take testimony after the meeting of Congress
will add, that have too much regard for the true
principles Of popular sovereignty to claim seat in the
Congress Of the United States although hold the
mission issued by the governor under the seal of the
Stae) unless have been lawfully elected to il by the
people, On the other hand, shall regard it most
solemn duty to the principle claim the under
any pressure of circumstance whether of public p
vae nature until after full and fair Investigation of the
facts it shall appear that the qualified voters of the dis
tct have not assigned it to Prcsuming that you
majortes shall rule respectfully ask your early reply
consenting to the propositions have submitted.
LEWIS ID. CAMPBELL.
CLEMENT L. VAuASDiGHAM, Esq