The Evening critic., 1881-09-16
nhodc leland scnatorship.

The vacancy caused in the United States
Senate, by Gen. Burnside's death, occurs Mt
a critical juncturc, in view Of the peculiar
condition of national affairs at this moment
The responsibility of providing for the
emergency dcvolves upon Gov. Littlefeld,
and there are two alternatives open to
him-one to appoint Senator 10 serve until
the regular session Of the Legislature in
January next and the other to call an extra
session ut once and thus have the question
definitely settled There are difficulties in
adopting the first plan, such as the re-
luctance of men who could fill the position
crcditably to take the place for such short
time and risk the chance of election
for the balance Of the term also the cm-
barrassmcnt ofchoosing among so many who
are of good standing in the party and at
the same time his (the govcrnor's) per-
sonal friends. This leads many who have
been spoken to on the subject to surmise
that he will adopt the other course
and summon the General Assembly,
the only objection to which, in
the minds Of many, Is. that it will cost the
State about $4,000. The governor, who was
friend Congressman Aldrich, the leading
candidate for the vacancy, stated that he
would not give the matter any considera-
tion until the last sad offices are paid to the
dead Senator, but Immediately after that
his decision would be made.
The general belief now Is that the va
cancy will be filled by Mr.. Nelson w. Aid
rich, one of Rhode Islands present Con-
grcssmen. Mr.. Aldrich's friends claim 20
out of the present membership of the Legis-
lature, which is 1OS.
Mr.. Aldrich, who served on the District
Committee In the last Congress, seemed to
be the favorite Yesterday, although many
were of the opinion that fora young man he
had received about all the honors which he
was entitled to for the present,and that there
were Others including Ex-Governor G. G.
Van Zandt, Mr.. George Peabody Wctmore,
Mr.. w. +. Sayles, Colonel William Goddard,
of the house of Brown 4 Ives, ex-
Gov. Henry Howard, Mr.. Rowland G. Haz-
ard, and Mr. William p. Sheffield who,
having borne the burden in the heat of the
day, were entitled to any Office in the gift
of either the Governor or of the Legislature.
gentleman who is interested in the sue
cess of Gov. Lippitt, in the course of q long
conversation, said: "The man whose
name is attracting the most attention
at this time is Mr.. Aldrich, who has
got his political preferment in Rhode
Island easier than any man of the
present generation. Why. although but
ABOUT 30 years OF age, he has been men,
Der of the Providence city council, presi-
dent of the common council, member and
speaker of the house of representatives, and
last year was elected as successor to Mr..
Benjamin T, Eames, who was dropped in the
most summary manner, the politicians hav-
ing ignored him because he refused to pay
the legitimate expenses of his previous
campaign. He (Mr. Aldrich) takes
kindly to politics, and 10 very popu-
lar. He is politically smart, and you will
remember that he had the credit of carry
ing the State Convention in favor of Blaine
delegates to the Chicago Convention. / have
no doubt that Mr.. Aldrich's election to the
Senate would be approved by Mr.. Anthony,
who has always taken great interest In
the young mans welfare, and he would,
therefore, have the support of the Senator's
paper, which. as you know, is power in
this little State.r o a,75 -