Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-04
Election OF u. ). Senator.


Election of q. s. Senator.
La the State Senate, on Thursday, when the
| resolution for the postpoDcment of the time
for the election of u. s. Senator was intro
duccd, Mr.. Dufiold moved that the rule, re-
curing the joint resolution to lay over, be sus-
pended, and that the same be taken up now,
and referred to the Committee on Federal Re-
lations
Mr.. QueSenberry thought the matter of too
| much Importance to be delayed any longer than
| necessary, when If is considered that the time
IN which to act was limited to Tuesday after
next. lie opposed the reference to commit.
tee, and urged that the Senate consider and
pass upon the resolution at once.
MIR. Herudon urged the reference of the res
olutlou. 1t was important TINT the subject
should be maturely considered, and for this
| there was abundant time
Mr.. Penn took the same view.
Mr.. Smith, of Nelson, said be favored refer
ence to the Committee on Federal Relations,
| as the subject Was one of grave and Interesting
import to the Conservative party 10 Virginia.
Ii the election OF u. S. Senator could be post
pored I'LL next winter, it would give the mem
bera OF the General Assembly more favorable
opportunity TO better acqualnt themselves with
the many asprapts for the honor, some of
| whom were legislators. The move would Sc
cure 10 the Conservative cause in 1876 all the
active aid OF these aspirants, and give us time
| IN Virginia TO heal the wounds and settle dis
| turbauces caused by the Radical wedge-inde-
pendent candidates-by which ourcuemy hone
TO divide and conquer Us. But if VIC elect the
IF + H.,
honor would either be entirely inactive or be-
come slow horses in the party harness 10 the
important and alabSorbng Presidential con-
test so close at hand. He would like first to
see the platform Of our rational Democratic
| patty for 1876, and know that the Senator to
be elected would stand squarely on IT, tie
conceded that there was political significance
10 the resolution, andasa reason why we should
move cautiously 10 the matter cited the Inf
deity of Hon. John f. Lewis.
Mr.. Allan opposed the resolution on the
ground of its political character and partisan
purpose. 1t was intended, as the Senator from
Nelson iDtltnated 10 his remarks, to make ac
tive all the best talent in the Conservative par
ty, aud to hold the Senatorship as gift to re-
ward him vino contributed most by his exer-
tons to the success of the patty. But the mi.
norlty which he represented intended to enter
that contest with the view of giving the cleo
toral vote of Virginia to the Republican party,
as 10 1872. But notwit hstauding his oppos.
ton to the resolution, he might have said moth
ing, but for the reflection contained 10 the re-
marks OF tue last speaker upon Senator Lewis.
There was 10 occasion tor him to argue the
matter. We had Republican Senate, and
he thought it probable it could be prevailed
upon not to endorse measure which had for
its sole object to save Virginia tor the Demo
cracy in the Presidential campaign. The
charge OF infdelity against Mr.. Lewis was un
just. He denied that the Senator had been
guilty of any Inconsistency. He was elected
by Republican Senate, and nominated as a
true Republican" upon platform Identical
with that OF the regular Republican party, ex-
cept that it excluded test-oaths and all such
devices to prevent the intelligent people of the
State from participating in its councils. He
had regarded the step as bid from Virginia
for admission to the Union. The Senator who
last spoke wished first to see the Democratic
platform OF '76, that one might be chosen Sen
aOr who could stand squarey upon it. He
thought be could enlighten him on this point:
for, II it were fair to judge of the future by
the past, the Democratic platform of rs would
be the Republican platform of '72. He then
attempted to show that the Democratic party
was tagging ID the rear of the more progress
sive, and taking up its principles one by one
as the wisdom and virtues of them had passed
from theory into fact.
Mr.. Lewis, he repeated. was the true Re.
publican candidate for Lieutenant. Governor in
1869 aud was by that party elected Senator
and acted with the Republican Administration
MIR. Smith replied that all knew the CoDser-
vative strategy of 1869, and that the same
Conservative party which elected Mr. Lewis
Senator bad elected at the same time Senator
Johnston; that there was iDfdelity somewhere,
and that it would be impossible to convince
this body and the people of Virginia that Sen
ator Johnston, who had been re elected for his |
faithful aud able course, was the guilty party.
All OF US knew that the course of our party in I
1869, Known as the Walker movement, had |
destroyed the Radical party 10 Virginia. Call |
it by what name you choose We will not |
bubble about platforms. We are looking t. |
results. Our success 10 1876 is what we want.
and the Senatorial honor will be conferred for |
rea merit, and not solely for party work.
Mr.. Bland then called the pending question. !
on the reference of the resolution, which was
ordered; and the question being put, the reso.
luton Was referred.
The Philadelphia Evening Telegraph says
that representative of the Baltimore and
OHIO Railroad was present at the sale of the |
lhJtddnl NH. N,p,, Vail