The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-01-24

ALBANY, Jan. 81, 1919.
The Last Senatorial Coucus-Stuards actual
Strength in the Stnaie-II,s Friends IN the House
The I,nportan mt SUIT ~ Relation to The Van
Rensselaer, Title, &c., &c.
In telegraphlc despatch, which transmitted to
you last evening, mentioned that during the de-
bate which occurred in The secret caucus OF the
wing Senators, on Friday evening, the important
fact was elected that there was majority agalns,
the election of Mr.. Seward to the United States
Senate; this fact is incontestible. There are, In
deed, in the present Senate only four men who are
"Seward men," according to the common applI-
cation of that term. These four are, Messrs Cole,
Cook, Cornwell, and Coffin; they are the only
Senators who can be regarded as pledged to vote
for Seward, and certain to vote for him. Of the
political existence of Mr. Comwell nothing is
known beyond the period when Mr.. Seward took
him in hand. Seward is his patron, his tutor, and
his idol. Mr.. G. is man of toerable talent, he
Is not an educated man, and his profession has
been that OF teacher IN some of the Summaries
OF schools; he studied law, and, believe, occupies
a good position at the bar. Mr.. Coffin, of Dutch
ess, is member of the Society of Friends; he is,
in my Judgment, an honest man; he possesses large
sympathies, and is a faithful and industrious Sena-
fore, entitled to praise. of Messrs. Cole and Cook
! know little; Mr. Cook, however, seems to stand
well with his friends. In this view Of the case,
Mr.. Seward beng in minority IN the Senate,
the Assembly has been and will continue to be
the contested ground. In that body Mr.. Seward
has, without doubt, number OF powerful friends !;
he will get the votes OF some members who are
known to me as noble and true men-wno are
open handed and warm hearted, and who are de-
Gen. Lewis AverIl, Of Montgomery; E. w.
Fi.ke, Of Kings; Robert II. PIuyn, OF Albany (;
Hollis White: of Niagara, and John A. Cross, OF
Kings, &c. &c. But though Mr.. Seward can
claim such men as his friends, he will be opposed
by men quite as worthy and rreproachable; if he
is elected, shall be ready to confess that am an
Indifferent Judge OF men. ] wish to record my
On Wednesday evening next, the wing Senators
will hold second caucus, when 1t will be de-
cided wbe ther Joint caucus OF the two houses
shall be held, for the purpose Of discussing the
critical and and delicate matters connected with
This subject.
| have already informed you, that the Governor
has appointed Wm II. Seward counsel for the
State, in the important and extraordinary trial
stroyIng ard Inv ada,ng the title of the Van Rens-
selser family TO The lands known as "the Van
Rensselaer, manor" lying IN and adjacent to this
equity. Mr.. Ambrose L. Jordan, the Attorney
General Of this State, is associated with Mr.. Sew
ard, as counsel for the people; Mr.. John c.
az counsel for the defendants. Mr.: John G.
Spencer is one of the most profound lawyers IN
This country, he is a man of genius, and that
genius with which he has been endowed has been
disciplined by the most Jealous and laborious
Study. A political error, which he IS charged
withal wi hen he was Secretary to President Tyler,
s ms to have utterly ruined his chances of reach
Ing that great position Of honor and fame which
BELTS his genius end his Learning But he is a
gre at man, and should not be sacrificed Tor one
political error, II he hascommitted it. The action,
TO which have referred. Is already commenced ;
II he's been noticed tor trial at the February term
of the Supreme Court, which will be held in Sara
Il "a county IT is probable that the trial will be
postponed but il it should actually take place, the
Arguments Of counsel and a detailed report OF the
testimony, &c, should be gwen IN the Herald.
TIE counsel for the people have already served
their complaint upon the counsel for the deien-
dents; and the latter for the cake OF argument adj
mt. or do not undertake to deny, the facts reclted
IN this complaint; IN their answer, which they
have served upon the counsel for the people, they
rely upon law OF this State, passed in 1913. The
following Is the lr answer; il was drawn by Mr..
John G. Spencer
SUPREME COURT.
The People If the State If New York against WI
Hdm Pa1 Rsn0eIosv, Charles b. lansing, .aadrsp
waite, Jamss c. Bell and Jessph adams There de-
PENDANTS answsrpg the complaint Of the people efths