Bailey v. Burns

This petition for a writ of mandamus seeks to compel the respondent, in his capacity as Secretary of of State, to forthwith give the oath of office to the petitioner William H. Bailey as representative of the 19th Representative District. The respondent filed an answer and memorandum of law in opposition to 'the petition. We assigned the matter for oral argument on February 11, 1977. See Bailey v. Burns, 117 R.I. 979-80, 368 A.2d 583 (1977). After that hearing we entered an order granting the petition, directing the alternative writ to issue forthwith, and assigning the case for oral argument…