 When Maxwell concluded his argument , ex @-@ Governor Bradley spoke on Taylor 's behalf . After reiterating Taylor 's legal claim to the office of governor , he answered the question of jurisdiction by citing Thayer v. Boyd , a similar case in which the court had assumed jurisdiction . He further quoted authorities who opined that an elected office was property , using this to contend that Taylor 's rights under the Fourteenth Amendment had been violated , thus giving the court jurisdiction . Also , Bradley asserted , the election of some members of the Assembly 's contest committee would hinge on the decision of that very committee . At least one member of the committee was known to have wagered on the election 's outcome . These facts should have nullified the decision of the committee and the Assembly on the grounds that it had left some members as judges of their own cases . Finally , Bradley cited irregularities in the proceedings of the contest committee , including insufficient time given for the review of testimony provided in written form by Taylor and Marshall 's legal representation . Following Bradley 's argument , the court recessed until May 14 , 1900 . 
