The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-04
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.
The Democrats Puzzled Over
the Speakership.
Uncertainty OF the Choice OF q
United States Senator.

HARRISBURG, Pa, JAM 8, 1870,
The FIRST new Legislature OF the State OF Penn
syvania under the revised constitution viii as
semble in this city on Tuesday, and win be COM
posed OF los democrats, ninety republicans, one
independent, and one prohbtionist. 1t win be
noticed, therefore, that the House contains lol
members more than ever heretofore, while the
democrats have fixed majority OF eighteen. Tho
organization or the House will accordingly be-
democratic, and the democrats are at present ex.
ceedingly puzzled over the Speakership. They
seem to be waverlng undetermined, bewildered.
ALL SORTS OF COMBINATIONS
have been formed touching the chair, but no
sooner effected than broken. Indeed, IL may be
said that the representatives are greatly divided
and evident confusion exists among their ranks
Harrisburg has never seen such a wildly excited
Sabbath day. and the democrats have found it i'm
possible to hold their caucus as yet. The real
truth OF the matter IS that in coming to power az
ter the many past years Of defeat the democratic
members are comparatively at sea, and show no
little ignorance in political manGuvering. Be-
Sides under the circumstances which attended the
election OF several members,
THEIR PLEDGES TO THE PEOPLE,
who voted them into ONCE, prevent them from
entering into any definite combination at all.
This is very touchy point, as 1t might involve the
fate OF the Senatorship. Mr.. Wallace, for the
reason tudt ue HAS uHuTcu III oldtc 81 Ouk,
is mentioned by many as an exponent of the ring,
against which the class OF democrats mentioned
ABOVE are solemnly pledged to vote. Hence arises
the great difficulty OF Erecting anything like a
perfect organization, and This can state with the
assurance that no such organization mas, as yet,
been made, though 1t Is by no means certain that
1t may not be accomplished.
THE PROBABILITIES
however are that Mr.. Patterson, Of Allegheny,
will secure the Speakership, in which case the
Cierkship must needs go to the representatives
from the East, Mr.. Woolever, OF Lehigh, and Mr.
McGowen, OF Philadelphia, being the two candi-
ocrats Is to involve the fghtsfor the United states
SenatOrsnp in the light Tor the 0ff1cers OF the
House but thus TAR all snch attempts nave PROVED
been frustrated. There ID but little excitement
over
THE SENATORIAL QUESTION
Itself, just at the present moment, since no one
OF tae antagonists Of Mr.. Wallace seems DESTROYS
OF taxing advantage OF him at this hour, when he
has been Unexpectedly summoned home to attend
his father's funeral; but when the struggle comes
IN m nab pc ayo and Judging ire ne
ton current on the street and In all the ever
crowoed hotels, his election seems sure Mr..
Buckalew, however, has openly expressed him
sell against him and condemned the manner in
which he has previously nlied his ONCE and con,
Buckaew himself are very poor indeed, while
those OF Mr. Black are IN no wise better. Clymer
CLAIMS as before communicated, eighty votes.
THE REPUBLICANS WAITING.
The republicans viii not hold their caucus until
the last possible moment Then, If everything Is
against them, they VIII renominate, out OF compli
ment, their present United states Senator Mr..
Scott; but, II through any extraordinary c0mbina.
ton or circumstances they see chance OF sue
cess, Scott will at once be thrown overheard and
the nomination In all probability will be rendered
to Mr.. b. H.. Brewster, OF Pniladelphla, In reward
for his great service during the late campaign.
CONTRADICTORY CAUCUSES.
q q a a q
all crowded with vehement, excited politicians,
who DO not seem to know which way TO turn nor
how to act. Caucuses Of confidential nature are
held every hour but in most instances one caucus
upsets everything another caucus agreed upon.
Mr.. Parker, OF Mifhin county, looms up at times
as strong antagonist OF Mr.. Patterson Ior the
Speakershlp and there are great many who in
sst that this office must eventually fall to Mr.. W.
crat, has been elected three times from q county
that Is republican.
Everything Is in disorder. No one dare predict
the issue. The State has not known such an ex-
citing scene for many years. Nothing definite Will
be decided tonight as test vote cannot possibly
made tomorrow. The democratic majority OF the
House in joint ballot owing to death and SICK
ness, has been reduced from seven to two. This
alone Is exceedingly bad for the party. Buckalew
AN ELABORATE FIAT
in which he Bternly denies the eligibility OF Wal
lace for the nomination OF United states Senator,
on the ground that a member Of the State Legls-
ture can neither legally accept the nomination
nor legally be elected to this nigh office. He backs
up his arguments by quoting extensively from the
original constitution OF the state framed in 1776
from all her recent constitutions and from the
new constitution, under the conditions with
which the Senate cOnvenes. He cOrrOborates his
opinion also by citations from the constitutions Of
Massachusetts, Michigan and other States, as well
as from story on the constitution of the United
States. AS soon as this paper Is generally clrcu-
lated 1t 10 sure to create great sensation.