The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-10-07
a New Phase of the Case.

There is every prospect for lively times
in California and it is altogether likely
that the newly elected state senators will
not find it all plain sailing to retain their
seats. The Chicago Times refers to the
matter and gives an outline of the old
organic law as follows;
1.-THE old organic law of California con-
stituted the state senate with forty MEM
bers, having a fixed term of four years.
one-half the seats being re6lled every two
years, The new organic law, adopted last
spring. retains the constitution of the .sen-
ate, but does not provide that those mem
bers of the senate under the old organlza-
ton who were elected in 1877 shall retain
their seats under the new organization.
The new law, on this point, is said 20 be
ambiguous; but the governor, in discharg-
ing the duty imposed on him by the new
law, construed the language as meaning
that the old senate was dissolved and an
entirely new senate should be chosen at
the first election held under the new con-
stitution. Accordingly, he called for an
election of forty senators. His construction
of the law, and his action calling for the
election of forty senators, were approved
aud ratified by the electors, who, at the
September election, returned an entirely
new senate, One only OF the old senator's
whose term under the old constitution had
not expired, was returned. Another one
of them is dead, There are eighteen 9TH
ers, elected in 1877 for the term OF tour
years. that by this action OF the electors
under the new organic law have been
dropped out of political life two years
before their time. These eighteen unhap-
by statesmen now propose to join issue
agsinst the men sent up by the electors to
take their places and hold on to their seats
until the expiration of the four years fer
which they we're chosen under the Old
organic law.
The party divisions among the eighteen
old claimants and the eighteen new claim
ants are essentially different. Of the old
claimants twelve are professors of demo-
cratism and six of republicanism, Of the
new claimants, twelve are professors OF
republicanism, three of democratism, and
three of Kearneyism. On the question
whether the old claimants or the new
claimants shall be admitted will depend
the party divisions in the senate. 1t the
old claimants hold on, the senate will con-
sist of II members styled republicans, 10
styled democrats, and styled working
men. If the new claimants gee in, the
SGudLo Will CODSlSb Vi 80 IL
workingmen (Kearneyitesl; and 2 demo-
Gratis.
Here is presented case for the exer
else of state rights. and it remains to be
seen whether the Republicans will sud
denly become converts to the doctrine oil
try the Louisiana tactics of clearing the
legislative halls at the point Of the bayo
net. ANY attempt to do so will unques
tionably meet with opposition and may
result in bloodshed, in which event We
will have the spectacle of the loyal state
of California in opposition to federal au
thority. If, however, it is left to thu
state to settle, the Republicans will sud
denly become state rights advocates anG
appear 10 the role of unfolding that which
they profess to oppose. The outcome will
be watched with interest.