CHAPTER XIX.
QUESTION OF THE VALIDITY OF SENATOR LAMAR'S ELECTION Mr.Blaine had been elected to the United States Senate from Maine, his term beginning March 4th, 1877.

The term for which Mr.Lamar, of Mississippi, had been elected, commenced at the same time.

It was not possible to have a Congressional investigation of the Mississippi election of 1875 unless the same should be ordered by the Senate,--the Republicans having a small majority in that body.

Each House being the sole judge of the elections and qualifications of its own members, the Senate could, of course, have Mr.Lamar's credentials referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections, with instructions to make an investigation of the methods used to carry the election.

This committee would ascertain and report whether or not there had been a legal and valid election in that State, and, pending the investigation and report by the committee and the disposition of the same by the Senate, the seat to which Mr.Lamar had been elected would remain vacant.