Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-27
The New Jersey Senatorial ElectOn-Mr
Stockton,

The old and the middle-aged will all remem-
Der the famous New Jersey contested election
that attracted so large share Of public atten-
ton and caused an unusual stir in political
circles. The same State appears before the
country in connection with another contested
election, which is marked by some peculiar
aud interesting features. 1t is the case Of Sc
nator STOCKTON, and the facts are as follows :;
he and Mr.. Ten EYCK were the candidates
before the Legislature for the vacant Senator
ship. Nine Democrats refused to 60 into the
caucus by which he was nominated, which in
spired the Republicans with the hope that by
shrewd management they might elect a Repub-
lican Senator, and they set their wits to work
TO plan q continuance by which TO bring about
this result. In New Jersey it has been the
custom, since the foundation of the Govern
Inent, for the Legislature, when making an
election, to assemble in joint meeting. The
Constitution of the United States OrdainS
that the manner of holding elections for Sena-
tors and Representatives shall be prescribed in
each State by the Legislature thereof, subject
regulations, except as TO the places Of choosing
Senators. In New Jersey the joint meeting
of the two Houses is by the State Constitution
denominated the Legislature. They are merged
into one body, so that an election may be eff
fected against the entire vote of the members
of one House if the person voted for receive the
requisite number of votes from members Of the
other House.
A rule existed, made by the joint body, re-
quiring a majority to elect. Under this rule
numerous State officers were chosen in Feb
ruary. In March this rule was substituted by
the foil owing:
Resoired, That the resolution that no candidate
shall be declared elected unless upon receiving a
MAJORITY OF the votes Of all the members elected 70
DOth houses OF the Legislature be rescinded, anu
that any candidate receiving plurality Of the votes
oil the members shall be declared duly elected"
Mr.. Stockton declares that this new rule
was adopted by Republican votes in the hope
Of eleeting Republican Senator. This was
the continuance to which we have referred.
and which failed as the result proved. The
joint meeting was composed Of eighty-ope men,
bers in all-the whole number being present
and the resolution was passed by a vote of for
ty-one in the Affirmative, of whom eleven wers
Senators and thirty Representatives, to forty
in the negative, Of whom ten were Senator,
and thirty Representatives. The joint meet
ing then proceeded to make the election O
Senator in Congress with the following result
JOHN P. Stockton, forty votes G.. c. TE
EYcK, thirty-seven votes G. w. WALL, on
vote P. D. YROON, one vote +. I. FRELINC
HUYsON, one vote, and G. II. LITTLE, one vote
Hon. JOHN P. STOCKTON, having received
plurality of all the votes cast, was duly d.
clared elected. Mr.. STOCKTON received h
credentials under the great seal of the Con
monwealth of New Jersey, and signed by th
Governor. No objection was made at the tim
% the validity of the election; but subst
ouently, it was objected to by protest, signe
~ EIGHT Senators and thirty members of tn
House. This protest was sent to the Senate
49,. Irnited States, and the whole subject va
.af.rred to the Judiciary Committee, of Whic
.I,dvs FxuuBuIL is chairman. This eOmmitte
- 10 report, in which the whole subje'
-. presented briefly, clearly and ably, and
a.Sorrb five of the seven members OF the con
m,,tss were Republicans, the law was sOeleal