The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-25
THE SPLIT IN THE GR0UP.
The Great Debate III the senate upon the
Compromise BiiI.

WASHINGTON, Jan. a The four Republi-
can Senators who lead in point of ability and
influence are unqucstonaby Conklng. Nor
ton, sherman. and E1munds. Blaine Of Maine
an adroiter politician than either Morton
Conklng. or Edmunds, Is n newcomer. and il
content TO build up his strength in the Senate
by other means than fo rcnsic effort. The four
leading Republican Senators, then, are those
who have already made elaborate speeches on
the compromise bill. two supporting the meas
urc and two opposing it with fury that seems
like desperation.
1t is u long time since there has been 80 clean
complete. and hopeless n split in the strength
OF the Republican party in the Senate. When
John Sherman and Judge Edmunds quarrel
over a party question. and Roscoe Conkling
hurs sarcasms across the aisle at Morton till
the " Great war Governor writhes in his chair.
the spectacle is an interesting one. and the gal
eries are sure to be full. II the issue were less
important or the discussion less vigorous de-
bate involving so much abstract constitutional
argument and dry precedent would lure few
listeners to hear IT, Ever since Edmunds
opened the debate public interest has centred
at tho Senate chamber and there has not been
room for the crowds anxious to endure the bad
air and the inevitable headache. The general
impression in the galleries seems TO be that Ed
munds IL working for the Republican party.
sherman for Hayes. Morton for himself. and
Conkling for his country.
Tho interest eliminated on Tuesday. when
Sherman sat down and Conkling stood up. II
had been an open secret for ut least month
that the views OF the Senator from New York
were not In accord with those Of Mr.. Hayes's
next friend. His utterances upon the electoral
count had been looked forward to with anxiety
l.,ia al ,uth h,r hv hnp h.t tool
the floor. members Of the other branch nockcd
in until tho House was left with hardly quo
rum. Every Senator paid Mr.. Conkling the
compliment of undivided attention. with the
single exception Of the superannuntcd Hannibal
Hamlin. who kept on writing franks. Blaine,
who is not on speaking terms with Mr.. Conk
ling. came forward and took a chair almost un-
der the orators nose Soon. however. Mr..
Ferry, uneasy under Conkling's scathing treat
ment Of the theory which gives him the only
national importance he has or can hope to have.
beckoned for Blaine. and appeared to derive
consolation from tho whispered comments
OF the new member. Thurman planted
n chair where he could face the
orator. and called David Dudley Field TO his
side. John Sherman talked with his brother.
the General. William ". Evarts listened intent
~ to the argument. Norton whose head came
almost within the reach of the orators arms.
seowled and INJECTED. and took cOpious notes.
Mr.. Conkling's oratory. by far the best that the
present Senate affords. was heard to advantage
after the rasping periods of John sherman,
viii IN follow each other like the scrape of ie
upon the successive teeth Of hand saw. Tho
eloquent Senator has never spoken more elo-
quently. "a he has never spoken more wisely or
mora periodically.
The effect II the arguments OF Edmunds and
Conkling upon the majority in the Senate and
the value Of their services 10 the country. can be
best appreciated 10y imagining what the vote on
the bill would have been If Morton and sherman
had been permitted to buldoze the party with
mt N