Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-12-12
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP,


timore Suns correspondent has published two
or three articles on the subject. His last in
yesterday, Sun, is as follows:
"Quite erroneous telegraphic rumors have
oesn sent from Washington to the associated
press, in regard to the Senatorial caucus which
nominated Gov. Brighton the Woe Presidency.
Ihe caucus was altogether harmonious. There
was no division over the 1ame of Mr.. Bright,
ne got every vote, ard there was no other feel.
ing but thai of qualification at the result
3oV' lights peculiar qualification, his ac-
%-lowledged political integrity and his per-
made his party unit on his name
"Nei Their will Mr.. Atchison, should he arrive
during the session, claim the presidential chair,
to which Mr.. Bright has been elevated. The
personal relations between him and MI Bright
are OF the most Intimate character, and he has
no doubt been gratifed with what has taken
place. The Senate can elect presiding officer,
but 1t cannot limit the term Of his Office; that
is fixed by the constitution
By way of setting the matter at rest, We
have to say that the first paragraph of the
above is correct to the letter Mr.. Bright was
the unanimous choice of the caucus-no other
gentlemaa's name in connection with the posi-
ton being mentioned in the caucus except that
of Gen. Atchison Yet this correspondent is
clearly in error in failing to say that it was
stated on Mr.. Bright's behalf, and clearly un-
derstood in the caucus before it was determ-
ined to 60 into an election, that Mr.. B. in
tended to resign the position in case Gen. At
Gibson, on his return, should desire again to
occupy the chair.
The difficulty in the caucus was By no means
with reference to the selection of a successor
to Gen. Atchison-that is, as to who that sue.
cessor should be-Mr. Bright being the unani-
nous choice of all present. There was, how
ever serious question as to the propriety Of
making any election. This was the point dis
cussed for more than an hour. There was a
strong indisposition manifested to elect any
one to Gen. Atchison's place until his formal
resignation should have been received It was
finally obviated, according to the general un-
Outstanding in Washington, by gentleman
present, who is said to have stated, on behalf
of Mr.. Bright, that in case Gen Atchison, on
his return, should express q desire to resume
the duties of the chair, Mr. B. would promptly
resign them in his favor. No ILL feeling what
ever was manifested more especially towards
Mr.. Bright, as has been alleged He was, as
before remarked, the unanimous choice of the
Democrats; and having obviated all the diff
Guilty by the voluntary offer through friend,
above alluded to, he was of course cheerfully
voted for by the whole party in the Senate
Such is our understanding Of the proceedings
on the occasion.
The Hormons Bgain.-Ths New York Com
meretai Advert,ssr devotes nearly a column
of misplaced but courteous criticism to q re-
cent article of ours in relation to the Mormons
The editor OF that journal would seem to coin
eide with us as far as he understands us, and
only controverts what he wholly misconceived.
If he will reperuse the article, he will perceive
that We stated without the slightest ambiguity
what we conceived to be the duty of the Gov
eminent, viz: To build up rival party among
the Mormons themselves-to the polygamists-
not by appointing ga Governor and other
Federal officers entirely alien in sentiment
from the people to be governed" but by the
appointment Of Mormons who are not polyga-
mists. Could language be more explicit {?
Or could two propositions be moro consistent
with each other? The editor of the Aduertis ser,
who displays candor and proper feeling on
the subject, has evidently given our article a
very hasty perusal We expressed the opin-
ion that it would not work we'll to appoint
anti-Mormons and that, therefore, Mormons
opposed to polygamy should be selected.
We must disclaim the honor attributed to
US of speaking in hehalf of the Administration.
That distinction is properly accorded to
another Washington journal, and it would be
invidious in us to assume the prerogative.
While On this subject we will call attention
to the fact, that according to the census there
Is large preponderancs of males over fe
males in Utah-a circumstance which renders
1t physically impossible that every man can
have wife. 1t Is obvious that this evil will
be aggregated by polygamy, and place it be-.
yond the power Of large portion of the men
to form connections which are alike essential
to happiness and virtue
According to the census Of 1850, there were
IL $3.50 Inhabitants Of Utah, of whom 6,O46
wsre males, and 1884 were females. But the
children born Of the Mormons are probably
equally divided between males and females,
SO that the proportion of adult males to females
is still greater than the above We accord
ingly find that there are 1890 men, and only
1921 women-so that without polygamy, there
would be o75 men without helpmates Now
If the wealthy saints are permitted to monopo.
lie their tens, twenties, and ffties, it is svi.
dent that the inconvenience which are inci.
dent to all new communities Of disproportion
Of tho sexes will be greatly aggravated.
The editor Of the advertiser thinks tho
term " wife-monopolists' in bad taste; but
nevertheless it is descriptive of most odious
and grsvious monopoly-and though the idea
may smack of the ludicrous, we hold that
polygamy, OF the monopoly of wives, Is as in