The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-05-16
SHREWO WORK BY REPUBLICAN LEADERS,
The Control of the Illinois Legislature Sc
cured and the Election of a Republican
senator Assured.

By one of the shrewdest political
schemes ever recorded, the status OF |
the Illinois Senatorial contest and the |
political complexion of the Legislature
have been completed. The change
was Brought about 50 successfully and
secretly that every one except a few OF
the Republican managers, was taken by
surprise. Early in the struggle Repre-
sentative Logan died. AS his district
was OVERWHELMINGLY Republican, the
Democrats made scarcely any contest
at the polls, and the gap in the Repub-
lcan ranks was filled by a staunch Lo-
gan man. The next death was that of
Representative Shaw, a Democrat, who
had been elected by about 1000 ma
jority. Considering the district safe,
the Democrats paid little attention to
the election of a successor, the Repub-
icans having made no nomination.
The colleague of the deceased Repre-
sentative was away with the New Or
leans junketing expedition. Morrison
had gone to Washington to mend his
fences and secure patronage to help
him out. The Legislature was wasting
its time with barely quorum. At this
junctnre Long" Jones, the Chairman,
and Dan Shepherd, the Secretary, OF
the State Central Committee, put their
heads together and decided upon a
coup d'etat. BY curious coincidence
the room used by Col. Morrison while
at Springfield, as his headquarters was
the one selected for the Republican
secret conferences. Private adviccs
were sent to leading Republicans in
every county ofthe Thirty fourth Legs
lative District. Workers in every pre-
cinct were informed of the scheme, and
then the ploter5 sat down to await
events. 1t was Il bold scheme to at
tempt to steal Il Democratic district
and overcome 1000 ma jOrity, but It's
very audacity carried it through.
The election came off on Wednes-
! day the 9th inst, and during most of
the day was a tame affair. Many
prominent Democratic leaders were out
of the district others did not think it
worth while to vote and Leeper, the
Democratic candidate, did almost no
electioneering, he having no opponent
visible to the naked eye. About I
O'Clock in the afternoon, however, the
scene changed, Republicans lounged
up to the polls by tens and scores, and
at given signal began depositins
written ballots for A. NJ. Weaver, an
insurance agent, of Nienarl County
| The plans of the leaders were well laid
and everything moved like clockwork.
The Democrats were not given time to
recover from their surprise, and when
the polls closed Republican Repre-
sentative had been elected from dis
trict having a normal Democratic ma
jority of 1000 votes. The secret was
wonderfully well guarded and few Re
publicans and no Democrats in Spring
field had any knowledge OF the work
that was being done. According to
the latest returns the Republican ma
| Jorlty IS ABOUT 500. Inc democrats
conCede the loss of the district
ibis breaks the tie in the House and
puts the Republicans in control of both
branches of the Legislature by ma,
jority of one in each. 1t disposes of
Morrison as a Senatorial possibility, as
the Republicans will now have a ma
jority of two on joint ballot. instead of
the two parties being evenly balanced
as hitherto The election of Gen. Lo-
gan is probable, but not certain. as
there are one or two Republican kickers
| who NAV hold out