The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-02-03

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
AUGUSTA, JAN. %, 1854

hUGuoiAI JAN. 80, Aoof.
The Opinion of the Supreme Court upon
the questions propounded by the House,
which was read yesterday, has been over.
hauled somewhat to-day. Although il sus.
,ains The action of the House, and declares
il 10 be the duty Of the Senators 10 send
down all the vacancies, thus deciding the
question at issue in favor Of The House,
still il has some curious features. Setting
aside, as iidoes, the opinion given by Judge
Mellen in 1880, as 10 the powers Of Sena-
Tors when less than constitutional quorum
was elected, it would be natural 10 suppose
tina, some allusion would have been made
10 that decision and the reasons given for
overriding il, stated, II is usual when de.
cisions Of Courts are overruled 10 give the
reasons therefor. Not word is said in the
opinion aboat the opinion Of Judge Mellen,
given at the time indicated. The Age
says this morning cha, it bears The marks
Of compromise" and gives it other hard
knocks, although il says, also, iha, j, Is on
the whole satisfactory 10 the Democracy.
We suppose this declaration 10 be upon the
principle Of "smallest favors gratefully
received The decision sus,ains the House
in refusing 10 go into convention until all
the vacancies were reported, but runs -
gains, the opinions given by some Of the
speakers, as 10 the powers given 10 the
Senators elect when less than a majority
are elected. II tells tho Senators they mus,
tread back, but 10 break The force Of their
fall i, says that they have little more
power than some OF the members OF the
House admitted they had. The opinion
without being exactly liked by any party,
still in one sense, pleases all. The wings
are pleased because it puts the Senators in
the wrong, and makes them responsible
for the delay in the organization, and the
Democrats are pleased because il hits some
Of the opinions advanced by the wing
speakers on constitutional law rather hard,
aud gives the "mulsh Senators /" little
something with which 10 cover their retreat.
The opinion will hardly receive much con-
sideraiion or be received as great authority
among good constitutional lawyers here
aner.
There was nothing done yesterday in
either branch but the reading Of ll,e opinion.
All The House can now do is 10 sci still
and avail, The action Of the Senate. When
the vacancies are sen, down, the conven.
lion for filling them will be held forthwith,
bu, il remains 10 be seen whether this
Z" lick back" given them by The Court,
will have the effect 10 soften he obs,inacy
Of the Senators. II is pretty certain 10 force
them 10 some action which will sooner or
later bring about an organization. 1t is
said here that the Senators who have dis.
,inguished themselves, will make per.
manent permanent so long as it lasls) or.
saniza,ion OF The Senate before reporting
the vacancies. The aliemp, would be
desperate, and SO far rs continuance is con-
cemed, barren one, yet j, is quite probable
the farce Of seven men" making officers
for 81, will be acted out. Should This
be done, the officers so elected would pro-
badly be provided with tickets 10 leave
their seats al a convenien, opportunity, very
soon aier the vacancies were filled. II is
said here lha, Senator Moore is ambitious
of being President, even though he may
continue SO only two or three days. Mex,
week promises 10 be stirring one. The
outside force is returning, filling up The
iaverns and boarding houses, and the pre-.
paration Of vigorous campai sn is going
on with great rapidi,y. l.. o. c.
Since the above was written, learn ,ha,
the Senate Committee on Elections have
been set in motion BY the decision Of the
Court. They resumed their labors this AZ.
ternoon which have been suspended over
three weeks, and have agreed 10 report all
,hel vacancies on Monday, and propose
holding joint Convention on Tuesday 10
fill them. I, is surprising how quick and
nimble they have become in figures under
the spur OF the decision Of the Court. A
new organization OF the Senate is agreed
on provided iha, the difficulties between The
rival candidates can be arranged between
now and Friday. The wings will allow
the seven all the glory ofsuch movement,
and will not vote when the attempt, is
made. LOG.