The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-04
HARRTsnURG.

THE OPENING OF THE EGIsLATURE--PHI1ADEI-
PHIA IGNORED IN THE sENATE-THE FIRST
SENATORIAL DISTRICT ELECTIoN--DIsAFFEc-
T1oN IN THE DEMOCRATIC RANKs-THE STATE
TBEAsURER QUEsTIoN-MACKEY TO BE NO.
MINATED - THE SELECTION OF THE COM
MITTEES.
From Our O,0n Correspondent
HARRISBURG, JAN 3, 1s1l.--The Legislature Is at
last organized, but it was not accomplished without
some excitement in 9TH the Senate and the House.
While Philadelphia is better and more largely repre-
sented In the selection of the officers of the House
than last year, she has been ignored almost COM
pletely In the Senate. The Senators outside OF Phi
ladelpha seem to have forgotten that had 1t not
been for the Democratic workers in the First
Senatorial district they would now be in minority
indeed, every one who has been here within the
past several hours listening to the revelations of the
Fourth ward crowd has become convinced that the
election in that district was by no means fair one
and that had they not so prominently interested
themselves in behalf of Colonel DeChert he would
have been left at nome by a large plurality vote.
That is the sentiment particularly of those who
reside in Philadelphia and know the ability of the
Alderman and his satellites for conducting eleCtlon1.
These men concluded that, as they mad contributed
so materially in placing the Democratic party in
power in one branch of the Legislature and thus
giving them control of one-haf Of the expenditures
OF the State, they should have whatever positions
they desired. They demanded not much but In so
doing they came in conflict with Senator Randall, OF
advance to travel to the residence OF every country
Senator and secure his support for his man. The
Philadelphans solicited the Ssgeant-at-Arms and
namtd as their man John Ahern, who is
well known in the City OF Brotherly Love.
They demanded this position, although the
a salary is precisely the same as all the
employ es on the Hill, and would be satisfied with
nothing else. Senator Randall would not yield an
inch, ana he held his fellow Senators to their
pledges. The consequence that at the caucus
A,nr,,
loud were the threats made by his adherents. They
asserted that they would take Colonel Dechert back
home and thus prevent the Senate organizing, unless
their wish was acceded to. Wiser counsels pre-
vailed, however, and the Colonel was accordingly in
his seat and voted throughout with his political col.
leagues. The Philadelphia party left this evening
for home, after having caused more CONSERVATION
in the Capitol than has been witnessed since the
raid which was made two years ago on a Lancaster
Senator. Senator Petriken certainly has just cause
to remember this early visit of the men who rule
the Democratic party OF Philadelphia
The state rreasurer Question,
Now that the organization of both houses has
been effected, the greatest interest will be attached
to the question of the election of State Treasurer.
The question is agltating both parties, and the inge
nuity of the Democrats will be particularly taxed to
maintain beligerent feeling between the friends
Of Messrs MaGkey and Taggart, the Competing Ee-
publican candidates, hoping by this means to have
their candidate step in ana obtain the cheese.
The 1eeung created Oy Jnc DOIG from VI lCKcy
nomination last year is rapidly being allayed, and
there is good prospect OF the
caucus nominee receiving the unanimous vote
OF the Republicans. 1t is now positively
asserted that every member of that party
has expressed his determination TO adhere to the
4. decision OF the caucus, and one OF those who
active in promoting the detection last winter las
said that he has no reason to be proud of his vote
that occasion, and will not permit himself to be
placed in the same fix again powerful and per-
haps bitter opposition to Mr.. MaCkey is plainly
visible among others than those in the Legislature
and these people will, no doubt, again endeavor to
secure a bolt. The same men prominent In Re-
publican ranks are present In Harrisburg as they
were last January and they are endeaVoring to use
heir utmost cndeavors to prevent his
nomination. But, from present appearances, that
seems impossible, for large majority Of the men,
bers are iu his favor This light Is entirely personal
and is legitimate outgrOwth OF the petty chickering's
which possess the factions which unfortunately
divide the Republican patty. Among the better
members there is disposition to quiet these dis
turbDg clements, at least as far the State Trca-
surer is concerned. The proposed Constitutional
Convention will undoubtedly take this matter up
and provide for the choice OF that olcer by direct
popular VOTE and thus remove the entire subject
from the halls OF legislation This is only efec-
tual remedy for the exhibitions of shameful venaltv
that annually attend the opening OF the session.
Ehe Selection of Committees.
Although thoroughly organized, neither house
Will De dblC 10 commence business until uoNl
week, when the committees will be announced. II
is thought that an adjournment until Tuesday next
will take place tomorrow, at least an effort to that
effect will be made, in order to allow the Speakers
plenty OF time for the purpose Of naming the various
standing committees This subject of committee
making has excited little no iaterest whatever
and there has not been any selections for the chair
manship Ofany Of these bodies. IL seems to he con
Ceded that the members will be distributed
that there can be no forming of rings for corrupt
I purposes; at least no one set OF men will be per
N mitted to obtain possession Of any one committee
for personal aggrandizement. The new Speaker
while on the moor, was always recognized as one o
the staunChest reformers and was always unwilling
to lend himself in any way TO promote the numerou
i questionable schemes that were continually beini
strven for by designing combinations He ha
promised no appointments, ana in but one or tw
D Instances tas he been collected by members 10
position. There is scarcely any doubt that he vii
give entire satisfaction to all parties concerned. Th
same may be said OF Speaker Wallace OF the Senate
Smallpox is raging in Oregon. The paper
speak of one family of eleven persons, who Wer
all down with it at the same time.
"a A lady stpnOoraDhnP is astonishing the oil