The Evening critic., 1881-08-25

esteemed contemporary the Republican. In
this instance our attention has been drawn
to the able editors idiosyDcracy by his
comments and suggestions touching the or
ganization of the Senate next winter, in
case the Vice-President should be called to
the Presidency. In that sadly probable
event the situation at noon on the first
Monday in December will be as follows:
The Senate, without Presiding Officer or
Secretary, and with two seats waiting for
their occupants to be sworn in, will be
called to order by the Chief Clerk. Then
some Senator will present the credentials of
the two senators elect from New York, and |
move that the oath Of Office be admins
tered to them. Here, of course, will arise
ain opportunity for strategy on the part of
the Democrats, who will have clear vote
'of 81, not counting Judge Davis, or exactly |
half the then sitting body, which will num-
Der only "a.
Here is where the bessedncss of the able
p cditor's estimate of human nature begins to
assert itself, in his assumption that the
Democrats will courteously waive their ad-
vantage of circumstances and complete the
forces Of their rantagonists before entertain
ing any other business. This, to one en-
loving more or less Democratic acquaintance,
would seem quite roscate enough for the
unprotected eye to survey without incon-
yenience; but it by no means exhausts the
glad fcrvor of the able editors fancy. On
the contrary he proceeds to point out how
the 81 truly good Democrats, after waving
their initial command of the situation, are
to hcap benefaction upon blessing by assist
ing the 81 Republicans to choose one of
their own number President of the Senate! T!
We regret that the able editor should
have halted at that interesting point There
was no necessity for halt, except the ma
terial limitations of editorial space or the
muscular conditions that govern the manual
toll of pen-driving; for our acquaintance
with the able editor compels us to scout
the thought that his supply Of faith in
human nature could have given out. Not
that oh, no! The wcll-springs of the able
cditors's faith in human nature, arc, as the
widows cruise, miraculous. i.N
Let us, therefore, project the able editors
plan: After swearing in the two Republi'
can Senators and electing Republican
just as easily, and quito consistently, invite
the Republicans to be good enough to name
q Secretary rice Burch, deceased. Then, in
order that there might be no unseemly di-
vision of spoils, to give the transaction sem.
blance of bargain or trade, the Democrats
might say Messrs. Republican Senators
there is the Sergeant-at-Arms Chief Clerk
and Executive Clerk, whom you have in
your hurry overlooked. We await your
your distinguished wishes in those premise:
at your earliest convenience"
But, though this may seem to be goot
deal for once, it is by no means all. Afte
the millennial organization proposed by thu
able editor had been carried to the above-sug
gcsted paradisaical stage, there would still
,rcnain opportunity for Democratic waiver o
all pretensions touching the Organization o
the committees, which they would be bound
to do in order to avoid the imputation of ,
desire to revolutionize the Government.
So much for the able editor Now for
= trihe Of horse sor-e ,E.tt
e is neither explicit law, defined Gus
tom or even analogous precedent to guild
Senators in the situation in which the.
would find themselves next Decembe
should the Vicc-President succeed to tn
Presidency. The ground to be traverse
will be new ground; in some respects a
new and as unexplored as if til
Senate were convening for the frs
time. OF course, as the able editor says
the exigency must be met in q patriot
spirit of accommodation and compromise
that there must be yielding and a willing
ness to sacrifice party opportunity to tn
public veal. Very true. The able edito
suggests much yielding in the course o
his observations But we notice that hi
programme imposes the whole burden @
that patriotic duty upon the Democrats
We detect no arrangement for Republica
"yield This is unfortunate, but not un
natural. The able editor is what is calle
q Stalwart Republican, and the sole dogm
of what is called Stalwart Republicanism
that the Government belongs in fee to tn
Republican party and that Democrat ha
no rights that Republican is bound to re
spect, whenever the aforesaid Republica
can got an advantage.
IL grieves us to be constrained to advis
the able editor that he is not likely to wit
ness any naturalization Of his rare an
beautiful imagery The Senate will ur
doubtedly organize and proceed. to bushes
The impossibility of electing a partisan {
either party to succeed Burch AS Secretar
will probably impel an agreement and tn
unanimous choice of the present tinancii
clerk, Il. b. Nixon, esq, than whom there
no more faithful public servant nor true
gentleman living. We have heard this gu,
gested by Senators of both parties, and W
presume it will be the mode adopted to Sc
tie the !Secretaryship. But in respect to I'll
Presidency of the Senate and the organic
tion of the committees, we think sever
plans will receive consideration besides til
balmy one set forward by the able editor
our esteemed contemporary.
THE INDIANAPoLIs Journal very hnel
says that the test ofa grand character is on