The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1881-09-28
Death OF United States Senator Burn
side.

Senator Burnside, of Rhode Island,
whose sudden death is reported this
morning, has been conspicuous in pub
lie life for twenty years. He was born
in Indiana May 90, 1924, and was ap-
pointed from that State to the Military
Academy at West Point. After gradu-
alton, in 1847, he served with credit in
the Mexican war. His residence in
Rhode Island was purely accidental.
arising from his invention of a breech-
loading fire arm, which proved to be
failure. When the civil war broke out
Mr.. Burnside was employed in the Illi-
nois Central Offices at Chicago, in COM
pany with George b. Mcclellan. Both
entered the army, Burnside having the
command of the First Rhode Island
Volunteer Regiment. He was at the
head of brigade in the first battle of
Bull Run; in charge of the expedition
to Newborn, and commander of the
left wing of the Union army at Antie-
tam. His command of the army OF
the Potomac was comparatively brief,
extending only from November z, 1862,
to January 2S, 1868. The cause of his
removal was the disastrous battle of
fredericksburg, December IS. 1862. 1t
was well understood, both before and
after the battle, that General Burnside
took the chief command reluctantly,
and had no great confidence in his own
military capacity. He continued to
serve through the war, resigning in
April, 1865, with the rank of Major
General.
Mr.. Burnside's political experience
was embraced in three annual terms as
Governor of Rhode Island, extending
from 1866 to 1868, inclusive, and one
full term as United States Senator, from
1875 to 1881. He was reelected
without opposition last winter for full
term of six years, and was consequently
Senator of the United States at the
time of his death. While not regarded
as a man of great abilities, he was rec
ognized as a faithful and honorable pub
slic servant. His moral character was
above reproach. His principles were
correct, and his demeanor atlable and
kindly. His name was identified in
Washington with bill providing forthe
introduction of all the cardinal virtues
into the District schools. He was high
ly esteemed in private life, and had q
good social position. both at the Capital
and in Rhode Island.
The death of Senator burnside cre-
ates third vacancy on the Republican
side of the Senate. Though the success
sors to Senators Conkling and Platt
have been chosen, their credentials have
not been passed upon. 1t is reported
that the Democrats will cause some
mock inquiry into the manner of their
election to be instituted with a view to
keeping them out until some reorgan-
iZation of the committees and of the Of
ficers of the Senate can be effected. II
President Garfield shall live this plan
will fall to the ground. Vice-President
Arthur will then have the casting vote
in the Senate as formerly. There would
be no object in such case for the Demo.
Gratis to delay the admission of the New
| York Senators, as the work of reorgan.
ization might be undone at any time.
But il Vice. President Arthur should be-
come President, the Senate would un-
! questionably pass into the control oi
the Democrats. The death OF Senator
Burnside complicates matters only in Sc
far as it deprives Senator Davis of his
easting-vote. However well disposed
he might be to hold an even balance
between the parties on the preliminary
organization, il would be impossible fol
him to do so without the vote of every
Republican, including Senator Burn.
side. If President Garfield lives, and
Vice-President Arthur is in the chair
the Vice-President himself may accept
the credentials of the two Senators
elect from New York and the Senator
appointed by the Governor of Rhode
Island 10 fill the vacancy caused by the
death OF MIR. Burnside. This bushes:
may precede the election of a Secre
tary, that Office being now vacant; anG
when the Senators have been admitted
proceedings to oust them must bt
wholly futile, as their credentials ar,
perfectly regular and undisputed. A
successor to Senator Burnside will b,
temporarily appointed by the Governor
of Rhode Island, and the vacancy viii
be permanently filed by the Legisla
ture, which meets in january Cbicdg,
Tribune SeDfeIlber IA