The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1877-12-01
THE SENATORIAL CONTEST.
The Interesting Struggle for Party Suprem-
acy in the United states Senate-TieWs
Of . Republican Journal.

The Interesting struggls for Party Suprem.
acy I'm the United states Senate-Fiewa
Of . Republican Journal.
From the Philadelphia Press, Nov. 81
Fierce is the parliamentary struggle in the
Senate, and hard, II not protracted, Will be
the contest inaugurated by Mr.. Thurman,
Of Ohio, ON yesterday. The fight Is one fol-
political PrepondeIance m the senate ha!e
both houses Of the National Legislature will
be in opposition to the Administration. The
contest was brought on by the death of SEN
ator Morton, and the appointment by Gov.
Williams, Of Indiana, Of Mr.. Voorhees, in his
place. To review the situation briefly, it is
this: The full Senate consists Of 76 MEM
bers. Three Of these seats are contested,
and therefore vacant. The parties to the
contest are Kellogg vs.. Spoford, Pinchback
VS.. Eustis, all of Louisiana, and Corbin vs..
Butler, Of South Carolina. Besides these
vacancies, Senator Sharon, o bonanza king
of Nevada, has not returned to his seat, and
il is said does not intend to do SO. He Is a
Republican, and has not paired. The other
absentees are paired.
This situation ut the beginning of the spe.
cfal session gave the Republicans majority
Of five, including Sharon. On the death Of
Senator Morton his place passed into the
control Of the Democrats, and left the Re.
publican majority only three in full Sem
ate, including the absent Sharon. As there
were exactly three contested seats the ques-
ton Of Democratic victory in each case was
onesof control Of the Senate. This means o
complete reorganization Of the committees,
and clean partisan sweep through both
houses, which, In the present aspect Of af-
fairs, would be great misfortune. 1t
would revive the fast subsiding political ran
coz and place the conciliatory administration
of Mr.. Hayes in an awkward position. A
tn
detection from the Republican ranks of Sem
ators C0n0ver Of Florida and Patterson Of
South Carolina. Patterson is in an awkward
predicament, being under indictment at
Columbia, s. c., for corruptly procuring
votes and for collision with Cardoza and
Smalls. He is pleading his Senatorial priv
ilege now in District Court against extra
every thing to fear from the animosty of his
political foes. A great chance is given him
TO conciliate them by voting with the Dem
Ocrats, and thus making his political services
so valuable that his prosecutors may leave
him unmolested until he has done his work
at Washington for the Democrats. We do
not charge any negotiations with him to this
effect on the Democrats; his own position is
temptation enough. Another influence 0per-
ates, besides, upon both COnOver and Patter-
son. They now represent States completely
surrendered to Democratic organization by
the action of President Hayes on his
accession to Office. They have moth
ing at home to gain by persisting
in Republicanism; but some induce
yer may find political future in Florida
as a Democrat, but none as q Republican.
The vacillating votes Of these two men, and
the absence of Sharon, has inspired the Dem
ocrats In the Senate with the hope of gain
ing control Of that body. II both Of them
vote on that side, the Senate will divide as
81 Democrats to 5 Republicans, exclusive
Of Sharon. II these men will vote to
seat Butler or Eustis, who have the best
cases, the Democratic prepOnderance is Sc
cured without them, at least sufficient to de-
feat Kellogg and seat Sp0ffOrd. II the Demo-
Gratis win, with Buffers and Eustis's help,
the other Louisiana Senator, they will tie the
Senate, If Sharon comes back and Patterson
and Conover return to their political
allegiance. But ConOver and Patterson,
having betrayed their party, can not re-
turn thither, and ii Sharon comes
to Washington to take part in the present
excitement, he will not probably stay. The
prospect is good, therefore, for Demo-
cratic control of the Senate. The adjourn
ment yesterday until Monday is clearly in
order to bring Sharon back. He can reach
Washington on Monday in time for vote.
But the adjournment was only carried by
the casting vote Of the Vice.President, Con-
over and Patterson neutralizing each other.
1t is hair breadth escape so far.
This is the whole story condensely stated.
The struggle will be sharp one, and every
strategy possible under the dilatory rules OF
the Senate will be resorted to ere either side
surrenders. determinations will abound
and bitter antagOnisms be cngendered. II
the Republicans lose it will be owing to the
worthless character Of Patterson, the weak
ness of COnOver and the selfish imbecility OF
Sharon, whose bonanza wealth alone made
him Senator.