The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-27
The Sew semntor From NeN Ierser.

YESTERDAY the Legislature of New Jersey
elected the Hon. John 2. Stockton to the
United States Senate for the full term Of six
years commencing with March 4th next.
Senator Stockton comes of an illustrious race
both his father and grandfather having served
In the Senate before him, the position being a
sort Of heirloom OF the family, which the De.
mocracy of New Jersey are always willing
to recognize whenever they have the power
His great grandfather was also one OF the
siRners of the Declaration of Independence
lie was born August 3, 1926 at Princeton, New
Jersey, and pursued his studies at the college
there located, graduating in 1913. Having
studied law, he was admitted to the bar in 1916
and in 1919 commenced the practice of
the profession. Through the great in q.
fluence of his family and name, though not
without some regard TO his natural and ac-
quired abilities, he early entered into public
life, the first position he held being that OF a
commissioners TO revise the laws of New Jersey
to which he was appointed by the State Legis-
lature. He was also, tor several years, the State
Reporter of the Court of Chancery, and three
volumes of reports bearing his name were
published, In 1853 he was appointed by Presi-
dent Bucbau an Minister Resident at Rome, the
appointment being generally regarded at the
time as n sort OF honorary Punishment, to get
rid of his claims upon more important
position. On the election of Mr.. Lincoln
he was recalled at his own request
he then resumed the practice of
the law, interrupt; ed, up 20 the present time
only by his blief career III the Senate. In 1865
he was cleo d to that body by the Legislature
for the term ending in 1871. There was an
alleged iIregularity in bis election and when
mis- case came before the Senate it gave rise to
a protracted and very bitter debate.
His claims upon the seat were
nIl mfr ed nv of fO ~
cldipg vote having been caGt by himself The
question, however, was reconsidered, and he
then declined to vote, and lost his seat on the
9Th of March, 1865, the final vote standing % to
u in favor OF declaring his election Illegal. The
vacancy thus created gave rise TO the most
bitter Senatorial contest ever waged in
New Jersey. Some OF the Republican Senators
had sustained his election, and one Of the Re
publican members of the State Senate was
prompted, for lime, to do the same thing. The
parties in the State Senate being nearly equally
dividtd d, the vote Of this one Republican men,
Der was sufficient to prevent the two branches
OF the Legislature from going into u joint con-
vention for the purpose of filling the vacancy.
The dead lock continued so long that Congress
at last passed the law regulating the election OF
United States Senator'S by which the Legisla-
lures of the several States are compelled to pro.
ceed to an election, il case of a present or
prospective vacancy, at certain specified time.
The first result of this law was the election Of
Hon, Alexander q. Cattell to fill the vacancy,
which event occurred at a special session OF
the Legislature held in September, 1866. Sena-
Tor Stockton is, OF course, Democrat OF de-
cided views, but lis personal character is un.
furnished, and he will reflect credit upon the
high position which he has at last achieved in
an entirely regular manner His present cleo
tiou was regarded as necessity by the New
jersey Democracy, to justify their former action
and remove tie alleged indignity heaped upon
Mir. Stockton by his rejection in 1866. He sue
ceeds Senator Frelinghuysen. one OF the ablest
uemL els Of the Senate.