Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-25
+" loyalty . of Graves and denying that Of
Davidson.
Pending hisspeech, the House adjourned
till o'clock P. N.
AFTERNOON SESSION.


The HoUse met at 2 O'Clock 2. n. Mr..
Clements resumed his speech in the con-
tested election case from jackson, which
be continued till the expiration of the time /
allowed by the House. He read additional (
certificates, and referred to the law regu-
lating elections, denonHcing Rebel in |
huence as exercised upon the elections held |
in that section Of the State; contending |
and closing with assertions that the loyalty |
Of Graves and the legality of his election
entitled him 10 the seat while the very
opposite considerations disqualified Mr.
Davidson, one Of the contestants.
Mr.. Davidson replied at some length,
vindicating himself from the charge of
disloyalty, and asserting the legality of his
election He closed by leaving his case in
the hands of the House, saying he would
be satisfied with the result
Judge Brien, in some brief remarks, en-
deaYored to remove some Of the misappre-
tensions existing in the mind Of the mem
Der from Macon, in regard to elections, and
read that part of the statute regulating the
same. His remarks clearly defined the du-
ties and powers of sherifs, and other coun-
ty officers, in regard to elections. He re
garded the election as illegal-as not being
| in accordance with the laws regulating cleo
tions Judge Brien also pronounced the
| motion Of the member from Macon Mr..
Clements ont of order.
Mr.. Wines, OF Montgomery, urged expe-
dition, and thought time was being con-
sumed to little purpose
The debate becoming general, Mr. Glenn
ents withdrew his motion of nOn-concur-
| renee.
Mr.. Lellyette, Of Davidson, made some
| applicable remarks. He said that Mr.
| Davidson was a member, and had been re-
ceiyed as such. A vote now declaring his
seat vacant would be in one sense tanta-
mount TO expulsion. The franchise was a
dear privilege, and has been esteemed as
such. Jackson county was entitled to rep
resentation.
Mr.. Clements replied briefly, and was
followed by Mr.. Davidson in some explana-
tory remarks, es affecting the election in
Jackson. He also read the franchise law
regulating the same, and urging the jus
tice of his claim to the contested seat, say
ing farther, that Mr. Graves, his competi-
tor, was not entitled to the seat, IS he had
not complied with the requirements of the
law upon the subject
Mr.. Smith, of Hardeman, responded :
He said the testimony was full explicit
and clear, and that after a full investiga.
ton of the evidence, they had, as the best
that could be done, thought it best to de-
clare the scat vacant He called for the
previous question, which was the adoption
Of the report of the Committee on Elec.
tons. declaring the seat vacant. The vote
, was taken upon the report, which resulted
in affirmative 20, negative 80. The adop
ton was therefore rejected.
= Mr. Clements then offered a resolution
declaring that Mr.. Davidson was not emit
, tied to the seat, and that Mr. Graves was
Under suspension of the rules, the resolu
ton was taken up. Some confusion ensued
several members speaking at once. On Z
point Of order, the vote on the adoption oil
: Mr.. Clements resolution was taken on s
! division of the resolution, which resulted
affirmatiyely.
Col. Patton offered as an amendment, q
l resolution to the effect that Mr.. Graves, be
ing duly elected, was entitled to the con
tested seat from jackson.
: Mr.. Richards opposed the resolution a:
! placing the House in an awkward attitude
as by the rejection of the report of the com
mittee by the House, it was declared tha
! the seat of Mr.. Davidson was not vacant
Such asstep would be wrong and absurd.
Col. Patton withdrew his resolution.
On motion of Mr.. Maxwell, of Hardin
it was agreed to reconsider the vote on thi
l report of the Committee on Elections, which
, had been rejected.
, Considerable confusion again ensued
J which was settled on point of order, ant
the vote was taken on the motion to recon
t slider, which resulted-yeas SO, nays %.
The vote being carried in the affirmative
the vote on the adoption of the original're
o port of the Committee on Elections wa
r now in order.
+ The yeas and nays being called for, tn
vote resulted-yeas 80, nays %.
+ On the reconsideration the report wa
therefore adopted, and the seat from JACK
: son declared vacant.
b The House adjourned till 10 o'clock to
morrow morning,