The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-10-29
THE SENATE.
A Deadlock Over the Lynchburg Post
nastership.

mastership.
WASHINGTON, Oct. IS.
Senate remained in open session but half an
hour. Immediately after going into executive
session Senate resumed the contest lover the
nomination of Clifford Stratham to- be Post
master at Lynchburg, Va. Hill took the floor
in opposition to the confirmation, and spoke
for two hours. The debate was then contin-
ued by Morgan. Morrill,, Hoar, Sherman and
others at great length, discussion running sub
stantially upon the same lines of argument as
Yesterday The political feature of the case
and importance attached toits probable bear
ings upon the result of impending election in
Virginia were however more openly expressed
and distinctly emphasized. Speeches were in
terspersed with o number of roll calls on mo-
lions to adjourn and other dilatory proceed
ings, and also diversified by spirited colloquy
between Logan and Voorhees, as to which of the
two had heretofore shown himself the better
friend of Union soldiers.
a bout 6 o'clock in the evening vote on the
motion to adjourn disclosed the fact that no
quorum was present and a call of the Senate
was ordered. All proceedings were then sus-
pended while the Sergeant-at-Arms' deputies
engaged in hunting up and bringing in access
sible absent members. Soon after9 O'Clock up
wards of fifty members were present in the
Senate chamber, but when vote was taken
upon another motion to adjourn it was found
less than quorum responded to the call as
large number of them were paired with Sena-
tors still absent.
At half past 10 O'Clock business was still sus-
pended, with no indications of any speedy
break Of the deadlock. 1t was learned, how
ever, that call for Republican caucus had
been issued for tomorrow morning, which
seems to render improbable that the present
contest of endurance between the two parties
will be prolonged throughout the night. 1t is
conjectured that the motive of the
dissuade certain Republicans from abandoning
the present struggle by leaving the city for
their respective homes. lie is privately argued
by these Republicans that any advantage ex-
pected to be obtained by the confirmation of
Stratham IS nomination can just as we'll be Sc
cured by his appointment by the President i'm
mediately after adjournment of the Senate
sine die, and as the Democrats threaten to pre-
vent final action upon the question OF confirma-
ton until after vacation on the Sth prox., it is
concluded that persistence in an attempt to
confirm the nomination may entirely sacrifice
the principal benefit indicated and prove worse
than useless.
At II o'clock the Senate directed the Ser
geant-at-Arms to request the attendance OF
Senators, whether in or absent from Washing
ton. kilograms were accordingly sent by
Bright to about 20 Senators, at their respec-
tive homes, VINO have paired and left Wash
ington.
100 a. m.-There are no indications, as yet,
of adjournment. Senators Bayard and Vest
have made speeches, the latter intimating an
intention on the part of the Democrats to
stand firm and prevent the Republicans from
securing the nolitical advantage sought to be
obtained in Virginia by the appointment of
Strathem.
IA. m.-The Senate is still in session, with
no prospect of adjournment.
Senator elect Window went to the Senate
yesterday afternoon in response to sum mons
that his presence was desirable and that res
olution would probably be introduced to ad-
minister the oath to him. This was deemed
advisable by the Republicans in order that a
majority might be maintained dispite any effort
of the democrats to deprive Senator Edgerton
of his vote.
Before a monitor wassmade. however brief,
conference was held by certain Republicans
and Democratic Senators, in which the latter
agreed not to make any point against Edger-
administered to his successor. Resolution was
abandoned