The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-11-17
The FOrtY-First Congress.

The Forty-First Congress
Though Gen. Grant is to be the President OF
the United States after March T. 1869 he will
not have such an overwhelming Radical majority
in the next House Of Representatives as has cursed
the nation for the last four years The Fortieth
Congress, including the Southern carpet-baggers,
was thus politically divided:
Radicals 1OZ
Democrats oz
Radical majority 10
IWO-thirds az
According to the latest returns at hand the
political complexion Of the next House Of Rep
resentatives will be as follows:
Radicals 1873
Democrats II
Radical majority Ct
Two-thirds = IA
In this calculation it is assumed that the Radi-
Gals will elect three Congressman in New IIamp-
shire next March, and two ofthe four to be chosen
in Connecticut in April though in the latter
State they may not secure but one. as was the
case at the Congressional election Of 1867.
Thus, it will be seen that the Radicals will net
have two-thirds vote in the Forty-frst as they
have in the present. Congress. Not only will
the Democrats have an effective working minori-
ty. but among them will be men who will make
their mark on the floor. Their influence is sure
to be felt. Among those who arc likely to be
especially prominent are s S. Cox. and James
Brooks Of this city-thc former the most eff
cient paramcntarian who has been in the House
during the last ten years with the possible ex-
ception of Alexander II: Stephens and the late
Thaddeus Stevcns,) and the latter very useful
member by reason of his abilities as a speaker
lIct;o G.,
S. s. Marshal, of Illinois. and Michael C. Kerr,
of Indiana, both singularly efficient men in any
deliberative body, and dcubly SO in the House
because of their long experience in the Capitol;
Daniel w. Voorhees,, of Indiana a ready speaker
and debater, and more than match in debate
for any opponent whom he is likely to meet at
Washington; Judge Woodward end Henry D.
Foster, of Pennsylvania, beth men of more than
ordinary ability; and Joseph II. Smith of Oregon
of whom report speaks in very laudatory terms
In all these gentlemen. and others who might be
mentioned, the Radicals in the House will find
foemen worthy Of their steel, and we more than
suspect, advcrsarics with whom they will be re-
luctant to cross swords.
The Radicals have re elected number oftheir
brightest lights at the head of which is Renia
min +. Butler, OF Massachusetts, by all odds the
sharpest man in debate on their side ofthe House
Among their other champions who have been |
reelected are Robert C. Schenck, John A. Bing-
ham, George s. Boutwell, James G.. Blaine, |
William D. Kelley. f, b. Washburnc, John A. |
Logan. and James y. Garfield all men who have |
attained prominence in the present Congress by
reason OF the poor stuff of which the Radical por-
tlon of 1t is composed The Radicals however
will miss the counscIs Of Thaddcus Stevens and |
James NJ. Ashley, fwhom the former has gone
to his last account and the latter to settle certain
accounts the mere mention Of which never re-
fccted much credit upon him.
The country will be the gamer by the increase
Of Democratic Representatives and Democratic
brains in the next Congress. Ihc experience of
the last two Congresses asshown how disastrous
a thing it is for enc party to have an ovcrwhel-
ming majority i'll the national legislature; and
though the Democrats in the Forty first Congress
will be too few to check all Radical legislation.
they will still be strong enough in numbers and
brains to prevent a repetition Of much of the i'll
advised and hasty action which has we'll nigh
made the mere name Of Congress hy-word and
a reproach in the opinion Of all honest mcn-N
J. Erpress