The Portland daily press., 1870-07-14
Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON, d. c., July 10, 1870.
THE COMING ELECTIONS

SOSAAANo
As the session draws near its close, specula-
tion becomes rife as 20 election probabilities.
Members of Congress, on both sides, are anx-
ious and excited. The Democrats are more
than fearful, not of a majority of course, but of
winning number Of seats now occupied by
Republicans.
The House as at present constituted, con-
sists of 243 representatives, thirteen vacancies,
being seven from Georgia, three from Louisia
Da, ard two from North Carolina, making ia
all 256 representatives and nine delegates. Of
the 2l3 votes, 50 of them are Democratic, three
are independent unonists, Hawkins of Ten
nessee, Rogers of Ark, and Dockery, n. c.,
thus leaving 1S1 Republican votes, or a major
ity of lis. OF course there has not been full
vote Oh any one occasion, but on distinctively
party issues-of which there have been need
OF but few this session past,-the majorities
have rarged so to 70. On matters of finance,
tariff and taxation, party lines have been on
minor issues almost oblterated, though when
debate has closed, the Democracy were usu-
ally found recorded solidly against majority
OF the Republican party. If any one cared for
the result sufficiently to undertake the labor,
analysis of the votes taken would show a GU
rious riding of all sides of the question Except
OF course where distinct party diversencies and
policies were visible,) through Democratic
anxiety to make points and aid what they
fondly believe to be fatal dissensions in the
majoritys ranks. Another piece OF tactics
that has been known and laughed of all
reportorial men at least-is the evident court
paid to few Republicans whom the quid
nuncs popularly, but perhaps most unjustly,
suspect of leaning towards ancient gods or
new creeds. Logan is prime favorite with
them; shall say it is because he pursues
course which tends to destroy the harmo-
ny Of the Republican party in Congress
Farnsworth Is encouraged, and Allison may
be seen among them. Butler appears as fire.
quently, or more so, on the Democratic side
and holding sweet converse" with Cox, El-
bridge, Wood, Slocum, and those who sit near
them, than he is on his own side or among
party associates. 1t is very evident that DEM
ocrats imagine their fatal dissentions in our
ranks through which they expect to make
marked success.
HOW THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS ARE
DIAGNosIsED.
There has been a good deal of quiet can
vassing and the result may be summed up
briefly. 1t is thought that an apportionment
bill Of some kind will be acted upon before
adjournment. If so the next House will num-
Der 275 members. The additional nineteen
members, as no State is to lose any represen-
tation in the next Congress. will give about
one member additional each for the Cotton
and Gulf States, on account of the addition
made by fully estimating the colorei people
The Western States, Illinois, Indiana, Mlssou-
ri, Kansas, Nebraska, California. (Oregon pos
sibly,) and those in the Northwest, we ASH
ington, Wisconsin and Minnesota,-will get
an additional representative. In each of these
cases, with perhaps the exception of Missouri,
and two or three Southern States, the addi-
tional representative will be Republican
DEMOCRATIC POINTS OF ATTACK.
The Democrats expect at least member
ship OF one hundred in the next House.
If they get it we should still have clear ma
lority of IS, if the numbers are enlarged.
Allowing for the election of about fifteen
members independent, labor, or anti-land-