Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-12-04

The 6ercest partisan contest which has
taken place in Congress for generation,
was witnessed in the Senate. last week.
The Republican majority in this body had
been reduced TO three before the extra
session was called. and there were three
contested vscancieS-oue from South Car
olius and two from Louisiana. Il was
evident that if the Democratic contestants
in these cases were admitted there would
be tie on all party questions, buI it their
opponents found seats, there would be 3
Republican majority Of six. OF course
this state of affairs led to much calculs-
ton snd scheming by both sides TO secure
the admission OF their respective Candi-
dates. Senator Sharon OF Nevada has
large interests in silver mines in his State,
and instead OF attending to Congressional
duties. be is habiluAlly absent. looking
after his mining interests, leaving q WORK
ing majority of but two in the Senate.
Last week the Democrats hit upon .
scheme for Selling the Senate before
Shsron's return. Senator Patterson, the
present Republican Senator from South
Carolina, and Conover, Republican. OF
Florida, we're induced to vote with the
Democrats for the admission Of Butler,
Democratic contestant for the second seat
from South Carolina. With this help il
would be sn easy matter TO seat the other
two democratic candidates, and thus con-
Tol the upper house. Patterson and
Conoyer have made speeches explain
ing their apOstscy, They say they are
satisfied that Butler should be seated as
matter Of right, and claim that they are
actuated by high moral consideration. Ii
is s fact, however. that Patterson is under
indictment for securing his election by
bribery, and many believe that on con-
siderahon of his voting to admit Butler,
the Democrats have agreed to secure him
immunity from punishment
The three contested cases were before
the appropriate committee. The case of
Kellogg vs.. Spoford Of Louisiana was
FIRST committed. and was therefore emit
tied to first consideration; but the Dem
ocrats were III no wise sure OF their case
in that State, and so violated all prece-
dent by moving that the committee be
discharged on the Butler case. thus bring
ing it directly before the Senate. A mo-
ton to lay on the table was defeated By
the assistance Of Patterson and Conoyer.
Then followed scene seldom witnessed
in our legislative bodies. Dillatory mo-
tiOns were made, in hopes OF warding of
action until assigned matters should be
the order of the day. A session was held
for twenty-eight consecutive hours, be-
ginning with Monday morning. On We'd
nesdsy, Mr.. Thurman's resolution 10 dis
charge the committee was passed A
session was held on Thursday. and
motion to recommit Kellogg's case which
had become the order. was considered,
but 70 vote was taken.
The battle was ended st two O'Clock
Friday morning, by the admission Of But
Ter. Democrat. from South Carolina, and
Kellogg. Republican, from Louisiana
Patterson and Conover voted with the
Democrats in Buffers case and with the
Republicans for Kellogg. Mr.. Patterson
also made q second speech in his own
defense. arrsigning the President and
his advisers for abandoning the Republi-
can party il the south. claiming that this
action left no other course open TO him
except the one be had taken. The ad-
mission of one Republican and one Dem
ocra. leaves the political complexion of
the Senate unchanged.