Hinds' Precedents of the House of Representatives of the United States (Volume 1); Organization, Apportionment, Qualifications, Prima Facie Title, Ele

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907. Excerpt: ... Chapter XXVI. GENERAL ELECTION CASES, 1840 To 1850. 1. The "Broad seal case" in the Twenty-sixth Congress. Sections 791-802. 2. Cages from the Twenty-sixth to the Thirty-first Congresses. Sections 803-820.1 791. The election case of the New Jersey Members in the Twentysixth Congress, called the " Broad seal case." An instance wherein the House, at the time of organization, declined to give prima facie effect to credentials in due form, but impeached by documents relating to the fact of election. The House having historic knowledge of an election contest, referred the subject to the committee with instructions, although neither party was petitioning. The House having, of its own motion, decided to examine an election, a copy of the resolution was served on the parties. On December 2, 1839, when the House met to organize for the Twenty-sixth Congress, a question arose as to the right to seats of five persons claiming seats from New Jersey by virtue of the certificate which each bore from the governor of the State. These credentials were in due form and under the seal of the State, whence arose the designation of the resulting proceedings as the "Broad seal case." In opposition to the claim of the duly certified claimants there appeared five other claimants, with documents tending to show their actual election. After a long struggle, in the course of which the five certified claimants were not permitted to vote for Speaker, the House was organized 2 and proceeded to business, five of the New Jersey seats remaining vacant, and there being ten claimants thereto. 1 Additional cases in this period, classified in different chapters, are: Twenty-eighth Congress, cases of New Hampshire, Georgia, Mississippi, and Missouri Members. Section 309. Twenty-ninth Congress,...