New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24
THE CONNECTICUT SENATORSHIP.

1'hcre are times when the State OF Connect
crt produces q vast amount Of politics TO the
acre. and this is one Of those times. IL began
,>ay3y }ass syDner with the preliminary can
vass for the nomination for GorerDor, Bnn
there has been scarcely an lnferD,sSlon OF Po-
lnical activity in the whole period SINCE Fro'n
the first the crop has been chiefly Republican,
for the excellent reason that the Democra's'
having no hope OF accomplishing anything,
never thought II worth while to 90 to work In
earnest The contest for delegates to the RepuD'
lican State Convention was conducted win
great earnestness in behalf OF Mr.. George r..
Lounsbury on one side and Mr John ADDISON
Porter on the other but for the most part with
ont any serious violation Of the amenities Mr.
Iounsbury won the nomination. and was elect
cd by an exceedingly handsome majority, TO-
gether with q Legislature OVERWHELMINGLY ne
publican in both branches. whose most impor-
tant function Mt the coming session Will De the
choice of United States Senator to succeed
General Hawley on March a. To that circum-
stance is due the prolongation on different lines
OF the political struggle, which otherwise would
have ended with the November election.
The question Of the Senatorship necessarily
attracted some attention during the State cam
palcn but all elements of the Republican party
were willing that II should be kept In the back
ground rs far as possible. During the last six
weeks it has inevitably come to the front. and
until II IS settled will remain there. IL there
WAS a somewhat prevalent opinion year ago
that General Hawey was likely TO be replaced
bv n new man in the Senate at the expiration
of his third term, it lost currency In conse-
oucncc OF considerations arising ont Of the war,
which Justly caused an even higher value to
be placed UPON the services Of the chairman OF
the Committee On Military Affairs than had
previously been assigned to them. General
Uawley's personal knowledge OF matters which
suddenly became OF momentous importance to
the country and the influence which long OK
pericnce at Washington had given him made
his usefulness conspicuous, enhanced his repu-
tation everywhere and confirmed his claim 10
the confidence and admiration Of his own State
For this reason it was generally assumed that
the election of Republican Legislature in Con-
nectcut would mean his return to the Senate
for fourth term
As we understand the situation. there Is no
serious doubt that this desirable result will in
due time follow the victory in November. hut
reDorts from Connecticut indicate that the OPP
position. whatever the extent Of it may prove
the second adjective would fit the case as ac-
curately with the change OF a single letter IS
not so clear Indeed ii is intmated that GER
tain recent professions Of conscientious hos
tilitv 10 Senator lIawley are not wholly uncon-
nected with the fact that the times have been
hard in Connecticut newspaper circles, and That
here and there a sufferer feels a keen desire
10 share in the rcvlvlng prosperity which 1t is
Nj. Measure TO record II this report does no
body an injustice II may account in part FOR
the continued confidence Of General llawlcy's
supnorters that he will be reelected without
much difficulty for ii would seem to Indicate
that his opponents had pretty nearly exhausted
their moral resources.
In any case. we hope the confidence Is we'll
founded Two years age Connecticut honored
itself and benefited Inc whole country by re-
turning Senator Plat for a fourth term and
there would be general regret II that commend
able precedent were not followed in the case
OF his distinguished colleague. Senator Hawley
has served his country with great ability and
fidelity in war and peace. and he is in the
very prime of his usefulness. The clrcum-
stances OF the time demand the retention in
public life of men possessing the Judgment, the
experience and the authority with which he
IS endowed