Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-08-09
Prom the New York Times.

III pOItAuCC VI Tie MAJ NOnSHCcDs
Political interest in the present canvass
viii naturally be absorbed to a very large
extent in the election of President and
Vice President, but the importance Of the
elections and of the choice
IF Legislatures which are to name United
States Senator'S should not be overlooked.
Should republican President be elected,
which there is every reason to anticipate.
it will be a matter Of great moment to the
country that the national Legislature
should act in harmony with him. Only
can valuable results be secured in
the carrying out Of policies demanded for
the well-being Of theeountry. The pres
ent administration. in addition to other
difficulties, has had as adverse majority
to contend with in Congress. and the most
it could hope to accomplish in regard to
Legislation has been to prevent mischief.
Since the democrats have had control Of
absolutely no progress has been
made which they could hinder, and vital
questions are still awaiting action which
should have been dealt with long ago.
Not only have they prevented important
Legislation. but they have been able to
embarrass the execution of existing laws
by their control over appropriations. The
tour years following the next fourth Of
March ought tn witnessa marked progress
in the legislation of the country and the
settlement of controversies which will be
a source of disturbance so long as they
exist. With a republican statesman in
the executive chair, supported by a re-
publican Congress. there would be better
reason than we have had for a long time
for hoping that the questions which are a
heritage of the war and reconstruction
period would be permanently settled; and
proper attention to the Congressional can
vass ought to secure this result.
The Senate at present consists of 80 re-
publicans, - democrats, and l independ-
emit The terms of 70 of the 76 Sen
ators expire next March. Of these, II
are republicans and II democrats. In
every case except that of Mr.. Bruce.
OF Mississippi. the republicans are
reasonably certain of being sue
ceeded by men OF the same party.
They are Messr5. Booth, of California;
of Maine; Dawes OF Massachu-
sets: Baldwin of Michigan; Mcmillan
of Minnesota; Paddock, of Nebraska;
Sharon of Nevada; Burnside. of Rhode
chosen as his own sue
cessor; Edmunds of Vermont, and Cam
eron, of Wisconsin. Seven of the out
going democrats are certain of
successors, counting Gen.
of Virginia, in that catego-
ry. These are Bayard, of Delaware ::
Whyte, of Maryland-successo already
Cockrell, OF Missouri Bailey, OF
Tennessee; Maxey. of Texas; Withers OF
Virginia, nd Hereford, Of West Virginia
No account is taken of Alabama and Geor-
gia, where vacancies are to be filled
caused by the death of Mr.. Houston and
the resignation Of Gen. Gordon. The
successor of Mr.. Thurman, OF Ohio. has
already been chosen in the person Of Gen.
Garfield. and il he should become Presi-
dent, republican would be sure to take
his place. This leaves six seats regarding
which there is more or less doubt. They
are now occupied by Eaton of Connect
cut. Jones of Florida; Mcdonald of Indi-
ana. Randolph OF New Jersey; Herman OF
New York. and Wallace. of Pennsylvania.
II the republicans could gain them all they
would have bare majority of 80 to 81.
II they lose one there will be tie. and
if more than one, of course. the majority
will be against them. and it will take an
other two years to complete the change.
With the House the prospect is better.
1t now contains 100 republicans. l49 dern-
ocrats. and IA who were elected as Ma
tionals." or greenbackers. The green
back movement reached its elimination
in voting power in 1873. and there is
small chance of its finding repre-
sentation in the next Congress ex-
cept by fusion with democra-
CIV. The normal effect of such fusion will
be to send those who were formerly re-
publicans back to the party to which they
originally belonged. The republicans
will have to gain Il districts in order to
have a majority in the House. There is
every reason to expect a much larger gain
than this. The party has given evidence
of increased voting strength in most OF
the Northern States in the last two years.
and the Presidential canvass is calculated
to bring out "A large vote. Its effect in the
Congressional districts is likely to be
more or less closely proportional to the
State votes for Presidential Electors. In
the Southern States there are many dis
tricts now represented by demo rats which
contain an undoubted majority of republ-
can voters. Two years ago. when they
were elected. the republicans were in a
very depressed and discouraged condition
in that section, and scarcely made an eff