Fifteen of the most distinguished clergymen in the nation were summoned to Washington and made affidavits, stating that they had seen this tabulated statement twenty days before the election took place.
When Virginia's returns came in they were found to correspond in every detail to this tabulated report.
As nothing but a prophet, direct from God, could have foreseen the results exactly as they did occur, this tabulated statement was proof positive of fraud on a gigantic scale.
With this and a mass of other indisputable evidence at his back, secured by the shrewd Leonard, Bernard entered the contest for his seat.

The House of Representatives was democratic by a small majority.
The contest was a long and bitter one.

The republicans were solidly for Bernard.

The struggle was eagerly watched from day to day.

It was commonly believed that the democrats would vote against Bernard, despite the clear case in his favor.
The day to vote on the contest at last arrived and the news was flashed over the country that Bernard had triumphed.