Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-03-27
u.. sUWNER,s SUCCESSOR.

The Legislature OF Massachusetts
will vote to-day for a Senator to sue
coed Mr.. Sumner in the United States
Senate. The Democratic caucus has
nominated Benjamin r. Curtis, at one
time q Judge upon the Bench of
the United States Supreme Court,
and admitted by all to have
been one of the ablest who ever
sat there The Boston advertiser, a
Radical sheet, says sit is strong nom
iuation, and one that may we'll consol-
idate the votes of the opposition.
Judge Curtis is q democrat of moder-
ate and independent views, universally
honored in his profession, and respect
ed by men of all parties
The Radicals have made no nomina-
ton but viii, the 4ducrtise,' thinks,
concentrate their votes upon Judge
Hoar and Mr.. Dawes. Mr.. Dawes is
the favorite of General Butler. and it
will be remembered took no part in
the opposition to the confirmation OF
SIMMONS for Ire Office of Collector Of
the port of Boston. The Legislature
of Massachusetts conGists of two hum
dred and eighty meul!'ers, of whom
seventy-six are Democrats. If there
fore there shall be serious divi-
sion in the Radical ranks, the
Democrats will hold the balance pow
er and be masters of the situation.
That there will be a serious division
between the friends of Butler and the
friends of Hoar, Adams and the others
of the Radical party who affect to
be respectable, there is scarcely any
room to doubt. 1t is to he hoped,
however, that the Democrats will use
their power to greater advantage in
the election of Mr.. Summers successor
than they did in the memorable con-
test when Mr.. Sumner himself was
first elected-a contest so remarkable
in many respects that it May not be
out of place for US to recall its main
points.
In the State election the peo-
pie had failed to make choice, owing
to the fact that the free sellers had a
candidate in the field, who was no
other than the present Vice-President
of the United States. The election
being thrown into the Legislature and
the coalition being formed, George S.
Boutwell,, the Democratic candidate,
was elected Governor. Two Senstors
were to be chosen, one to fill a vacancy
caused by the resignation of Daniel
Webster. To this place Robert Rant
oul, Democrat, was chosen. The
arrangement was that Mr. Sumner
should be elected to the Senate for the
long term, and this was the compensa-
ton which the free soilers were to
receive for their services in the
Democratic cause. But it was
easier to promise than to fnl-
fill. The Democrats were not
not very tractable, and Caleb Gushing
was at the head of rebellious faction.
The fight lasted three months On the
first ballot 1913 votes were necessary
for choice, and Mr. Sumner received
$50 to 166 for Robert c. Winthrop, tie
wing candidate. Another ballot re-
suited in the same manner This was
on the 10th of January, 1851. On the
23d, Mr.. Sumner received 1877 votes,
1872 beinp necessary for a choice On
the sixteenth ballot Mr.. Sumner want
ed two votes of an election. Every
two weeks there was an attempt at
electing a senator, but no results.
Gu the oath of April, the twenty-fftii
ballot was taken with this result
Whole number of votes cast, 3S4;
necessary to a choice, 1913; Charles
Sumner, 1913; Robert G. Winthrop,
l66; scattering, %; blanks, . And
Charles Sumner was elected Thus a
State in which the wings claimed
plurality of 10000 had a dem
ocratic governor and democratic
and free soil senator's.
1t will doubtless surprise many of
our readers to learn that Mr.. Sumner
was elected to the United States SEN
ator by the aid of Democratic votes
The country needs no more Summers.
If, however, another is to be inflicted
upon us let not the fault lie at the door
of the Democracy.