Year: 1872

In Connecticut, the election of United States
senator appears 10 create some unusual stir and
talk among those interested. The candidates
are Senator Ferry, whose term is about to ex-
pire. and General Joseph Il. Hawley of Hartford.
II became apparent, carly this week, that General
Hawlev would get the nomination; and this has
SCI in motion the democrats, who propose plan
for defeating Hawley in the legislature. They
will vote for Ferry against Hawley, provided
enough of Ferry's friends will join them TO
give the proposed alliance a majority of the
votes in joint convention. Yesterday, twelve
such republicans had entered into this arrange
ment, but its success will require twenty-five.
Yesterday morning, some OF the twelve gave
notice in the papers, that they should not at
tend the caucus, and that they intended to re-
serve themselves on the senatorial question.
Ferry and Hawley are both good men, well quail
ihed to do excellent service in the senate, and
worthy of the warm regard of their friends.
The senatorial question involves nothing but a
choice between them.


1t is amusing and curious to notice that some
of the earnest friends of Senator Ferry have as
sumed a very lofty and yirtuous tone in regard
to the caucus 1t is not easy to see how this
tone can be justified, for, in the present case,
the caucus means a formal consultation at
which every republican senator and representa-
tive can be present Every republican entitled
to vote in the legislature, can speak and vote in
in such caucus with unquestioned right. How
can there be anything improper in such a meet
ing for consultation and harmony And yet
such a meeting as this is actually denounced
Even Rev. DIR. Bacon, President Woolsey,
and ten other New Haven gentlemen,
have become participants in the struggle
and issued declaration against the caucus, in
this case, although they believe the caucus sys-
TEN useful "within proper limits" 1t seems tc
us that this remarkable demonstration, which
aims to have minority of the republican mem
bers of the legislature carry their point against
the majority, is a great deal worse than any
operation of the caucus system. 1t is method
of political management" which does not tend
to promote political purity and honor. We
hope it will not be recommended as political
reform, for reform which kills honor among
those associated for any purpose, should be
spurned.


The democrats, of course, mean nothing but
mischief They care no more for Ferry than
for Hawley. In fact, Hawley is liked by demo
Gratis as well as by republicans, on account O.
his personal qualities. Soon after the election
when it was thought that Ferry would b,
strongest among the republicans of the legisla
ture, some Of the democratic papers praiset
Hawley and suggested that the democrat
would vote for him. If Ferry could now b
nominated by the republicans, the democrat
would be very active in behalf OF Hawley, an
would undoubtedly propose a coalition wit
his friends TO defeat Ferry. We thin
however, that General Hawley won
not accept an election secured by SUE
a process. He has never seemed to lac
lively sense of honor, and this would not a
low him to engage in such conspiracy TO d
feat the regular nominee of his party. We al
not sure that Senator Ferry consents to be elec
ed in this way; but it is plain that some of hi
friends, in the legislature and out of it, hav
listened to the democrats and indicated d
position 10 treat honest recognition of part
obligation as something of no account 1t
certainly curious that very estimable men ca
talk as if it were vir1uous TO do this.