A Time to Step Forward.

Posted By Cliff Tuttle | July 30, 2011

No. 667

The country was confronted with the first great constitutional crisis in its short history.  The presidential election of 1800 had been thrown into the House of Representatives.  The Constitution provided that if no candidate achieved a majority in the Electoral College, the election would be decided by the House of Representatives. But after numerous votes, the House proved to be deadlocked.

Aaron Burr, who was supposed to be the Republican choice for Vice President, refused to yield.  In the end, Alexander Hamilton, the leader of the vanquished and soon-to-be-extinct Federalist Party persuaded a few of the Federalist members to vote for Jefferson.  No easy decision, since  both Jefferson and Burr been bitter political rivals of Hamilton. He didnt’t do it for political reasons. He did it for the good of the Country.

Two Hundred and eleven years later, the Congress is deadlocked on another critical vote.  No one knows for certain what lies on beyond  next Tuesday.  We need another Hamilton.

CLT

Welcome

CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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