New-York tribune., 1877-11-23
IS THERE a BARGAIN7
pATTERs0N's ACTION ATTRIBUTED ONLY TO DF-
SIRE 10 ESCAPE THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
CASE.



[BY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRmUNE.l
WAsHINGIoN, Nov. 22.-Of course, there is but
one explanation of Mr. Pdttcrson's behavior
to-day. lie has had before him the choice
of two Observation-Disclosures to his party,
or confinement in the penitentary. lie has made
strike for liberty, and chosen the former course. II
may be that none of the Democratic Senators are
prvy to the bargain which has been made, but II IS
asserted by those who ought to be Informed on the
subject, that no more open and barefaced bargain
and sale has ever taken place il the history Of lcgs-
lative bodies.
The testimony against Senator Patterson which
has been taken by the Grand Jury IF South Caro-
na which is cX-parte in its character, ls 50 far as
If goes. overwhelming. A careful examination Of
it fails to show a single flaw and unless hi, defence
is much stronger than any one now supposes, his
conviction upon trial is morally certain.
He expects it is believed as the reward for lHs
treachey to ms party in the Senate and for his part
IN delivering the control of that body 10 the Demo
cracy to escape trial. orf convicted, to be relieved,
from the penalty of his crime by Executive Glenn
ency. How either party can expect to carry out
such bargain rs this, is past comprehension. / he
proceedings upon the application for writ Of ha-
beas corpus pending in the courts of this district
may be concluded fayorably OF unfayorably to him.
Judge Humphreys may decide to take him from the
lease can only be temporary. His case must be cali
ed in court later and when it is called he
must be arraigncd. Any failure to bring the case to
trial will stamp with infamy those who may
be responsible for the delay. No District
Attorney in South Carolina can move
nolle prosequ without giving rise to the
suspicion land it would be more than a
suspcion that he was a party to the bargain by
winch Senator Patterson deserted the Republicans.
and assisted to deliver the control Of the Senate to
the Democrats, No Governor OF the State of South
Carolina could grant pardon, should Mr.. Patterson
be convicted, without bringing disgrace upon hln-
self and the Office which he holds.
1t seems impossible, therefore, that the Democrats
if they have made any bargain with Senator Patter
son, can possibly carry out their part of the agree
ment but he apparently prefers to take the risk OF
that rather than to face what to be inevitable
"a term in the pententiary.
One of the most interesting features of the scene
in the Senate to-day was the presence of General
NJ. c. Butler, of South Carolina, and the part he took
in the management on the Democratic side. During
nearly all of the hour when the voting was
going he was either sitting at one of
the desks among his political associates, or
passing from one to another and apparently con-
sultng with them in regard TO the progress of the
contest On several occasions Senator Patterson
was noticed to be speaking with him though he
was receiving instructions how he should
proceed. A Senator reports having overheard
an order given by M. &. Butler TO
Mr. Patterson in one Of the cloak-rooms
during the progress Of roll call. The former is re-
ported to have asked the latter with an oath, why
he was in the cloak room and TO have directed him
to go out into the chamber and TO vote the right
side, too. Mr. Buffers presence remarked by all
the Republican Senators, and the belief that di-
rect bargain had been made between him and Pat
terson made them more than ever unwilling that he
should obtain a seat in the Senate.
The Republicans of the Senate feel much less bit
tery toward Senator Conover. 1t is not generally
believed that he has received any consideration for
the part he has taken in this business He himself
says that he is actuated wholly by personal motiyes
that he is friend Of Mr.. M G. Butler; that he be-
lieves that the committee has had sufficient time to
dispose of the case; and that he is de-
termined to do what hs can " remove any obsta-