The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1882-03-21

dropping reporter had concealed
himself within the chamber. Sen
atorial dignity even stopped to
look under the seats in the report
er's gallery. OF course, no intrud-
ing reporter was discovered, and
the Senate was convinced that
none save those legally entitled to
be present heard the proceedings.
Notwithstanding this precaution,
the newspapers continued to pub
lish full reports of the secret ses-
sions. including the expedition to
and search of the galleries. After
a day or two's talk over the mat
ter it dawned on the Senatorial
mind that Mr.. Edmunds had, in
fact, discovered the method of
leaking. by the search he had in
stituted. He had compelled the
Senators to demonstrate that the
only way in which the secrets got
out was by some Senator telling.
He was not willing to stand up in
the Senate and intimate that the
Senators gave away executive Sc
crets but he compelled the Senate
to show itself that the body con-
tanned leaks.
Another recent nomination of
the Presidents that has created a
good deal OF stir in certain circles
is that of Pinchback for Surveyor
of Customs for the port of New
Orleans. A lot of people here aid
in Louisiana have been very much
agitated over this appointment
and kilograms have poured in pro-
testing against his confirmation.
1t is an Office which Pinchback
has been very anxious to secure,
and which would give him great
hold on the colored vote of that
section. Two years ago his name
was sent in for the same position
under an understanding said to
have been had with Secretary
Sherman, but President Hayes
when his attention had been called
to the nomination he had made,
withdrew the name and Pinch
back went home in no small dadg-
leon to Louisiana, and was a pro-
nounced Stalwart from that time.
His present selection, it is under
stood, was at the suggestion Of
Senator Kellogg and is the inaug-
uration of an effort TO solidify the
colored vote of the State. Pinch
back is wealthy and a keen poll
tlcisn and his appointment in con-
nection with that of Senator Ken
nedy, another colored man, to the
position of inspector of money Or
der postoffices in Louisiana is re-
garded as very shrewd and i'm
portant one from a political point
of view.
Since the apportionment bill
passed there has been a good deal
of figuring on the probabilities of
the next electoral college as well
as the complexion of the next
Congress. BY the terms of the
new law the electoral college will
consist of 401 members, instead of
369 as in the old college, and a
successful candidate must have
pol votes, instead of the memo
rable 185. Dakota is likely to
become a State before the next
Presidential election, in which
case the college will contain 4O4
members and majority will re-
quire 203 votes. In the elections
of the last decade the sixteen
Southern States cast 1873 electoral
votes, in the next they will cast
162. Assuming that Dakota will
at that time rank as State and be
Republican in politics, and that
the South will still be '.solid" the
Democrats figure that just so ad-
ditional votes will be necessary
for them. But from the present
outlook they had better not count
very largely upon the solidity of
the South in the next election.
But by the way, since it is bccom-.
| ing so common for nresidents and