Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-03-23
REpuB11CAN SENATORS.

The defeat Of the Nicaragua treaty by tho
Republican Senators. and the same probable
fate impending over the Mexican treaty, re-
minds us of the steady growth Of the Repub-
lican power in that branch of the government.
When the Kansas-Nebraska bill was before
the Senate in 1854, those who resisted its
passage to the third reading (the democrats
refused TO have the yeas and nays called on
the final PASSAGE numbered but thirteen but
now the Republican Senators have the con-
stitutional power to reject treaties, and the
practical power to control the greater part Of
the legislation where party lines are not strict
ly drawn. Much of their influence is due to
their high character and legislative ability as
a body OF men, but their steady numerical in
crease, TIL they now constitute more than a
third OF the Senate, is a fact immensely impor-
tant in its practical bearings. The present
Senate consists of GO members, with one va
cancy The Republican strength is 25, and
the Democratic 3S, two old Wings supplying
the remainder. Let us see when a Republic
can Senate can be reasonably counted on.
At the next Congress Gov. Chase of Ohio,
takes the place of Mr.. Pugh thus giving the
Republicans DC votes. Mr.. Crittendon of KY,
yields to Mr.. Breckenridge, and VIC may as
well call Mr.. Kennedy Of Maryland, a Demo-
crat, thus raising their total strength to 40.
Indiana will probably choose a Republican in
place Of the bogus Senator, DR.. Fitch, and
Pennsylvania is exceedingly likely to treat Mr.
Bigler in the same way. Oregon will choose
two Senators--one to fill the vacancy now ox-
listing there, and the other to succeed Gen.
Lane. There is every reason to believe that
one at least of the new Senators will be Re-
publican. BY that time Kansas is sure to be
admitted, with two republican Senator'S In
1861, then, we may safely calculate that the
Senate will consist of 6S members, OF whom
81 will be stauneh Republicans A discreet
Republican administration, backed by a grand
popular majority, and good working support
in the House of Representatives, would prob
ably have no difficulty in getting along very
well with a Senate of that stamp.
But in S63 the position of affairs would be
probably still more favorable In that year
the other bogus Indiana Senator. Mr.. Bright,
will be likely to give place to a Republican
while the people Of Minnesota and New Jer-
sey will then avail themselves of the first OPP
portunty to complete the Republican charac-
ter of their Senatorial delegations. BY that
time the probable admission Of Nebraska, un-
der a Republican organization, while raising
the Senate to 10, would supply just Repub-
lican majority, viz: thirty-six. 1t will be
seen that we calculate upon the delegation oil
California remaining Democratic, although
two elections before 1863 may afford some
hopes Of a change. We have estimated but
one Republican Senator from Oregon, where
as there are chances of something better
Besides, it is not wholly improbable that ono
Southern Opposition member may supply the
place of Democratic Senator in each of the
States of Maryland, Missouri and Tennessee.
As for retrogression in the Rpublican States,
whatever may appear in the future, there is
now certainly no sign OF such thing. On
the whole then, if, to use Mr.. Stewards lau-
guage, we were to "come forward among the
political astrologers of tho day" we should
say, "look out for a Republican United States
Senate about the year 1868. "-Boston Jour.