St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-11
WHAT MAY HAPPEN.

The situation in which President CLEVE-
LAND finds himself by reason of the death
of the vice president will probably incite
him to take a more active interest in parti-
san politics than he has heretofore done.
He is already beginning to realize the vexa-
tious responsibilities of having senate in
the hands of the opposite party and with no
breakwater of a vice president between.
The Washington correspondent of the
New York World points out the
fact that President CLEVELAND
does not enjoy the good luck
of his predecessors in Office who were de-
prived of the services of the associate who
was elected on the same ticket. The cor
respondent recalls the fact that when Vice
President WILSON died in 1875 the senate
was strongly Republican and Mr.. FERRY
of Michigan was its president pro tenn. and
so continued throughout Gen. GRANTS
second term. So it was with Gen. PIERCE
when Vice President KING died in 1852.
The presidents pro TEN. of the senate dur
ing PIERCE'S term were all of the presi-
dents party; Mr.. ArcHIsoN of Mis-
souri,, Mr.. BRIGHT of Indiana, and
Mr.. MOORE of Virginia. But Mr..
CLEVELAND finds himself at the opening
of the first congress during his administra-
ton not only with a senate opposed to him
but a presiding officer who will be disposed
to help the body over which he presides to
throw obstacles in the way of the president
and to create as much janglng as possible.
On the 4th of March, 1887, the terms of
twenty-five senators will expire, sixteen of
them Republicans and nine Democrats. In
order to obtain a majority in the senate in
1887 it will be necessary for the Democrats
to carry fourteen out of the twenty-five
states where senatorial vacancies will
occur. They are absolutely certain of
eleven, to-wit: Delaware, Florida,
Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Mis-
souri,, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas,
Virginia and West Virginia. The Re
publicans are likewise sure of eleven.
The three doubtful states which will be
fought for by both parties will be Connecti-
cut, New Jersey and New York. If the
Democrats could carry these three doubtful
states, the senate of 1887 would stand, Dem
ocrats 80, Republicans 81. Leading poll
ticians at Washington do not hesitate to as
sert that the power of federal patronage is
sufficient to turn the tide and secure Dem
ocratic senate. 1t is only question
whether or not Mr.. CLEVELAND will be
disposed to use the means at his
disposal to help himself, 1t may
depend somewhat on the treatment
he receives this winter from the senate
whether he can be provoked into it or not.
If the senate gives him decent treatment in
the matter of confirming his appointments he
may be satisfied to let state politics drift
along without interference from him. If
he is treated in manner unbecoming the
dignity of his station it is altogether likely
that he will feel that it is due to his self
respect and the dignity of his office to take
hand in shaping the political complexion
of the next senate. He will have notable
precedent for doing so. Many of the SEN
ators who will retire in 1887 were chosen
when the Republicans had control of the
federal patronage and used it freely in Sc
curing their elections.