The Portland daily press., 1863-01-21
Wednesday Morning, January 81, 1863.
Correspondence of the Press
Letter from the National Capital.


The curious and startling demonstration at
the recent election Of U. s. Senator in
Pennsylvania. Paper from corn husks, dc.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. 10, 1858.
A demonstration most significant was lately
made In the Capitol at Harrisburg. The oc-
casion was the election OF United States Sem
ator from Pennsylvania for six years commen-
cling on thefourth of March next, when Mr.. VIII
mots term expires. l say Mr.. Wilmots term,
but it is in fact the term for which Mr. Came
ron was elected; Mr.. Cameron, it will be re-
menbered, resigned the Senatorship to take
the place of Secretary of War; Mr.. Wimot
was elected for the balance of the term.
Charles X. Buckalew, Democrat, one day this
week, was elected Senator In joint convention
of the two houses, by a majority Of one vote.
In the House, the Democrats had majority
In the Senate, the majority was Republican.
There was on joint ballot a Democratic ma
jority Of one. Mr.. Buckalew received precise
ly the vote of his party, not one more nor less
Mr.. Cameron was the candidate against Mr..
Buckalew. 1t had been studiously announced
that Mr.. Wilmot would be the candidate; but
no one, who was Interested In the matter, was
deceived by this announcement. 1t was known
early In the canvass that the roting would be
for Mr.. Cameron. II is stated that the Re-
publicans in the Senate would have refused
TO 60 in joint convention, had it not been un-
derstood that one Democratic uote could be
had for Mr.. Cameron. 1t will be seen by what
means this expectation was defeated.
For full understanding of this remarkable
case 1t is pertinent to refer to a portion of
Pennsylvania history connected with the cleo
OF U. s. Senator six years ago. When Mr..
Forney, now Republican Secretary Of the Sem
ate, was the Democratic candidate, Mr.. Cam
eron was the Republican candidate. Then, as
now, the Democrats had majority. But Mr..
Cameron was elected. 1t was asserted, that
three Democratic members sold their votes to
him, and thus gave him his election. The
names OF these men are well known in Penn
sylvania, and held in execration as severe as
the political morals of that State will permit.
Mr.. Cameron's great wealth, and the modes of
public affairs of which he had been follower
lent probability to the charges of corruption,
in reference TO this election, which were freely
made at the time. Col. Forney, the disap-
pointed candidate, then, as now, owning a
newspaper, published, day after day, bitter and
well supported statements of the frauds that
had been practised at his expense. In the con-
duct of his paper on this issue, he gave abun-
dant promise, that if he had been deprived
OF place In the Senate, the seat of his for
tunate rival should by no means be peaceful
one. But Mr.. Cameron found means to agree
with his adversary while he was In the way
with him. He promptly made peace, and so
nrm and lasting was the treaty, and in such
good faith was it kept by Mr.. Cameron, that
Il the opening of the present Congress, when
it became apparent that Mr.. Forney would be
rejected as Clerk by the House OF Representa-
tives, lac was elected Secretary of the Senate
by the influence of Mr.. Cameron.
The allusion to the election six years ago is
necessary, in order to throw clear light on
the singular proceedings connected with the
election, a few days ago, OF Mr.. Buckaew, for
the better understanding of which have pre-
missed the preceding. All the incidents con-
nected with the choice of Mr.. Cameron were
reproduced In the Harrisburg papers. in the
two weeks past, with copo1s extracts from
Mr.. Forney,s paper Of six wears ago, wberein
the bribery and corruption which effected The
ousIy denounced.
Fcr a dav or two nrav;o,s to tho recan, ro,-
inc At Harr;shurc The trains fror ph;,.deI-
ohia arrived AZ the caniai loaaed with ..rnmchs,,
and aruffians M fhey were called Thay ,llad
the town Of Harrisburg and n,sSis ,i,a;r vlioas
heard therein They We're NOT hacsw.rd 70
exhih;t Knives nistois and n,bsr ,srs,,as;vo W
arms On the dsv ~ election ,hera ,,are.
nos,ad cons sric,o,,s,v n ,t,e a,.a. Sai;,a ~
seats Of ,hs cha,ohay i, .,,.;ot r. .n,;n .ne
10 ,aLa ,'isoa ia.s -, .ne souns was
ie,sars r. ~ s, ~nnoa "ele P.ln'su , ~ Iarge
the order in wI.;oh ,hs u .l .ue Legsla.ule Ia
called This area was .a' e,,od o. & wouiu oe