New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-17
GENERAL POLITICAL NEWS.
THE PENNSYLVANIA sENAroRsHIp.

~ ~@A' OA<t A'(h - ~' ~S-' -
THE PENNSYLVANIA sENATORsHIP.
A PROPOSITION TO TAKE MORE TaAN ONE BALLOT
A DAY-AN OFFER OF COMPROMISE FROM TIE
BEAVER REPUBLICANS MET BY A COUNTER
OFFER.
fBr TELEGRAPH 70 THE TRrBUSEi
HARRISBURG, Feb 18.-A spirited debate occurred
in the legislative Convention to-day, which was
listened TO and frequently applauded by . crowded
house. Under a resolution adopted last week Moth
ing 10 order during the sessions Of the Conyen-
tion except ballotng and motions for adjournnent
or recess. The result was to cause adjournmens
usually after taking ballot. Senator Cooper, Of
Delaware County. the parliamentarian of the Caucus
Republicans moved to rescind the rule at :hs after
moons session so that he might offer q resolution
providing for more ballots aud looking to an early
breaking of the deadlock lie read tue resolution
which he proposed to offer. as follows:
That at the sitting Of the Joint Convention tomorrcy
least Ave ballots shall be ordered or manv without
ss may Ss reaSrsd 70 and that tnsn
ourn any sitting where less than Ave ballots have been
taken.
Senator Cooper in advocating the adoption Of his
resolution, claimed that combination bad been
formed betwesn Republican minority and soma
of the Democrats to defer the election of United
States Senator until after March A, to deprive Re-
publicaus of the organization of the United States
Senate, and he called upon his colleagues to prevent
1t by adopting his proposition. It's stringent pro-
visions, however. called forth sweeping criticisml
from the Independents 1t was led of in q brllisnt
speech by Senator Stewart who attacked the resolu
ton as an effort to establish an arbitrary rule and
who said he had failed to see how it could accom-
plish anything. II they were to grow old dropping
empty buckets into empty wells and drawing moth
ing out. they might well do it in the manner aud
form in which they had been proceeding
for the last four weeks. He did not ap-
prehend that q multiplicity of ballots could
solve the difficulty. and as there was nothing now
to prevent any number OF ballots the only object OF
the resolution would be to suppress the individual
preferences of the body. He anxious TO reachsa
conclusion but he did not think Republican
Senator could be elected by terrorism, iu-
proper restraint undue restriction but it should
be accomplished BY spirit of conciliation and COM
promise to be extended even to those who had de-
fed the Capitalization Of party. The Independents
were not outlaws to be prescribed. but they were to
be met as an integral part of the Republican party,
with rights to be respected and with right to ex-
press their preferences.
Senator Stewards remarks were greeted with
great enthusiasm, the applause lasting for some
time, after which Representatives Wolfe. Ruddiman
and others opposed the Cooper resolution. which
was generally regarded by them as trap
to catch the Independents. Senator Alexan-
der, from the Democratic side said he.
for one, was willing to untie the knot,
and favored the resolution. Representative Myers,
of Venapoo made vehement speech In which he
said the independents were acting like banditti.
The debate, which was quito exciting. was cut on
by adjournment The twenty-ninth ballot
showed no material change in tho
situation and resulted as follows: Beaver.
70: Bayne, 81; Wallace, "a; Scodeld, 2;
and Shiras, Hewitt, Curtin. Ruddiman and Phil
| lips 1 ca cb. Immediately after adjournment Sem
ator McNeil, one Of the supporters Of General Bea.
yer. sent proposition for compromise to Senator
Lawrence, chairman of the Independent caucus. IL
| suggested that each side appoint a committee OF
| twelve to meet and select three candidates whose
names should be presented and voted for on first
ballot tomorrow. the one having the highest num-
Der of votes to be considered the choice Of al Res
publ an me mbers aud be elected at an adjourned
meeting of the Convention to be held tomorrow
evening. The proposition was discussed but not
tonight. and counter-propOsltion mado
by Senator Lee was adopted as follows: commit
tee OF twelve to be elected by the supporters or
General Beaver q like committee to be elected by
the supporters Of Colonel Bayne; these committees
to meet IN Joint conference. and bv three-fourths
vote to select candidate and upon the approval Of
such candidate by the bodies ss
venton by those approving such election; This
has been forwarded TO the Beaver men and their
action is now awaited by the other side who ara
not willing they say, to take any chances of being
debarred from having o voice ID tue election or
Senator 1t is thought that the work Of compromise
having been begun the deadlock will soon be broken.