Sol #1231 — Seneca Nation v. Jimeson: acting president protected; council may authorize counsel

Finding #1231 recovers The Seneca Nation of Indians v. George T. Jimeson, 62 Misc. 91–94 (Erie Special Term, January 1909). After the November 1908 Cattaraugus election, Frank L. Patterson occupied the presidency while defeated candidate George T. Jimeson disputed the result and asserted a later election of his own.

Justice Wheeler refused to lift a preliminary injunction against interference with Patterson’s exercise of office, following Seneca Nation v. John (#1230). He also held the Nation could bring the action through a lawyer authorized by its governing council — not only through the state-appointed attorney under Indian Law §74. Neither final election judgment nor a finding that bribery was true resulted.

Separations: George T. Jimeson ≠ Emeline Jimeson (#1229); Cattaraugus 1908 ≠ Allegany; ~64-vote majority is motion-record approximation not audited tally; $10 motion costs ≠ title judgment. Counsel ruling is Nation-level, not every individual Seneca suit.

Source: 1909-seneca-nation-jimeson-election-council-counsel.

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