The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-13
RHODE ISLAND SENATORSHIP,
The Contest of Two Great Com.
mercial Houses.
A WHEEL WITHIN A WHEEL
The Candidature of the Hero of
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surface elements OF no little animation and an
tagonism, which were largely introduced by the
Spragues, but with the fallen fortunes OF that
house, political as well az financial, .'the other
house" was, OF course, relieved OF very formlda-
BILE opposition. The disaster to the former, which
Frustrated their political power, naturally gave
rise to the question, "Who will succeed Senator
Spragues" The "Other house" soon developed dis
agreeing parties, . party within a party. or
"tmrd house." as 1t IS now called. The great
family OF Brown 4 Ives, no longer overshadowed
by their powerful political rivals, practically held
the settlement OF the senatorial question in their
hands, but they disagreed on candidates, and the
result is a divided house.
MAJOR GENERAL AMBROSE z. BURNSIDE
was put forward as the chosen candidate OF the
Browns, while the INes' favored ex-Congressman
Nathan F. Dixon, the candidate OF the Providence
Journal The latter named person is the intimate
friend OF Senator Anthony, and the weight Of the
Journals influence is consequently thrown in his
favor. Senator Anthony's paper having thus
taken sides with Dixon, the Sprague organ has
inclined IN favor OF Burnside, which fact consld-
erlng that papers former antipathy to the Gen.
eral serves to illustrate the bedieowship of poll.
tics III strange and remarkable way. Burnside
openly proclaimed himself candidate and his old
comrades in arms at once rallied to his standard
in gOodly numbers. Clubs were established IN the
chief places Of the State in the in erests OF the
General and an active and diligent canvass prose
cuted. The Newport Ne,1s espoused his cause
and such was the progress Of the movements in
his behalf that. up to the assembling OF the Legis
lature, the confident belief prevailed among the
majority OF the people that he would be elected
Notwithstanding the strenuous efforts made for
Burnside the friends Of Dixon were not inactive,
and they ielt confident or their ability to develop
sufficient strength II not to elect their candidate,
at least to defeat that OF Burnside by going over to
a third candidate
Burnside had the advantage OF his opponent in
popularity, but IN point OF ability the latter is
vastly superior, having had years Of legislative ex-
perlence, both national and State. Burnside re-
ceiyed the support OF the soldiers, Dixon that or
the Office holders or "trooy loyal" The formers
strength rests chiefly in his name and lame, that
OF the latter in his acknowledged legislative ab.
ity. The General has worked with zeal ana his
followers have been most actively employed. The
cone IN earnest began In the election OF men,
bers OF the legislature, and the strongest efforts
OF Buinsldes friends were put forth in this city,
which has thirteen repreSen tatives In the Legis-
lature. They confidently boosted that they would
carry the entire city delegation, out
THE TEMPERANCE PEOPLE OPPOSED BURNSIDE,
ano u was owing 10 their influence In the strug-
gle that ne only secured q portion Of the Provl-
dence delegation, majority, the rest being pro-
hibitionlsts opposed TO Burnside. though not com.
mitted 20 Dixon. Ine contest here was 50 close
the entire number OF representatives were chosen.
The Burnside candidate Tor senator was defeated
ana Stanch prohlbltioniSt elected instead. This
result caused some disappointment to Burnside,
and these gave 20 much more nope TO Dixon. At
his home Ia Westerly the latter was compli-
mented by handsome majority as Senator from
that town to the General Assembly. and his pres
ence IN that body OF course must contribute III
no small share TO has chances,
me relative posltlons OF Burnside and Dixon
being sucn as stated IN the foregoing, the chances
OF a third candidate were discussed very gene
rally. and the person suggested as most likely to
win In case OF neither OF the other Two securing
Cnief Magistrate or the state. The Introduction OF
his name was anything but comfortably assuring to
either BURNSIDE or Dixon, ana many members OF
the Legislature soon pronounced in his favor, He
was supported by the prohibitionlsts in the State
election, anu the belief steadily grew that the
Governor would have the experience of Governor
Washourn, oil Massachusetts In coming between
the candidates Of the two rival parties and be
elected
Burnside and Dixon, however, somewhat
recovered from their Tears when Governor
Howard stated that he was not candidate for
the Scnatorship, but were not lully assured that.
after all, his name would not be brought forward
and defeat their prospects.
The irienis OF the General, for two or three
weeks before the assembling OF the Legislature,
boosted Of majority In his favor. while the friends
OF the Westerly member were not without en-
couraging hopes 1t was plain to see that the
assembling OF our State fathers could alone
definitely show the relative strength OF the rival
candidates, and hence the opening OF the session
was anXlousy awaited. The
GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENED,
Newport but was decided to hold an adjourned
session on the 9tn inst to elect Senator to sue
the the senior .ee
Newport, Nathaniel Swnburne, died, and an cleo
ton was held to I'LL the vacancy, resulting In the
defeat OF the Burnside candidate and the election
OF one in favor of Hon. william p Sheffield, the
candidate Of the Newport legislators for the Sem
atorship. The prOhibltionists in caucus nomln-
ated US their candidate ex-Mayor Barstow, OF
Proyoence; put the votes OF that party in the AS
s sem showed that they would not be bound By
IN tha ntrap
about equally divided between Barst0w and Gov
ernor Howard.
Bradley; but, as they constitute but small frac.
ton oil the Legislature they had little hopes OF
termine between the other candidates the AS.
sembly again convened on Tuesday, the 9th fnst
pursuant to adjournment; and at noon the Senate
ana House each TOOK separate ballot Tor Senator
Burnside received 80 votes OF the 1O7 cast lacking
Is OF a majority, which his friends had so con-
received 10 votes, less than his friends
anticipated Notwithstanding Governor How
canadae he receSsa not votes TO be mosS
from the temperance members while the prohbi-
tory caucus nominee, Hon. Amos G. Barstow, was
gwen only 10 votes. The rest OF the ballots were
divided between Judge Bradley, ex-Congressman
Thomas A Jenckes, hon. William p. sheiiied and
OF compliment, the vote Of Governor Howard. On
the following day the Assembly met and Jointly
first JOINT ballot Burnside's vote was the same as
on the day previous, while that OF Dixon increased
TO "a. nve more. Governor Howard received sew
eral more votes, while Barstow also gained a few.
-Four ballots were taken, but no choice resulted.
To-day Cl'hursday) the Grand Committee held two
more joint ballots, but still without Choice and
rom present Indications, IL is not altogether un.
likely that there will be another such struggle as
election is reached. A notable feature OF today,s
session was speech by Governor Howard, an
nouncing peremptOrily the withdrawal OF his
name, which had the effect OF his supporters
mostly giving their votes Tor Barstow, who thus
received ~. Burnslde's vote advanced to 40 and
that OF Dixon to o. The following are
THE JOINT BALLOTS THUS FAR rAKEN:-
Isl. 3D. Sd an. Isha. sth ia