The Madisonian., 1840-02-04
VIRGINIA UNITED STATES SENATOR.

An attempt was made 10 elect Senator In
place Of MIR. Rves, by the Legislature, on
the 29th ultimo, and continued, without sue
cess, on the 3Oth and 3lst The result of
the first days ballotings was as follows:
Whole number of votes, l66
Necessary to a choice, 81
For w. g. Rives, in the House, 20
:" in the Senate, 1888
For J. Y. Mason, in the House, 81
. So in the Senate, 1870
Scattering, in the House, 3; in the Senate l.
Mr.. Rives, therefore, lacked but one uote
of an election.
On the second trial, Mr. Mason received
so votes, but there was no other change.
The impracticable, or as they have been
more emphatically called, the damnable"
gentlemen in the House, were Messrs. Graf
ford, Of Elizabeth City, &c. Smith, Of
Gloucester, and Bayly, Of Accomac-3.
Two Of these memorable gentlemen de-
fined their position" on the first day, as fol-
lows:
ed ITSELF whether it elected Mr. Kives or no. He said
he almost alone. One by the Imprac.icables
had departed from him. But yet he would have Glou-
cester' (Mr Smith Of G) by his side, aye, and War
wick (Mr Crsford,) too. Few and deserted they
were, they would have the consolation OF knowing
that they were contendng for truth, which their
guide.
BY leave Of the House. Mr. Crafford, to use his own
remarks "defned his position" He had been elected
as an Anti Riycs man. and not having received any
q eku k.
should for Mr. II he would adhere his position
almost alone he He could not 60 for Pfocla-
tion and Force Bill man, and who had aided the
passage Of the expunging resolution, an act for which
he expressed the warmest detestaton. Mr.. X. had
done that pitilul lie Whig-but not
Wing to run after men and loose sight Of principles
He should cast his vote upon gentleman worthy of 1t
upon genuine Wing
On the second day (3oth) Mr.. Rives re-
ceived on the first trial 80 yotes-Mason 81
Scattering 3. Mr.. Grievcr, in the House,
who voted for Mr. Riyes the first day, voted
for Mr.. Mason on the second day. Another
trial was made with the same result, and no
body was elected.
A motion having been made to postpone
the election, Mr.. BayIy again " defned' his
interesting position" as did also MIR. Smith.
Mr. Bayy did not mean to vote upon the question OF
postponement--the relation he bore towards the
grcnt parties in the House, prevented him from dong
| so. They might make their arrangements. He
knew would be the interests Of 80 polcians OF hun
dred to him Of defeating election He should
proudly dsdsln TO answer the accusation But he
wished il distinctly understood that had never been
| in his power 10 make election but yesterday. He
did not then do -and had he done it, no should have
| inc urred personal dlshonor. He rejoiced now that
that time was passed. and that his vote could not now
make an clection-he glad that the temptation was
removed from him. He further proceeded to allude TO
the attitude he sustained towards his constituents, and
the grounds he took before them the last election
! Mr. Bayly made some additional Misunderstanding
that his opposition to Mr. Rves' election. resulted in
no way from personal considerations, but from prnc-
pie Were he for him he should sacrifice every
| principle he held dear
Mr. Bayly said ha, there need be no pos.poncmcnt
on account Of any anticipation ha, he would be instruct
cd 10 vote for Mr. Rives He was as certain that he
would not be instructed as that he now speaking
He avowed that he would obey instructions formally
gotten up but he could not be controlled by letters from
pot house.p politicians.
I Mr. Smith OF G., cared not whether the motion to
pos,pone prevailed II conld affect his vote
He like his friend from Accomac, under nstruc-
| tions He pledged himself to his constituents last
sprng not to vote for either OF the nominees before the
House but to vote for Wing and candidate Of no
other party This he intended to do. Nothing could
alter his vote but Instructions and they must be salts
factory TO him.
Further proceedings were postponed until
the next day, when, as is rumored, Mr.. Rives
was dropped by the Wings, and Judge Allen
taken up. At the last accounts, us is re-
ported Mr.. Mason received 80 votes-Judge
Allen 63. and Mr. Rives 23