Year: 1866

We had hoped we were done with this noto-
r;ous individual, but the state of affairs in our
State cannot be represented without him, and
we must perforce bring him forward into pub
lie notice again. We may feel disgusted with
an infamous man of any kind, and feel unwil-
ling to discuss so unpleasant a subject as he
would be; but we cannot speak of the deed
without calling up the man, and so perforce
we must call up again James M. Scovel.


tits probably familiar to almost all of our
readers now, that the New Jersey Legislature
has adjourned without electing any United
States Senator in the place of MIR. John Stock
ton, who was declared ineligible BY the Sen
ate. In the merits of that case We feel very
little interest, except we are thus left without
any Senator at all TO represent New Jersey IN
the National councils, as Senator Wright is
too hopelessly i'll to ever really take his seat
again, at least for any purposes OF practical
legislation. Mr.. Stockton would have made a
good Senator, but as he cannot be one, the
State of New Jersey ought not to have been
left unrepresented. This want of representa-
ton is plainly to be attributed to the dishonor.
able course pursued by Mr.. Scovel. The de-
velopments which the progress of affairs have
made, have involved him more deeply with
each succeeding day in an appearance OF infa-
my for which, in the past, we believe New Jer-
sew has known no parallel. AS these facts,
one after another, arrayed themselves against
him. we waited for his explanations, hoping
that he might possess some means of showing
that he was not the dishonorable being which
the facts appeared to make him. But we have
waited in vain; explanations of most volumi-
nous character have been proffered, but SO far
we have failed to see anything in them except
words; which, unfortunately, are contradicted
by abundant and reliable testimony. Asser-
tons of purity are plentifully sprinkled by Mr..
s. over these explanations, but unfortunately,
again, this purity is the very thing that is
called in question, and his assertions are more
than controverted by the proof. That he was
elected as a Republican, no one denies; and
even Mr.. Scovel, SO prolific in denials, scarcely
attempts this. That he has obstructed the
legislation of the State by refusing to act with
his party unless they would make him their
chieftain, is also an undeniable fact. II is be-
leved now, beyond successful contradiction,
fnsu ne offered his vote and services to the op-
posite party, upon the same terms OF personal
ACKNOWLEDGMENT, provided his own party would
not accept him. 1t is a settled fact, also, that
we have no United States Senator in the place


Of rpfY, n
with his political associates upon any terms
which they could accept. Upon the election
of Mr.. Stockton, he declared in open Senate
that he had always been favorable to his re-
tention of the seat, and yet Mr.. Brink, mem
ber of the House last year, publishes letter
IN which he asserts that, in the presence of
legal gentleman of high position, Mr.. S. said
that there was no doubt of the illegality of the
election. Mr.. B. also points Significantly to
the fact that the name of Mr.. Scovel stands
sixth on the list of the Republican members
who formally and officially protested against
the admission of Mr.. Stockton. Proof is also
offered that on last winter he stated the same
sentiment to Mr.. Cattell, and called God to
witness that he would give him his support for
the Senatorship, whatever might be said to
he made the most violent opposition. Men
whom he has since nominated for the position,
he then denounced in the most violent terms;
and only three days after Mr.. Stockton was
declared entitled to seat Mr.. Scovel ex-
pressed publicly his regret, as this action
would prevent his voting for Mr.. Cattell. R.
B. Leeds, of Atlantic, and DR.. Horner, OF
Philadelphia, both testify, over Mr.: Scovel's
denial, that he stated to them that he had re-
ceiyed letter from President johnson offer
ing him any position he might claim, if he
would defeat the election of a radical from
New Jersey. The Union League of Camden
have become so well satisfied of his perfidy
that they have expelled him from their order.
So thoroughly imbued with sense of his un
worthiness has been each party, that nobody
even proposed to offer him the usual vote of
thanks at the adjournment of the Legislature.
The editor of the State Gazette openly charged
him with being bribed, and offered what he
considered the proof; and his only answer was
to force the editor from the floor of the Senate.
A member proposed a committee of investl-
cation into the charge, when the falsity could
soon have been demonstrated if it was false,
and Mr.. Scovel's manner of meeting it was to
cote against il; by his own vote preventing the
passage of the resolution. But enough has
already been shown to sadden any one over
the position our State is compelled to occupy
In consequence of the disgraceful conduct of
this man. We presume his career is now
ended. 1t is the rule with the Democrats nev-
er to trust man whom they have bought, and
the Republicans are not likely to trust him
again. He can be of no more use in further
ing the plans of politicians in Washington,
and they are always opposed to wasting any
ammunition on sdead ducks which is just now
the exact position occupied by Mr., Scovel; and
as gratitude is not supposed to form any part
of politicians creed, it is nst to be expected
that they will do anything for him there. The
remainder of his short political life will proba-
bly be unimportant either to his friends or
enemies, and the conspicuousness of position
which the circumstances have given him, will
never again be placed at his disposal. The old
proyerb that every dog has his day is here EN-
nbatically true; and Scovel has had his day
leaving behind strong impression of hydro
phobia, which reputation is sufficient to blast
the prospects of any dog. The most ne can
hope for is to be put out of his misery as
quickly as possible, by political knocking on
the head, and burial beyond the tide water
mark, as no party will allow him sepulture IN
the cemeteries of their adhesents. PeorJames
Poor James! Earning in few brief months
infamy enough to cover his whole ilfe' ne can
now retire upon his wealth, and find himself
unable even to spend the interest.


THE BRIDGETON BAND.


The question has frequently been asked Of
late, what has become Of the Bridgeton Band.
Professor Dorville, the leader, left for the