Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-23
Washington News.
DEMOCRATIC STRuaGLE TO OBTAIN CONTROL OF
THE SENATE.
Especial to the Boston Advertiser

special to the Boston Advertiser.
WASHINGTON, Nov. Fl, 1877.
The vote in the Senate this afternoon on Mr..
Thurmaus motion for an executive session was by
all odds the most important and significant OF the
session, and shows the political situation Is ex-
ceedingly critical. The democrats are playing a
bold game for control of the Senate and are with
in two votes of success. Under the apparently
harmless guise of a motion to discharge the COM
mitee of privileges and elections from the consid
GRAFTON of the Butler case, movement has begun
which, if successful. will transfer the political con-
troll of the Senate and the entire leg lsative branch
of the government to the democrats. The pro-
ceedings OF the last two days and the vote OF tins
afternoon gives color to the current report that
arrangement has been effected bv which Messrs.
Patterson and Conver VIII both vote with the dem
ocrsts and admit Butler TO the vacant seat from
South Carolina. This done, motion to swear IN
kustis would follow, aud re-entorced by the two,
Spoiford could be admitted and a ma orty of the
Senate secured The discussion preceding the
vote this afternoon was legal and technical IN Its
character, and principally devoted TO presidents
aud the course of the committee on privileges and
elections in managing cases committed to them.
Messrs. w adlelgh, Mitchell and Hoar represented
the committee, and made good defence against
the charges that they had been derect or diiatory
in any OF the cases entrusted TO them. Senator
lloars motion to lay the matter on the table was
just about to be voted on, when MIR. Thurman. as.
pertaining that Patterson was absent and Conover
uncertain, made the flank movement of an sxecu-
tive session. On this roll call, Davis of Illinois,
| as had been expected, voted with the democrats.
| and Conover, rs had been feared, did likewise,
| and the m ton prevailed by one vote. Every
| senator except Patterson and Sharon was present
or accounted for and The result indicates q long
bitter and partisan struggle, OF which the issue is
uncertain. Six pairs were announced-Mcssrs.
Anthony, Blaine, Edmunds, Cameron of Wiscon-
sin, Ferry and Plumb, republicans, with Messrs.
Ransom, Grover, Cockrell Herman, Maxcy and
Armstrong. democrats
Mr.. Thurman's purpose to-day was manly to
gain time, and in this Conovers aid secured him
success. The matter will come up to morrow
unfinished business, and should Senator Hoar's
motion to table be defeated by the aid of Patter-
son and Conoyer the expectation is that an i'm
mediate motion will be made to swear in Butler,
which the republicans, both on the merits OF the
and from the consequences involved, will re-
sst to the utmost of their ability.
Butler, Eustis and Spotford we're all on the floor
of the Senate during the proceedings The situa-
ton this evening Is recognized on all sides rs un-
usually grave, and despatch has been sent to
Senator Blaine, asking him to retarn at once, il
possible. His pair with Senator Grover will con-
tnue, but his assistance in debate is desired.
Should Thurmsns motion to discharge the COM
mittee be defeated to morrow, the report on kel
logg's case will be made in few days, and with
Kellogg in, and for whose admission Patterson
and Grover are expected to vote, it is believed
that Eustis and Butler can be kept out. and the
republican control of the Senate retained. The
democrats will of course antagonlze all motions
looking to seating Kellogg, and will delay his adj
mission AS long as possible. There is some South
Carolina Conservative opposition, and member of
Senator Pattersons family ststes to- night that an
effort will be made to detaln him IN court to NOR
row. 10 prevent his attending the Senate and voting
IN favor Of Ihuiman's resolution upon the ques
II ION of Buffers right to seat in the Senate.