The National tribune., 1885-05-28
LOGAN'S VICTORY.
The Long Contest Over the Illinois Senatorship
Ended.

On the 10Th the Senatorial contest in the Illi-
nois Legislature, which was one Of the most
lengthy on record and marked by the utmost
determination on the part of both Democrats
and Republicans to elect their man, was brought
to close by the triumph of Gen. John A. Lo-
gan When the joint session of the Legislature
convened there was tremendous crowd, both
on the floor and in the galleries of the House, it
being generally understood that decisive vote
would be reached that day. There were pres
ent 81 Senators and 1913 Representatives. The
Republican Senators all voted for Logan, CIV
ing him 26 votes. When the name of Sitteg
DEM was called, he made a speech Of some
length, after which he voted for Gen. Logan,
under protest, giving him 103 votes. The
announcement was received with the widest
cheers. The Democrats voted s0lidly for Judge
Lambert Tree After the roll-call number of
Democrats changed their votes to Charles B.
Farwell (Rep.), in the hopes of getting some
Republican votes, but the scheme did not work
Barry (Dem.) changed his vote to John A. Lo-
gan, which insured his election. The roll-call
was proceeded with after time, the Demo-
Gratis attempting to elect Farwell, Republican,
hoping to get some Republican votes. Barry
withdrew his vote from Logan, but stated that
he would not allow any other Republican than
Logan to be elected.
No Republican support went to Farwell, and
Speaker Haines finally announced the vote,
Senator.
Upon the announcement of the vote there
were loud calls for Logan, who was conducted
to the Speakers chair and spoke as follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REP
REsENTATIvEs OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS: ! con-
graduate you on having brought to a conclusion
this most remarkable contest which has been going
on for nearly four months. have no words to
press my gratitude to the Representatives of this
great State Of Illinois for the compliment they
have paid me to-day. Having been elected for the
third time to represent this great State in the SEN
ate of the United States, hope have acted and
deported myself in the position before as TO bring
no discredit upon myself, my party, my State and
my country. My past history is the only guaran-
tee l can give for my future course From the
deepest recess of my bosom 1 again thank you for
the honor you have conferred upon me. There is
no position on earth which could be more crafty
ing than to represent this great State.
In this contest, MIR. Speaker and gentlemen,
which has been an unusually close and heated one,
am proud to state that nothing has TRANSFERRED to
mar the friendly relations existing between myself
and my worthy opponent. For 30 years this gen.
tleman and myself have been friends, and trust
will always continue such. Loud cheers I believe
there has never been contest between two
persons waged more earnestly for their parties
than this and yet the mutual relations remain
pleasant 1 respect Mr.. Morrison politically and
socially, and am proud TO say are friends, and
sincerely hope we may ever be friends. (Cheers.
AS to the other gentleman who was my opponent
for time can say nothing against him, nor would
want to. MIR. Tree and myself lived neighbOrs
for many years in Chicago, and have always had
the highest respect for him. He made as good
contest-coming late in the field and being little
short of votes-as he could make. For him have
nothing but respect. In conclusion, gentlemen,
desire TO say that no matter what may have occurred
during the contest, il has been carried in spirit
of fairness. No such contest has ever been known
in this country before and it has appeared strange
to me that there has been little excitement and
bitterness exhibited.
1 leave here having no bitter feeling towards any
one who may have opposed me- j respect a man
who will stand by his creeds and his friends and
expect more from others than is accorded to me.
If go to Washington, do not 60 there with any
fire burning in my bosom, a feeling of antag
onism to any party or the present administration.
The contest over the Senatorship has lasted
since the early part of February. The Legisla-
ture at the outset was a tie on joint ballot, the
Republicans having a majority of one in the
Senate and the Democrats of one in the House.
The balloting began on February 10, and was
continued from time to time without result I'M
til the election of Gen. Logan. The deadlock
was prolonged by the death during the session
Of q Democratic Senator and two members of
the House, one Republican and one Democrat.
The latter died April IL, and though his dis
trict was strongly Democratic, the Republicans
three weeks later succeeded in electing his
successor, which gave them 103 votes, the num-
Der required by the Constitution, and enabled
them to bring the contest to a close.