The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-07-31

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BOARD OF ALDERMEN, July 27.--The majority
Committee TO whom was referred the case Of the
contested seat Of the member from the Fourth
Ward, having decided that their candidate, John
II. Goddard, was elected to seat in their Board,
notwithstanding the fact that his opponent Mr.
Emery, received the largest number of votes, on
the first OF June last, the day OF election, and was
declared elected and took his seat reported to the
Board two resolutions, one declaring the seat of
Mr., Emery vacant, and the other declaring Mr.
Goddard duly elected 10 the vacancy thus arbitra
rily and unlawfully created.
The proceedings on this occasion are marked
by the same disregard of rropricty and decency,
which always characterize the doings of that party
when an end is TO be accomplished necessary to
the contamination of their designs.
o sapent legislators 0 wise eounscllors you
have imnortaliztd yourselves. Future generations
shall rise up and call youG') A substitute for bal
lot-box stutfing has been found Ho! We En-
pires J" yonr services are no longer needed by the
immaculate Democracy Your occupations gone.
YonW get no more money. There's no more dirty
work for you to do. Democracy has become lit
work aud sava their money.
All that is necessary aop 10 accomplish the de-
feat of political opponent, even though he have
majority Of votes cast in his favor and is declar-
ed lawfully elected, is toprocure a sufficient num-
Der Of constitutional voters TO swear that they in
tended to vote for the Democratic candidate but
that they did not do So from fear or cowardice, or
some other convenient motive
That's the way to do it, Mr. Goddard was de-
clarcd to have been elected over Mr.. Emery, be-
cause certain number OF the Irish Brigade cer-
tilted that they INTENDED 10 have voted for Mr..
Goddard. An intention TO vote for Mr.. G.. is
equal to vote, therefore Mr.. G is Intentionally
declared entitled to the seat by Board Of Alder
men in preference to the man for whom the peo-
pie voted and whom they elected.
These proceedings ore more than scandalous--
they criminal.
The minority committee We're denied the privi-
lege of cross examining Witnesses
They were not allowed to examine the affidavits.
Alderman Smith asked to have the Report and
resolutions printed and made the special order for
Monday next, in order that time might be afford
ed to examine the Report and testimony, to ascer-
tain how far they justified the Introduction of the
resolutions therein contained, which vacated Mr
| Emory's seat and allowed Mr. Goddard TO take it.
This was refused by a strong party vote.
| Mr.. Smith commended that the Board had no
right to vacate the aeat-that he case should be
referred back TO the people for their decision
| The President here ruled that Mr. Emory was
not entitled TO vote. An appeal was taken and
the chair was sustained on said appeal by the vote
ofthe presiding officer, (Mr: Bayly,) from whose de-
cision the appeal was taken.
| Mr.. Emory, at this stage of the proceedings
rose in his place and resigned his seat as mem.
Der of the Board from the Fourth Ward, aud left
| the room.
| The chdir ruled his resignation out Of order
An appeal was taken, and the chair was sustained
by the Board, Mr.. Bayly voting to sustain his own
decision. The question then arose ON the passage
of the first resolution to exclude Mr.. Emory from
seat in the Board, which was carried, the Amer.
lean members refusing to vote, on the ground that
Mr. Emory had resigned his seat
The second resolution, giving TO Mr.. Goddard
the seat, thus vacated, was carried by strict
party vote.
A few minutes after, Mr.. Goddard with charac-
teistic modesty, appeared in the Board, was sworn,
ane took his seat, and thus was accomplished the
end which these intentional voters had ia view,
and thus was a man declared to be elected who,
for the part he took in the scenes Of bloody Mon
day." was repudiated and defeated by members Of
his own party. Thus endeth the first lesson.