The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-02-13

| of Assembly, Ex-Governor Fish received the nomi-
nation by majority of almost two to one, viz:
Hamilton Fish, Wing IS
John A. Dix, Democrat -2l
Sundry other persons 30
The Senate, however, after two Intellectual bal
lots, adjourned without making a nomination and
consequently no joint meeting could be held
under the law of New York, as it is explained by
the Albany Argus in the following paragraph:
"The law of this State regulating the mode of
appon,m5us d" DATED Senator'S presorioes easc
the two branches of the Legislature shall act by
themselves, as in the enactment Of lsws-each
House making its own nomination, without refer
ence TO the action OF the Other. IN the event of
nomination being made by both Houses, by a ma
jority Of members present in each, land in that
event only) the two branches meet in the same
chamber to compare their respective nominations
If the nominations are found to agree in the name
of the same person, he is elected without further
proceedings, and the official announcement en-
tered the journals constitutes the credentials of
the Senator elect If the nominations of the two
Houses shall be found to disagree, the joint con-
vention determine the matter by ballot--a major
ity Of all the votes cast being necessary to a
choicen
In the Senate Fish received Hxteen Wing
votes. Mr.. Beekmsn, Wing member from New
York city, threw away his vote, and thus defeated
an election. The Democratic members, fifteen in
number, scattered their votes but had they all
voted for Dix, it would have availed nothing, IN
less some Wings had united with them They
might have done this for the purpose Of having
the names 60 before the Joint Convention, which
would in all probability have elected Fish. But
it would seem that the radical Democrats were
not sufficiently assured of the fidelity of Mr.. Fish
on the slavery question. Mr.. Varnum, Silver
Gray, took occasion to announce that he had con-
versed with Mr.. Fish, and that he was cordial
supporter of the Administration and its policy in
relation to the Compromise measures. Had the
Democratic members of the Senate, in the face of
this statement, done anything to send his name
before Joint Convention, they would have been
assuming very heavy responsibility. We do
not pretend to say whether MIR. Varnum spoke
by authority or not We know nothing of the
views and purposes Of MIR. Fish. Those who
know him best vouch for his fidelity to the cause
of freedom. Why should he not distinctly avow
his opinions concerning the late adjustment meas
ures of Congress If he do not regard them ia
vorably if he be opposed to the Fugitive Act, let
him say so, and then members of all parties can
act intelligently.
AS it is, Hunkerism has nothing to gain by
what has taken place. People will place the re-
sponsibility of defeating the election of Senator
upon Administration influence operating through
an Administration Wing
Mr.. Seward and his friends have done what
they could to secure representative for the State
in the Senate of the United States, selecting for
their candidate fair representative of the average
sentiment of the State on the Slavery Question.
They can afford to 60 to the People on the issue
raised by the Administration. Of the verdict
there can be no doubt. Hunkerism has set an ex-
ample of coalition, which will be followed all over
the State at the next election the liberal men of
all parties in the several districts, uniting wher-
ever it may become necessary to secure the return
of members opposed to slavery.