The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-01
Doubtful and Contested sents.

The opening of the Forty-second Congress
will present the novelty of contested seats.
In the case of Georgia, contest was pending
for some weeks after the restoration of the
State, between Messrs. Hill and Miller, who
were elected in 1868, and Messrs. Whitley and
Farrow, who were elected in 1870. This was
finally decided in favor of the former, Dr. Miller
not being admitted to his seat at the same time
with Mr.. Hill only because he was laboring
under political disabilities which had
not been removed. But at the same time that
Whitley and Farrow were elected Foster
Blodgett was also elected for the term which
begins with the Forty-second Congress. The
Senate may choose to give him the seat, or it
may decide his election illegal, and require the
Legislature to go through the ceremony of cleo
tion again. In this latter contingency the va
cancy indicated above will be filled by Demo-
crat instead of Republican, as will be the
case If Bodgett gets the seat
1t is claimed that Governor John W. Steven
son. who has been elected to q seat from Ken
tucky is ineligible because of political disabili-
ties, and 1t is probable that opposition will be
made to his admission.
Until Zebulon B. Vance, Senator elect from
North Carolina, has had his disabilities re-
moved, he is ineligible; and the present incum-
bent of the seat, General Joseph G. Abbott has
his claim on the ground that the votes cast in
the Legislature for Vance were absolutely void
and that he (Abbett), having received the next
highest number of votes and a ma ajority of all
those alleged to be legal was regularly elected
as his own successor. The Senate may refuse
to receive Vance, but it is very doubtful if it
gives the seat to Abbott
Texas likewise gives signs of a contested seat.
Morgan G. Hamilton, the present Senator was
elected for the full term commencing with
March 4, 1871 as well as to fill the uuexpired
term ending with that date. But his opponents
few weeks ago discovered that his election for
the full term was illegal, and General Joseph j.
Reynolds has been elected his successor, evil
IDENTIFY in direct opposition to the letter and
spirit of the law regulating the election of
Senators. Senator Hamilton will doubtless sue
ceed in maintaining his right to the seat.
It is also understood that an effort will be
made to secure the reference of the credentials
of Governor Clayton of Arkansas, when the
session opens, on the ground that the body
which elected him was not legally constituted
Legislature, it being insisted that the Speaker
of the lower house was never formally elected
to the position but was the mere nominee of a
caucus which met before the proper time for
the assembling of the Legislature.
Governor Alcorn, of Mississippi who was
elected to succeed Hiram R. Reves year ago,
is reported to have announced his determination
to decline the SenatSrship, and If he persists in
so doing another election will be necessary in
which event it is supposed that Revels will be
retained in his seat.
The Changes to Tsko Place.
An unusual number of changes take place In
the Senate, at the opening of the Forty-second
Congress, nineteen Senators, including John w.
Johnston, Democrat, of Virginia, whose sue
cessor has not yet been elected, ceasing to be
members. Only six Senators whose terms are
about to expire have been reelected, these being
Lot w. Morrill,, of Maine Henry Wilson, of
Massachusetts; Aaron II, Cragin, of New Hamp-
shire; Henry B. Anthony, of Rhode Island;
Thomas j. Robertson, of South Carolina; and
Morgan c. Hamilton of Texas, all Republicans.
The Republican Senators, fifteen in number,
whose terms expire are the following
Willard Warner, of Alabama, who has been
in the Senate since July 25 1868, the date of
the restoration of the State to representation in
Congress. ....
Alexander Mcdonald, of Arkansas, who has
served since June %, 1868.
Richard Yates, of Illinois. who has served one
term only. #
James B. Howell, of Iowa, who has served
since January 26. 1870, filling the remainder of
the term for which the Hon. James w. Grimes
was elected.
Edmund G. Ross, of Kansas, who has served
since July 25 1866, filling the unexpired term of
the late James H. Lane.
John s. Harris, of Louisiana, who has served
since the restoration of the State July II, 1868.
Jacob M. Howard, OF Michigan, who has served
since January II, 1869.
o. P. Stearns, of Minnesota, who has served a
few weeks only, to fill an unexpired term.
Hiram r. Revels, of Mississippi, colored, who
has served since the restoration of the State,
February 25, 1870
John NJ. Thayer, of Nebraska, who has served
since the admission of the State, March 4, 1867.
Alexander G.. Cattell, of New Jersey, who has
served since December 3, 1866 filling the unex-
pired term for which John p Stockton was first
elected, but who was ousted from his seat on
account of irregularities in his election.
Joseph 9. Abbott, of North Carolina, who has
served since the restoration of the State, in
July, 1868.
George H. Williams, of Oregon, who has
served full term.
Joseph 8. Fowler, of Tennessee, who has
served since the restoration of the State, July
25, 1886.
Wsitman T. Wiley, of West Virginia. who
has served since the admission of the State, in
1868.
The four Democratic Senators whose terms
are about to expire are the following-
Willard Salisbury, of Delaware, who has
served since 1859 and Is succeeded by his bro
ther, Eli Salisbury.
Homer " M. Miller, who was elected in 1868
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