Year: 1873




Senator Carpenter was not present


at the State Republican Convention,


snd it is understood that he is doing


something in the way of sack-cloth


and ashes at bis home in Milwaukee.


Blu. he was the subject of much con-


versation, and the tone of the COM


meDts was about equal In SORROW and


in anger. Nearly all admitted, how


aver, that he was out Of the combat


as to the next Senatorial election.
Such fall as his is not often wit
messed. When he came home at the
close Of the last session of Congress,
notwithstanding he voted for the
sslary grab, he was the pet of two
thirds of the Republican party in the
State. Then he committed the almost
incoucsivabie folly Of the JsnesVille
speech, in which he defended not
only this steal, but also the Credit
Mobilier, thus putting himself for
ward as the champion of the two
most inherently bad measures, and,
sc the same time,-though not as 8
necessary consequence-the most un-
popular measure that ever created an
epidemic of Indignation in this coun-
try. While he was being awfully
lsshed by the press or the entire
Union for this, came the Long
Branch scandal, and the further rev.
Citations of his personal conduct.
There could only be one result from
such a combination Of circumstances,
no admiration for the talents of the
man could withstand It, and behold!
the idol Of the party has become its
scspe-gost. But there may be q
reaction from this condition Of public
sentiment; the second sober thought
OF the people may be that Carpenter
has suffered some. injustice in this
burst OF wrath that has been aimed
st him. Then it may occur to them
that iron his standpoint, which was
shst OF ar able lawyer who could
command ten thousand dollars for a
single tee, five thousand dollars ia not
a sufficient compensation for six
months service 1t may also occur
to them that having voted for the
increase of salary, there was a certain
manliress in standing up in defense
OF the measure when so many were
skUlldng. With these reflections
there may also come the thought that
a nan OF Websterian intellect is apt
to be subject to the Websterian vices,
which may inspire some share of the
charity that was always extended,
even by Puritan New England, to the
'godlike Daniel" 1t ia not meant
Oy this that Carpenter is the peer of
Webster, but his worst enemies will
admit thst he is a man of immense
brain, and there are few, if any, abler
lawyers or more DOW
,riul debsters in the Senate. Witness
rs reply to Sumner in the San Do
ningo business and his attack on the
Kellogg usurpation in Louisiana.
The latter effort, too, showed that he
5 capable Of an Independence OF
'arty discipline which is altogether
and desirable, because q
are quality in the Radical statesmen
# the day. II Mr.. Carpenter will do
Vhat is easily within his power to
10, if he viii, not Loganize, but make


manly and genuine reform of his
eraonal habits, it is possible that his
'u5iic career may not be finally
ermlnated at this early stage. When


say this do not mean that he can
'e his own successor in the Senate.
'led an event now seems quite i'm
'robabfe; but it is possible that at
ione time not in the remote future
Sc people of Wisconsin may restore
i'm to public position to enjoy once
2ore the pride which they have
ustly felt in being represented bya
aan who is go well fitted to attain
and influence in the ma
ionsl counsels. 1t was very evident
rom the temper OF the convention to.
lay that the election of Washburn to
he Senate in 1875 is regarded as q
oreg0ne coEclusion.-ChtcagO Times.