Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-03-28
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SATURDAY MORNING. Mar. 2s, 1874.
THE MASSACHUSETTS, ESATOR-
SHIP

THE MASSACHUSETTS, Sc M TOR
SHIP
The contest in the Massachusetts legis-
lature over the election of senator pro-
ceeds very deliberately. From day to
dav a vote is taken, without settling the
question who shall be Mr. Summers sue
cessor. Had the republicans gone into
caucus at first they might have shortened
the process of election very much, and
probably the result would have been the
same as will be finally reached by the
present long and tedious method OF voting
in the legislature. The vote which is
taken daily in the Legislature answers no
other purpose than to concentrate the re-
publican vote, which is precisely what the
caucus would have done in one or two
sittinos at most, and without fraction OF
the irritation. embarrassment and danger
of corruption and improper interference
from sources hostile to the republican
marty. unavoidable in the course now
pursued.
With the exception of twenty votes the
whole republican strength was concen-
trated upon Dawes and Hoar on Thurs
day. On the first vote, which was taken
on Tuesday, the two branches voting sep
arately, Dawes received IS votes, Hoar
70, the latter leading the former votes
On Wednesday, when the voting in joint
convention began, Dawes received 81
votes. Hoar S2,-a gain OF II votes for
Dawes and 3 for Hoar, and placing
Dawes ahead of Hoar. On Thursday.
in the second and last ballot that day,
Dawes received 90, and Hoar Sl,-the
former having gained five votes and the
latter lost one since the previous day
Dawes gained from the first vote Tuesday
to the close Of the voting Thursday IL
votes, Hoar but2 votes.
The result of these ballotings tells very
strongly in favor of Mr. Dawes. As the
republicans of Massachusetts come TO
take the sober second thought they view
with greater favor and clearer judgment
the claims which he presents for the SEN
atorship. The friends of Mr.. Hoar have
been ardent in his support, but we have
no doubt they are true republicans and
reasonable men, and have no idea of car
rying their opposition to Mr.. Dawes TO
such extremity as to disorganize the re-
publican party and play into the hands of
the democrats. If they cannot elect their
favorite the most reasonable thing for
them to do is to wheel in to the support of
Mr.. Dawes.
An important consideration in the mat
ter is the fact that Mr.. Dawes lacks but
five votes of a clear majority of the re-
publican strength in the legislature. He
has received 92 votes, and 81 votes will
be majority. When he reaches 81 votes.
as we believe he will, he may claim that
he is entitled to the entire republican vote,
as he would have been had he received
the same number of votes in caucus.
That will show that he is the choice of a
majority of the republicans. and the same
principle that rules in caucus-submis-
sion to the will of the majority-must be
observed or the republican organization
in Massachusetts be dishonored and IRE
trievably broken up. This fact stands out
SO plainly that 1t cannot be overlooked,
and the announcement that Mr.. Dawes
has received 81 votes, we shall. regard as
equivalent to the decision of the contest
in his favor.