Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-01
KELLoee AID BUTLER SEATED.


AS we anticipated, both Butler asd
Kellogg we're sworn in and seated in the
senate yesterday. By the aid Of Patter'
son and Conover the Democrats were
enabled to give Butler the seat to which
he was elected and entitled, bat 10 Kel-
logg's case it was different. He had no
shadow OF a claim to the seat, but Pat.
terson, and we presume Conover, stood
by the party in his case, and therefore
be was seated. Patterson voted with the
Democrats first because he is opposed to
Hayes Southern policy, and wanted to
rsbuke it, and secondly to perhaps secure
immunity from prosecution at the hands
of the authorities in South Carolina
We see it charged by the Republican
papers that there was a bargain of this
kind between Patterson and the Demo
Gratis. While this is no doubt ground
less, Patterso1's vote will probably mol.
lily those who have it in their power
TO send him 10 the %penitentisry if be
is ever brought to trial in a court Of JUS
tics. 1t is most likely that the seating
Of Butler will satisfy the public mind,
aud that Patterson will somehow slip out
of the net hat was set for him. AS a
United States Senator it is possible that
he may be given the benefit of his priv
iiege by the court in the District Of Col
umbia, and thus keep away from the
State he miSrepresents a little longer.
His term expires on the Sd of March,
1879; after that be will cease to be an
object Of public interest and forever drop
out Of the seat he bought from a corrupt
and ignorant negro Legislature, aud cease
to be afaetor for evil in national or State
politics. The Republicans need not con-
sole or amuse themselves with the idea
that Patterson has become a Democrat
or is claimed as one, BE is a national
outgrowth and production Of the party to
whichhe yet belongs, and though his vote
may have been turned 10 good account
in a single instance, it is about the first
and no doubt the last time. If now be
csn be made the instrument of hasten
ing the downfall Of his own corrupt and
profigate party it will look like the re-
tribute economy Of divine justice. 1t is
like forcing a criminal to make his own
coffin and drive the wagon to his own
funeral. When histimo is out q Demoera!
will be elected to join NJ. G. Batter IN the
senate, and poor old prosecuted, down.
trodden South Carolina will again be
represented by men Of worth and public
virtue. AS to the seating Of Kellogg
that is q great outrage committed 10 The
spirit which characterized the eight par
tisan members Of the electoral commits
sion. But time makes all things even
at last. The small majority OF two
or three left 10 the Republican party
in the senate will shortly be reduced
Even now some OF the members see thl
impending doom that hangs over then
aud only hasten it by their desperation
Kellogg WAS elected by a legislature tina
had nc legal existence, and was protecie,
and encouraged by Federal bayonets
The State has had no representative il
TIE senate for over two years. Mr.. Ensii
has been asking for his seat all thi
time. His claims are good. He las n
contestant for the seat. he was elecie
by a legislature organized upon the basi
known as the Wheeler compromise,
whose authority was nsver doubted @
questioned. Vice President Wheeler
then chairman Of a house committed
was the author of the compromis,
which the senate sets aside for psrtisa
purposes. Louisiana is deprived OF
senator because the one elected is
Democrat. The American people wi
remember this crime Of the age aud Civ
their early verdict at the bsllot-box,
--@H-