New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-22

WHICH PARTY SHALL RULE TuE sENAfE-CoNONER
P2ECIPlTATEs A LIVELY STRUGGLE WHICH WILL
lake III .CE Tn-nAN.

A FIGHT FOR SUPREMACY.
WHICH PARTY SHALL RULE TuE sENATE-CoNOvER
PQECIPlTATFs LIVELY STRUGGLE, WHICH WILL
TAKE PLACE TO-DAY.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Nov. Ex-senator Conoycr has the
satisfaction of having enabled the Democrats to
win their first victory in many years in the Senate.
The resolution introduced by Senator Thurman
yesterday 10 discharge the Committee on Privileges
and Elections from further consideration of the ere
deut.als Of NJ. c. Butler came up for
discussion this morning. The debate upon
it was not a particularly interesting one. Many
speeches were largely devoted to statements and
countcr-statcmcnts Or the proceedings of the Com
mitee on Privileges and Elections, and defence Of
that committee by Republican members Of il, from
the accusation OF having unnecessarily delayed ac-
ton upon these important contested election cases.
This went on until late in the afternoon,
when Senator IIoar moved to lay Mr..
TLurmau's resolution on the table. HIS
under the rules OF the Senate made an Immediate
vote necessary, and as the Republicans had care
fully counted the Senators on each side OF the
House and found that even if Mr. Davis, Of Illinois,
who is an uncertain quantity on all political cues
tious. should vote with the Democrats, they would
still have a majority of one, they were anxious To
dispose of the question at once
side for several days. that Mc.sis. Patterson and
Conover would vote against the Republicans Cd
resolutions Of thsi character. But the Republicans
had not credit such reports. Just as the vote on
Nh Hoar's resolution Was being taken, Mr. Thur
man on the suggestion it is SAID, of Senator Como
yer who was lot ready TO record himself ,Quarely
Oh tie question today, moved that the Senate pro-
coed to executive business. This at once became a
test question. The Republicans al in favor Of
an immediate vote believing that they were able
TO Law the resolution on the table, and thus dispose
of II for the present session. The Democrats hoping
that If the matter went Oyorunul tomorrow, they
would secure the vote Of Mr.. C0noyer. who desired
postpouemcnt, and Of Mr.. Patterson. who was
not ia his seat, all voted in favor of Mr..
Thurmans motion for executive scs-
sion. The result Of this vote sur
prise to the Republicans. Senator Davis and
Conover voted with the Democrats, and gave
them majority of one. Every Senator was ac-
counted for, IN the vote by par. which was an
uounced, except Messrs. Sharon and Patterson.
The latter was in the District Court during the
early part Of the day where argument was proceed
ing his application for habeas corpus to release
him from the custody of the state officials of South
Carolina, but the court adjourned an hour or two
before the test vote was taken.
If Mr.. Conovcr votes with the Democrats to-mor-
row, of which there is still some doubt, Mr.. Thur
mans resolution viii still be before the Senate, and
the Republicans can only prevent the speedy admis
sion Of NJ. c. Butler by continuing the debate on the
subject indefinitely. Mr.. Conoyer's vote to-day
caused a great sensation among the Republicans,
and leads some OF them to believe that the threat
winch the carpe-baggers in the senate are reported
to have made, 20 vote in favor of the admission OF
Democratic claimants Tor seats from Louisiana and
South Carolina, may yet be carried out.
LATER: Senator Conoyer says, this evening that
he shall vote for the admission OF NJ. G. Butler but
declares that he shall do on personal grounds and
that when the Kellogg case comes up he shall vote
with the Republicans. In order TO checkmate
the Democrats, the Committee on Privileges
and Elections held a meeting this evening, and
agreed to close the Kcllosg-Spof case at
once. They will probably report resolu-
tion to the Senate immediately after the reading
Of the journal, and demand It's immediate con-
sideration, a question of privilege. The contest
will then Immediately arise over its consideration,
the Democrats insisting that the unfinished business
Uhuman's resolution, must be proceeded with, and
the Republicans that tine Kellogg resolution shall
be taken up at once,
The contest is one for party supremacy in the Sem
ate. If the Democrats can seat Mr.. Butler they
VIII gain vote and may then be able to seat the
two Democratic claimants from Louisiana, and that
would make the Senate stand thirty-six Republic
cans and thirty-sX Democrats, with one of the Re-
pubhcans lSharonl hdbtuauy absent. The Demo
Gratis selected the Butler the one on which the
first contest should be made, because they believed
themselves stronger upon it than upon either of the
others Senator COnovers vote transferred from the
Republican 10 the Democratic side reduces the ma
jorty Of the former by two and il is currently
1al.r
vote against NJ. G. Butler if hc does not vOtefOr his
admission. PattersOn's case is now pending in the
Courts OF the District, and If he should be taken
back to South Carolina he may need Democratic
friends. II is even reported, although tine rumor
may do the Senator injustice, that bargain has
been made that he shall not be prosecuted Tor the
bribery if hc does stand in the way Of Buffers
admission. The contest viii be very exciting and
interesting one.