The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-07-21
GPUBLIc-No. 57.1

AN ACT relating to contested elec-
tions in the city of Washington
District of Columbia.
Be it enacted by the Senate and
House of Representatives of the
United States of America il Congress
assembled, That whenfyer any
person has received or shall
hereafter receive certificate
from the register of the city OF
Washington, based upon satisfactory
evidence furnished by the commits
sioners of election, notifying him of
his election to any elective Office of
said city, the person receiving such
notification shall be entitled to enter
upon the discharge of the duties of
his Office, and the certificate of the
register shall be prima facie evidence
of his election to and right to dis
charge the drties of said office.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted,
That any person who shall hinder or
obstruct person holding the certifi-
cate of election mentioned in the fore
going section from entering upon or
discharging the duties of such Office,
shall be deemed guilty of a misde-
ulCdu dI0 upOn bAOACOtg
in any court Of competent jurisdiction,
shall be fined in any sum not exceed
ing one thousand dollars, or be i'm
prisoned in the county Jail not ex-
ceeding six months, or both said pun
Ishments, in the discretion of the
court.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted,
That the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict of Columbia, or any Judge there
of, shall have jurisdiction to enforce,
by mandamus or otherwise, the right
of any person holding the certificate
mentioned in the first section of this
act. 49h Hats
SEC. A. And be it further enacted.
That any person who claims, or shall
hereafter claim, to be elected to any
elective Office in said city, may COM
mence proceedings before the said
supreme court of the District of Co
lumbia, by petition setting forth the
facts upon which he relies, and shall
serve copy on the incumbent or per-
son who has received the certificate
of election; and the person SO. served
shall make answer to said petition
within five days; and said court shall
thereupon try the rights of the parties
to said office in summary manner /;
and for that purpose a special ses-
sion shall be called and held when
ever necessary for the purposes of
such trial; and the decision of said
court in any case so brought before it
shall be final and conclusive. Aud
when the legal organization of the
board of aldermen or board Of com
mon council shall be delayed on ac-
count of any contest in relation to
the election of any member of either
Of said boards, the mayor Of said city
is hereby authorized to make tempo
rary appointment of all subordinate
officers whose appointments or election
is authorized by the said mayor and
embers of said boards under exist
ing laws, to continue until said boards
shall be legally organized.
SCHUYLER CoLFAX,
Speaker of HOatse Of Representatives.
b. +. WADE,
President of the Senate pro tenlpore
Endorsed by the President: = Re.
ceived June 10th. 1863"
GNoTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
STATE. The FOREGOING act having
been presented to the President oi
the United States for his approval
and not having been returned by him
to the House of Congress, in which
| it originated, within the time pre-.
scribed by the CONSTITUTION Of the
United States, has become Law
without his APPROVAL