Massachusetts 1804 Speaker of the House

Office:
Speaker of the House (State)
Title:
Speaker of the House
Jurisdiction:
State
Label:
Massachusetts 1804 Speaker of the House
Date:
1804
State:
Massachusetts
Type:
Legislative
Iteration:
First Ballot
Office/Role:
Speaker of the House/Speaker of the House
Candidates:
Harrison G. Otis, Perez Morton, scattering
Candidates: Harrison G. Otis[1]Perez Mortonscattering
Affiliation:FederalistRepublican
Final Result: [2][3][4][5]1291033
House of Representatives1291033

Notes:

[1]Elected.
[2]"There were three scattering votes, two of them given by the candidates, and one by mistake." Columbian Centinel and Massachusetts Federalist (Boston, MA). June 2, 1804.
[3]The whole number of votes was 235; necessary to make a choice, 118.
[4]"In the House, the vote for Speaker and Clerk, shew, that the Federal Majority was TWENTY-SIX:--But we can assure the public, that this is not the whole Federal Majority:--We know of nearly twenty Federalists who have been elected; and who have from unavoidable circumstances been prevented attending at the opening of the session.--Of them, are Colonel LITTLE, of Newbury; Col. PORTER, of Hadley; Mr. CHURCH, of Sunderland; Mr. PHELPS, of Granville; Mr. GARDNER, of South Brimfield; Mr. HALE, of Long-meadow; Mr. BOWERS, of Somerset; Mr. HOWE, of Rutland; Mr. MARSH, of Douglas; Mr. PARRIS, of Heron; Col. FOXCRAFT, of New-Gloucester; Mr. M'COBB, of Boothbay; Mr. HASTINGS, of Hardwick; Mr. OAKMAN, of Pittston; Mr. DUNING, of Harpswell; Mr. WHITNEY, of Westminster; and several others. We state, as certain, that the Federal Majority of the members chosen, exceeds Thirty. On the other hand, nearly the intire strength of the democrats was on the ground.--We cannot enumerate more than ten or twelve that were absent;--They had been notified to attend early, by the Chronicle.--In addition to this, circulars were sent to the individual members.--We have seen one of them, sent, by mistake, to a federal member; and shall endeavor to obtain his permission to present the public with the curious mandamus." Columbian Centinel and Massachusetts Federalist (Boston, MA). June 2, 1804.
[5]"The federal majority is smaller in the House of Representatives this year than it was the last; yet it seems not certain from this, that the federal paty has declined in the State; for some towns have this year sent representatives which did not last; and others, which did last year, have neglected to this; so that the casual variation from year to year does not form a perfect criterion of change in the political sentiments of the people. It has been understood, that the Democrats have this year made uncommon exertions to bring about a representation as full as their numbers and the law would allow; whereas the Boston Gazette asserts, on the other hand, that it can reckon seventy federal towns that have not this year exercised their privilege of sending Representatives; and even the Chronicle allows, that though the federal candidate for the Speaker's chair had a smaller majority, yet that he had actually more votes, than he had last year.--On the whole, we believe there is good reason to say, that federalism is as strong as ever in Massachusetts." Salem Gazette (Salem, MA). June 1, 1804.

References:

The Salem Gazette (Salem, MA). June 1, 1804.
Columbian Centinel and Massachusetts Federalist (Boston, MA). June 2, 1804.
The Democrat (Boston, MA). June 2, 1804.
American Citizen (New York, NY). June 6, 1804.
The Virginia Argus (Richmond, VA). June 13, 1804.
Republican Star or Eastern Shore General Advertiser (Easton, MD). June 19, 1804.

Page Images

handwritten notes
Phil's original notebook pages that were used to compile this election. These notes are considered a draft of the electronic version. Therefore, the numbers may not match. To verify numbers you will need to check the original sources cited. Some original source material is available at the American Antiquarian Society).
handwritten notes
Phil's original notebook pages that were used to compile this election. These notes are considered a draft of the electronic version. Therefore, the numbers may not match. To verify numbers you will need to check the original sources cited. Some original source material is available at the American Antiquarian Society).

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