Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-24
The Senate Struggle.


The struggle for supremacy in the ma
tional senate has come no sooner than sa-
gacious republicans anticipated. They
foresaw months ago the possibility OF the
state OF things now existing in the senate.
The habitual absence of one republican
senator from his seat and the taithless-
ness of two others. temporarily gave the
democrats majority of the senate. which
they have endeavored to improve in such ii
manner as to make their majority perma-
pent. As yet they have not succeeded,
but the contest is not ended, and will be
resumed Monday, when we trust the re-
publicans will be able to renew and main
tain their sway in the senate.
The senate in the recent struggle stood
on Wednesday as follows; present and
voting 80 members. paired II, absent
and not paired /. vacancies 3. OF the 90
members present and voting 81 are classed
~ republicans, 20 as democrats, and /,
Davis of Illinois. as an independent.
But ii proved when test of strength
was made in consequence OF Thurman's
resolution, offered Wednesday, TO dis
charge the committee on Privileges and
Elections from the consideration of the
contest in the South Carolina case OF Nj.
c. Butler against Corbin, that the repub-
lican side could muster only 29 votes
while the democrats had 80, democrat
ic majority of /. This result was effected
by Davis Independently voting with the
democrats; also Conover of Florida.
republican; while Patterson OF South Car
DINA, another republican, was absent.
Conoyer went over to the democrats, and
this with Patterson's absence and Davis's
vote gave the democrats majority.
In the subsequent votes which took
place Thursday. Patterson voted steadily
with the democrats every time as it ap-
pears, and Conover voted with them until
the vote was taken upon adjourning to
Monday. when he changed his vote to
the republican side, making tie. and CIV
ing Vice President Wheeler an opportuni-
~ to decide by his vote in favor of ad-
journment, as the republicans desired.
What Monday will bring forth remains
70 be seen. The contest however is OF vi
tal importance. The democratic purpose
IL to give Butler, the Hamburg butcher,
. seat in the senate at once, and thus re-
inforcsd they hope to be able to admit
the democratic contestants from Louisi-
lana. and by this ruse secure permanent
democratic control OF the senate.
That Patterson and Conover have sold
themselves to the democrats appears too
evident on the face of the record they
have made. Patterson is now being
prosecuted in the courts by the Wade
Hampton administration of South Caro-
lima for alleged crimes in connexion with
the public affairs of that State, and
his vote has doubtless been bargained
70 secure the favor OF his pros
scutors. At least facts seem TO wear that
appearance. Conover's course can be ac-
counted for on no other hypothesis than
that be has sold himself and basely betray-
ed bis party. There is still opportunity to
show that they have been misjudged, an d
we hope it may prove SO but fear it will
not. Should the democrats steal the con-
troll of the senate by the purchased vote
of these men, how will all other instances
of public corruption known in these times
sink into insignifcance when compared
with thisp Whether the scheme of the |
democrats succeeds or fails. it will teach |
the necessity of unity in the republican
party, respect for faithful party leadership
among republicans, and the folly of COM
promising or paltering with the spirit and
purpose of the men whose fit representa-.
tive Ii Butler, the leading assassin in the
Hamburg massacre.