Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-02-12
The louisiana Senatorial Election,

Benjamin, whose term expires on the 4th
Of March, 1859. That gentleman was
candidate forre-elcction, ,buthe had strong
and determined opposition, headed by
Pierre Soule, which nearly divided theyotcs
ofthc DE locratic party There was third
party in vhe field to contest the honors.--
The aid of caucus was finally called in to
settle the differences and select candid
ate binding the party, but after two days
of earnest effort, found its lubors inelIect,l-
al. Each faction steadily and doggedly
adhered to its candidate, and as no one quite
commanded majority, of course no choice
could be effected. But the constitution of
the State required the Legislature to pro.
coed to the election on the 24th instant,
and tho important duty could not be defer
red to enable the caucus to agree. Over
fifty ballots had been taken, and still no
election. At length the struggle came to
an end, and Mr.. Beniamin was finally elcc-
ted by majority of only two votes. His
chief opponent i'll caucus one time came
within one vote of getting the nomination,
so that Nlr. Benjamin succeeded only aftera
desperate and doubtful battle.
Thecorrcspondent of the Picayune, wri-
ting from Baton Rouge on the Gath, thus
describes the finale of the struegle:
/" The last ballot taken this afternoon crc-
ated very great excitement, which is even
now raging. There were seventy members
in caucus, and Mr.. Sandidge received thir-
ty-five votes. One vote more would have
effected denomination. Upon theanouuce-
ment of the result cries were made by the
friends of Mr.. Gray, " Let us %" q" adj
journ," sc. The caucus then took re-
cess until 6 o'clock this evening. In the
meantime the utmost excitement existed,
.aapd the friends Of Mr. GRAY eEywhere
complained that the conferences which IlKss ne
been held between the Benjamin and San
didge supporters eyinced disposition to
ignore Mr.. Greys claims, and by exclu-
ding his &C. 50 friends from those confer
ences, todefcat him at any hazard, and they
therefore proclaimed their determination
not to go back into caucus. The long and
weary fight, which had grown monotonous
and tedious, thus assumed new aspect,
and suddenly wore a lively and dashing APP
pcarance. Ats o'clock the caucus reas-
sembled, and it was found titat but two of
Mr.. Gray's friends were present A very
exciting scene then occurred in the House.
"Thehour of adjournment having passed
Dlr. Pierce, OF East Baton Rouge, took the
chair and called the House to order The
clerk refused TO call the roll unless by the
order of the Speaker, and in the midst of
a debate as to the proper course to be pur-
sued, it was announced that the caucus had
nominated Mr. Benjamin, and Speaker
Pugh entering the hall, took his seat, and
the business was entered upon regularly
During the little episode above alluded to,
tho hall and lobby were denscly crowded,
and everybody present seemed excited be-
yond fever heat. Anxious outsiders ran to
andfrc as though they thought some great
outbreak of the people was at hand, end
visions of the overthrow of the republic
seemed to fit before the eyes of timid gen
.tleman,
/" At o'clock, the Senate entered the
hall of the House of Representatives. Mr.
Philips nominated Mr.. Benjamin; Mr.
Defreesc nominated Mr.. Gray and the
vote stood as follows: Benjamin, 81 !;
Gray Gray, SO RIassaall Hunt, s
Thus ended themost exciting contest
for Senator ever held in Louisiana"
---+--s-S -s--.----
MARRIAGE ny Proxy. Rev. DIR. Gre
CORY pronounced at DeVeaux College,
Suspension Bridge, New York, the marri-
ageic ceremony between parties who were
not, at the time, within 5000 miles of each
other it was done by proxy, the lady's
fsther acting MS proxy for the bridegroom.
The affair took place on the opening of the
new year, under the following circumstan,
stances The bride, for seven years, a res
ident of California, after the death of a
former husband, becaineengaged to gen
tleman residing in that State, and having a
large landed property in Mexico. BY some
arrangement between the two parties, the
lady returned toher paternal home, at st.
Catharines, canada West, where her in
tended was. to meet her, about this time,
and claim her as his bride. The recent
troubles in Mexico, however, being iu the
vicinity Of his plantations, demanded his
immediate presence in that country, and
forbade his coming north to fulfil his en-
gagement, lie therefore frankly wrote
her of the circumstances which detained
him, and enclosed a regulNay executed
power Of attorney which authorized the
lady's father to stand instead of the BRIDE
gr1eDf, and, lor him, to enter into natri-
mopial VOWS. The papers being executed
inithe Uuited States, Il was Thought neccs-
sary to have the ccram9ny performed on
this side OF tlIo Niagara, and father and.
daughter came over 20 the De Yeaux Col.
lego, and thc la,tg became the legal wife,
Of her Galifornia lord She viii sail for
her Pacific home about the 6tlsof Fei5ru.
tIly and there .ioin her proxy hnsLnnd. Or