Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-12-19
TELEGRAPH NEWS.
DISPATCHES TO THE GAZETTE
FROM WASHINGTON.
CONGRESS.

CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 10, 1871.
The Senate passed the bill for erecting new
public buildings at Chicago.
The House OF Representatives was occupied
with uulmportant resolutions and reports
THE ALEXANDRIA DISTRICT ELECTION CASE
ARGUMENT BEFORE THE COMM. TEE
The committee on elections heard to-day the
argument IN the contested election case of Lew
is Mckenzie vs.. Elliot NJ Braxton for scat in
the House of Representatives from the Alex
andria district
The committee was well attended
But few persons were present, Mr. Mcken-
zie, E. Burke, and VIM. I. Carne being
the only AIexandrians in attendance.
Messrs. Geo. Tucker and l. Ii. Chandler APP
peared for Mr. Mckenzie. Mr.. Braxton APP
peared for himself
The case was opened by Mr.. Tucker, who set
forth Mr.. MckenZes claims in succinct ar
gument.
Mr. Braxton, in reply, dwelt at length on
what he styled the absurdity of coutending
that +. NJ Braxton did not refer to himself.
He alluded to the many afidavits showing that
there never had been any man in the district
with the initials f. NJ Braxton, except hiul-
self. He contended that the opinion Of Attor-
ney General Tucker in fact sustained his posi-
ton, for the names of those electors refused
were other sirnames entirely than those Tor
the regular candidate Even in that instauce
the six Breckenridge electors thus elected by
mistake declined to take advantage Of the mis-
take. What man claiming to be public repre-
sentative would rest his claims on such his
take as this.
The chair asked what would DO tie effect if
all the votes cast for b. NJ. Braxton were taken
for Elliott NJ. Braxton, and the votes which
were effectively returned left out
Mr.. Braxton replied that if they would give
him the votes cast for f. NJ. Braxton, Mr.. Nc
kenzie might have the rest. He CHR. B.
would then be elected b. large majority. As
to the ballots for 9. NJ. Braxton, that Mr.. b.
had been informed by the clerk at Culpepcr
Z. H., gentleman elected to office by both
parties did look like &C., but Il further in.
spection showed it to be an "E.
As to the informal return of the certificates.
Mr. B, contended that they were sufficiently
formal. IS to the numbering CT ballots as
violating the law of secrecy, MIR. Is. cGntended
that as matter of fact no Use had been made
of the numbers for that purpose. He concluded
as follows | am the first man Of my name that
has sat ia Il Congress Of the United States
since lI!6, when ali ilouurod ancestor pledged
his life, fortune and saered honor in the causc
Of freedom. | claim to have that honor yet,aad
[ only desire tG hold the seat, il may mold it,
honorably
Mr. Chandler said Mr. Braxton had taken a
view Of the subject entirely too narrow 1t Was
uot Il personal question, but ona CT national
Importance Mr.. G. then proceeded to read the
propositions on which he based the claim Of
Mr.. Mckcnzic to the seat:
lst. Votes for g. NJ Braxton. f. NJ BIax-
ton and Braxtop must be rejected.
I'd. That ballots which were numbered
should be rejected.
Sd. That returns lot signed and certified by
the Judges and attestcd by the clerk should be
rejected.
The Chair asked if Mr.. Chandler agreed
with Mr. Braxton that the misnomer was the
only practical question, ana that giving HIM
these votes he would be elected
Mr.. Cha,ldlcr--Certainly not sir If MIR.
McKeuAies case rests on that he has not the
ghost of chance. Mr.. G. continued at length
discussing the question in general terms. lie
did not believe that the votes cast for Elliot
Braxton or those for Brayton should be count
ed for Elliott ~ Rraxton. There was peculiar
reason for this in Virginia. A vast number OF
voters were uneducated not ct their own fault.
because the State law made it crime to edu-
cate them. Many Of them had: as slaves but
one name many Of them were named 'Brax'
ton, and the committee could see how eaaly
this class of persons could be imposed upon.
A meluber-Is there any proof that these
''Rraxton" ballots were meant for any one but
the sitting member
Mr.C said no. The Judges being Of Mr.. Brax-
tons political faith had counted all such bal
lots. If the sirname alone was sufficient why
not christian name. and thus votes cast Tor
Elliott or for Elliott NJ be counted Tor Mr..
| BraXton.
The second proposition was sustained by
reading the constitution and laws Of the State
in regard to the secrecy of the ballot, audlng
| especially to the fact that the Legislature al
first passed law to number the ballots, but,
| becoming frightened, backed out, and repealed
the law, but the spirit which enacted 1t was
still rife among the politicians, as the number
ing of the ballots in this case shows.
Mr. G.. coutended that 4 true count OF the
vote would he as follows: Lewis Mckenzie, j..
| Mckenzie, l.. H. Mckenzie and Mckenzie,
II 1914, Leave out / for Mckenzie, 90 Tor l..
| Fl. Mckenzie, 4l97 for Mckenzie not certified
bv the Judges and l5G ballots for Mckenzie with
numbers on them, and there remains for MIR.
| Mckenzie 6,74S votes.
Elliot NJ Brxton, f. NJ. Braxton. G. NJ.
Braston and Braxton received l2,1l9 votes.
Leave out 55l votes for G. NJ. BraZtOn. Brax-
ton, Elliot Braxton and 5lS3 votes for Braxton
not certified by the Judges and 553 Braxton
| ballots with numbers there remains for i5raXton
6432 votes
The committee then adjourned.