very much to the surprise of everybody, Rev. Gabriel Richard received the most votes. Mr. Richard's name had not been mentioned in any of the newspaper discussions preceding the election, and one who relied upon newspaper information to tell him of the political situation would have been astounded to learn that the reverend father had carried the day. The entire vote stood as follows: Gabriel Richard, 444; John Biddle, 421; Austin E. Wing, 335; James McCloskey, 164; A. G. Whitney, 165; John R. Williams, 51, and Abraham Edwards, 1. When the time came for the next election, Mr. Edwards was unable to obtain recognition in the Gazette and he inserted an advertisement as follows: "That if the people of Michigan think proper to elect him he will consider it to be his duty to accept the honor conferred on him." This is the first election advertisement in the state. The result of the election was in doubt for a long time. Returns were very slow in coming in, and the counting board were in doubt about the legality of some votes and of some districts. The candidates most prominent were John Biddle and Austin E. Wing. A satirical political catechism of the time was as follows: Query. What constitutes the right of suffrage in Michigan? Answer. The will of the secretary and treasurer. (They with the attorney general constituted the election board.) Q. What is that will at this time? A. That Mr. Wing should be delegate to congress and he is so. Perhaps vain. Q. Q. By what authority did the secretary and treasurer decide the man having the less number of votes elected? A. By the civil and admiralty laws of England. Q. Do the arbitary laws of England rule the elections of this territory? A. Yes, if the occasion requires. Tyranny there must be supported by precedent and none better for the purpose than the election rules of the Great Monarch George Third." The return of the county canvasser was that Biddle received 734 votes, Wing 731 votes, and Richard 724 votes. These returns and the poll list having been placed before the canvassers they made the following report: Austin E. Wing received 728 votes. Gabriel Richard received 724 votes. The certificate of election was given to Wing, but a contest was immediately entered in Washington. The contest lasted until March 20, 1826, but was not even then decided. The report of the contest (Contested elections, page 515) says, "and Mr. Wing continued to sit as delegate." Mr. Wing was re-elected in 1827. In 1829 John Biddle was elected, but Wing succeeded him in 1831. In 1833 Lucius Lyons was delegate and his term lasted until the formation of the state government. In the fall of 1835 it was not known whether Michigan would become a state or would remain a territory. William Woodbridge allowed his name to be presented for delegate and was declared elected and the certificate of election was granted to him. This was, of course, upon the supposition that Michigan would remain a territory and only a very few votes were cast for delegate. A few days after the certificate was given to Mr. Woodbridge the election returns began to come in from the Wisconsin and Iowa districts, where a heavier vote was cast. From the returns it appeared that George W. Jones had received the greater number of votes and another certificate was issued to him and he took his seat as delegate. In the meantime Michigan, as a state, elected a representative and two senators, but they were not recognized by Congress. Jones continued to sit as delegate, though in reality he represented Wisconsin and Iowa and not Michigan and she was without representation.-C. M. B. |