The Senatorial Question Is Vexing

tTte entire Republican presa of the 8tate and occasionally some Democratie journalist seeins inclined to " take a hand in." The Detroit Tribune opened its batterios on Senator CHANDLER and the " Caucus System,'' whioh was the signal for the Post to "lot loose the dogs of war," and for " Tray, Blanche, and Sweetheart" to join in making "chin music." But, perhaps, we should not speak so lightly of such a serious matter. The question is narrowed down to a few points : Are there any anti-ClIANDLER Republican members who will refuae to go into caucus, and who will reserve their votes to be given in the House or Sonate V If so, is their number such that, given backbone and perseverance, they can defeat Senator Chaxdler, by compelling the majority of the Bepublicans to accept and elect a man of their choice ? Not being able to bring abont this result, will they " put their votes where they will do the most good," that is, record thein for the Democratie nominee, or will they expect the Democratie members to vote in a body for a Republican ? One more question enters into the discussion, and the one of special interest to tbe Democracy : Shall the Democratie members hold themselves ready to vote for a Republican, if by so doing they can defeat Senator Chandler ? This last question is the one we will consider at this writing. We believe that it is for the credit and honor and interest of the State, which term includes the Democracy, that Senator Chandler be retired. His eighteen years of service have not reflected h:stre upon the State, nor has he entitled himself to receive the vote of a single Democratie member to insure his re-election. The interest of the State and the interest of the Democracy are at one in desiring and demanding that he " step down and out ' of the Senate, and that his place be filled by a successor who will better reflect the intelligonco and virtue of the State. The Argus prefers that such succossor bo a Democrat, and would not advise a coaiition with anti-ClIANDLER Republicans, unless it is undorstood that in no other manner Mr. Ciiandler oan be dofeated. The Argus at the same time believes that the defeat of Chandler would go a long ways towards breaking down the Republican power in the State ; that no Ropublican euccessnr could so hold in hand the Republican reins, or so manipúlate the party for personal sucecss. Belioving tuis we neither say with some Democrats "anybody to beat Chandler," nor with other Democrats, that we " prefer Chandler to any other Republican." There are Republicans, eminent and competent, whom we should prefer to Zack CHANDLER; Republicans for whom we would vote had we the privilege or sponsibility of giving the casting vote, and could not with that vote elect a Deinocrat ; Eepublicans who are almost persuaded to be Demócrata, and are such except in name ; who agree with the Democracy on the questions of currency, tariff, and decentralization ; who do not be[ieve that Congress or the President can make or unmake a State at pleasure ; who would not see it the whole duty of a Senator to legislate for party instead of country, for " Rings" instead of the peojle ; who would have some regard both to the requireinents and limitations of the Constitution they will swear to support, and who will not take the oaths of office with too many mental reservations. There are Eepublicans who would in their jersonal life and habits, in their seholary acquirements and legal attainments, n their ability to consider and discuss constitutional questions, honor rather han disgrace the State. If the contest uarrows to a Eepubliean such as we have described, and Zack Chandler, the ArGL'S hopes that, without any bargain or „ale, every Democratie Senator and Eepreseutative will give his vote to such a epublican. Some Democratie cotemporary may say hat if there is a single Eepublican such as wo describe he should be a Deinocrat, and that his continuing to be a Repbublican discredits either his ruanliness or inegrity. The strength of party associaious should not be forgotten ; neither hould one overlook the fact that these are formative times ; that parties and inlividual members of parties are ehangng ; that oíd issues are giving way to new ones ; and that agreeing meinbers of eaoh party are discovering their points agreeinent, and will come together in one party or the other. If the Democratie arty is true to the leading principies we íave indicated : gold and siver the constitutional curreney, and any authorized japer curreney to be convertible into it a tariff exclusively for revenue, with no egislation in the interest of monopolies ; and the right of States and municipal corporations to legislate for and govern hemselves, subject only to constitutional restrictiona, it is, and that at or before another Presidential campaign, to receive arge accessions from the Republican jarty, and may lose some of its presont membors. Such a Republican as we havo described is in the line of acquisition, and will at least better represent the State, as tho Democracy would have it ropresented, than Senator ClIAJfDLElt. We ad vise the Democratie members to be ready to accept such a Republican when t becomes certain that thoy cannot elect a Democrat. This is tho present contribution of the Argtts to the Senatorial question. Hereafter it may discuss individuals. ■-■ i - ■ Somebody thinks that the Washaurns have disappeared. Scarcely, with ex-Governor William B. in the Seiiate from Massacliusetts. ex-Governor Cadwallader C. in Wisconsin, and ex-Governor W. D. in Minnesota coming to the front as Senatorial candidates, and Minister Elihu B. prominently named for the Presidenoy. And who knows but that in the growing disaffection in Maine toward returning Hanilin to the Senate, exGovernor Israel, alsoinay be resuscitated? The Detroit Post, which patiently figured out a Republican inajority of 14 in Uongress previous to the elections, now shows equal skill in figuring out a Republican majority on the electoral vote in the next Presidential eleetion. lts figures will come about as near the mark in the last case as they did in the first.