New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-27
TIE CONTEST IN THE SENATE.
TIE ExrIANAuoSs OF coSovER AND rArrznsc

TIE EXPLANATIONS OF CONOvER AND PATTERSON
Mr.. EDNUNDs ATTACKS PATTERSON AND
CHARGES CoRRUPTIoS-A NIGHT SESSION.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, Nov. ga great crowd Of people
gathered in the Senate Chamber to-day to witness
the expected transfer Of the political control Of that
body from the Republican party to the Democracy.
Il was not a very distinguished audience, not such
one as gathered during the Belknap trial, nor when
the great debate on the Electoral Commission Bih
was in progress but it was mono the less interested
and sympathetic
The diplomatic gallery was almost deserted Two
or three ladies' occupied front seats in IT, and three
or four attaches of foreign legations representa-
tive of Japan looked down from the blue OF the eN-
elusive seats Of this gallery upon the performance
which was going on below. There was a nolaoe
absence IF the well-kn0wn faces OF foreign Minis
tiers and their families that are generally seen there
on exceptionally interesting occasions. The private
gallery reserved for the families of Senators was
crowded even the steps Hundreds yainly besieeed
the doors for admission. Bat in all the throng'
there were few who were pointed out as oistih-
gu.shed either in politics, letters or society. IAe
people were there, though, AID they not Only
jammed the galleries into which they were admitted
fun, bat they stood in long ires, three and four
abreast. about the doors. rs men range them
selves at the bOX-OiIce OF the theatre "Ith
a popular actor IS TO appear. Not in the
instance really expecting to get IN, hui Nn1'hh'
many OF them, for hours; n the bare nope lAI, SUM-
weary of tho crowd would come Ont and make room
for them To get in where they could see ana near
what was COiugOn. Half the members OF the rouse
of Representative were on the 1CoT Ut the 1cuate
The popular branch Of Congress was not in session
to-day, and thc scenes ln the ,cEate tu1mo"f .a'l
to them all the attractive interest oI u place Oh
amusement.
FRtlDUSARY DEBATE.
-,,rrir.y Iaur "a s.. ocpunpd routine bis
mess The only incidents which occurred having
any bearing upon the interesting business OF the
day were The report of the Committee on Privileges
and Elections in favor of thc admission cfex-Goy-
ernor Kellogg. and the introduction Of resolution
by Senator Edmunds calling upon the Attorney
General 90 inform the Senate Of all Investigations OF
crime in South Carolina which mad been made Us
his department since 1873. Neither OF these sub
jccts could be at once considered under the rules
asinC, objection carried them over Tor day; and
that objection was not wanting.
When the hour Of 7 O'Clock arrived, and the Wee
President laid before the Senate the unfinished
business of the last session, which was Senator
TLurmau'5 resolution 10 discharge the committee
from the further consideration Of the Butler case,
there was hush in the Chamber. The great audience
leaned forward 90 what would be the first move
eDt IN the interesting game that was TO be played.
sIu
vote upon ;hs question The position which The
Senator from Illinois occupies midway between the
two great parties in the senate, aud the Akeii-
hood that the balance IF political power Is
to rest in his hands during tie greater part Of
the present Congress, made anything which he
might say doublv important. lie dis-lcimcd hav-
ing made mp mi mind In regard 20 tie Butler case.
He assorted that De voted for the resolution
simply because me believed that tie vacant seats in
the Senate ought promptly % be filed and because
as ne was informed, there was no question Of
fact at issue between Messrs. Corbin and
Butler but simply orc Of law, which
the senate was fGlly capable !of deciding
without the repor, of q committee. He di-c.1ilaed
aay desire TO give preference 90 the Butler case over
that Of Kellogg. and declared tina ii the latter lad
been brought first before The Senate lie shoald have
insisted upon It's first consideration.
Senator Elmunds followed Judge Davis. re
opeued his speech with some facet0us remarks sug-
eested by the anomalous position occupied by he
latter. lie said that two parties in the Senate were
very evenly balanced, he oil not know about
the third party looking toward senator Davis, bu;
he assumed that thar party was Hnanimous.
The point Of Mr. Eduuuds's speech was M appeal TO
Senator Davis not 10 obIige honest Rcpu 'icaDs who
desired 10 vote upon such questions as this lG sc
coriauce with law aud the facts 10 follow the party
prochvtes as they would have to 10 if they could
not get an opportunity To investigate the questions
involved I'D the course of his speech lie referred
IN very low tones hardly audible in the gallery, 10
corrupt bargains reported to have been made.
Senator Macdonald was on his feet at once and
asked Mr. Edmunds to repeat what he had said.
Nj Edmunds replied, referring again to alleged
bargains and cdding, Il donot say that it Is true,
but DO say that have IO doubt OF IT,"
Senator Macdonald retOrtcd by asserting his be-
het that offers had been made on the Republican
SIDE for tie purpose OF holding the votes of Senators
Patterson and ConOver. and that he was willing 10
ioiu with Senator Edmunds IN any invest CATION
that lie might wish 10 institute.
TIE ROLL CALL.
NJ. Edmunds assured Senator Macdonald that he
would have q very speedy opportunity % do 50. He
then made his first motion for an executive session.
The roll call was listened to win anxious attention
urtIl the name Of Mr.. Couover was reached. When
be answered in clear tones, heard throughout tho
Chamber. voting in the negative, with the Demo-
Gratis. hum arose from the gall.ry, and
the floor as thouch the great audience had ,imultanc
ously drawn a long breath after their suspense
This was repeated when Senator Patterson followed
voting also in tine negative with the Democrats
OF course. Air Edmundss motion was defeated, the
vote standing = ia the affirmative 20 30 in the neg
awe Several Senators who were present were
paired with others who were absent.
Senator Chrstaincy followed tho roli-call with a
abort speech IN which ne presented Che case 20 the
Democrats in q very striking al h1miHcH manner.
I'm conclusion, be said that De- Gid not know which
~, he shouil vote on he question Of admitting
Conceal Butler bat when he found OFT what tLe
la, ana the lc.s were he should vote ia accordance
Herewith.
PATTERSON AND CONOYER.
When Mr.. Patterson arose 20 speak 10 he Owl
defence. the Senate witnessed a spectacle such as
has rarely been seen within its walls. The Senator
announced his purpose 10 be TO say something, If