The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-02-16


A full Senate consists OF 10 members. The
present Senate contains 40 Republicans and
20 Democrats, giving the former majority
OF IL. One Of the Louisiana seats has been
unoccupied for four years.
The terms OF 20 Senators regularly expire
In March next. Seventeen OF these are Re-
publicsns, and nine are Democrats. In adj
dition 70 supplying their places, there was
the chronic vacancy In Louisiana TO be fli-
ed. and Senators 10 be elected for short
terms In the room Of Morrill, Of Maine, who
went into the Treasury Department, and
Andrew johnson Of Tennessee, and Cap
erton OF West Virginia, both OF whom had
died.
These elections have all been held with
the following qualifications: The rival Leg
isatures In South Carolina have each chosen
Senator; the rival Legislatures OF Louisl-
ana will probably elect two each. one for
the long term, and the other TO MI the va
caDcy.
In these elections, the Democrats have re-
tanned every seat which they hold In the
present Senate, while, irrespective OF the
contested cases In South Carolina and Lou
isiana, they have gained five, and OF course
the Republicans have lost accordingly; as,
for example, Frelinghuysen OF New Jersey
gives place 10 McPherson; Logan Of Illinois
Is supplanted by Davis; Acorn Of Missis-
sippi Yields TO Lamar; Clayton or Arkansas
retires for Garland; and Hamilton OF Texas
goes out for Coke. There have been only
seven reflections OF old members. namely,
Salisbury OF Delaware, Johnston 81 Vir-
ginia. Ransom Of North Carolina. and Davis
or West Virginia. all Democrats. and
Anthony of Rhode Island, Ferry 81 Michi-
gan, and Window Of Minnesota, all kepsb-
licans.
A. 30 Senators have now been chosen for
long terms and short terms. with only seven
Predictions, 20 new men will now take seats
in the Senate. This Is probably without
precedent in the history Of that House.
Without including the three sontroyerted
seats in Louisiana and South Carolina, the
Republicans will have 80 members Of the
new Senate, and the Democrats will have
"a. In this calculation we place Judge
David Davis among the Democrats, TO
which he might object. But we also classi-
~ Judge Christiancy as q Republican, TO
which he might take exception. Probably
each prefers 10 call himself an Independent.
! II the three disputed chairs should be ulti-
mately assigned to the Democrats they
would have 81 members. This would leave
the Republicans with majority OF only
two.
In any event. Republican domination In
the Senate will rest on marrow basis. TO
claim even slender majority, the Repub-
licans must count Christiancy, Of Michigan,
Mcmillan. OF Minnesota, and Booth OF Call
ifornia. Each was elected by union OF the
Democrats with q few. Republicans over the
regular Republican candidates. one OF
whom was Zach Chandler. When chosen
to the Senate, Christisncy aud Mcmillan
were Chief Justices OF their States, and
Booth was Governor Of his. There Is :
dash Of political Independence In each o.
them. Christiancy mas often voted with
} the Democrats on important questions,
. The other two have occasionally done 50.
The new membership will improve the
ability, tone and character of the Senate
Mr.. Lamar, OF Mississippi, will soon b.
found ia the foremost rank OF members
Mr.. Hill. OF Georgia, will fill marked
, place. Mr.. Beck, Of Kentucky. has had |
large experience IN the House, and will oc
cupy respectable position In the Senate
Judge Davis, OF Illinois, will carry with hin
! from the bench into the new arena superior
! qualities as . jurist, and robust talents q
+ u statesman. There will be an immens
: contrast between him and Logan.
So much for the South and West. In TIL
v section OF the country many Of the change
are encouraging. Mr.. Mcpherson will brln
!, TO the discharge Of his duties that VALUABLE
+, knowledge which springs from the success
= full management OF extensive business en-
q terprises. Mr.. Hoar IL a good exchang
r for his plodding predecessor, and even MI
!, Blaine Il in some respects an improvement
/ on Lot Morrill,.