The Empire County argus., 1855-11-17
SACRAMENTO CoRREspoNDENCE.

SACRAMENTO CORRESPONDENCE.
The Senatorial Question. johnson out, Ralston IN
the field The Combination or Sacramento Regea-
cy H fen of ats Members The Programme.
New Ecening Paper. The new Secretaryof State
Col. Zd6riskie and Son.
SACRAMENTO, Nov 8, 1855.
My DEAR ARGUS Politically there is nothing
deeply interesting here. The Senatorial question
is mootcd in the newspapers. What they say on
this subject is not however, always reliable Some
of them write for two fold purpose. First to
have something to be read, and second, to raise
fog under of which, like the cuttle-fish the
public may be deceived and their favorite candi-
date sheltered from observation until the proper
time to bring him out shall arrive Others write
and know nothing of what they write. For rnstance,
the State Journal asserts that Neely Johnson, the
Governor elect, is prominent candidate for U. S.
Senator. This may be so, but nobody here believes
it. 1t is one of Whites funny sayings. He is an
inveterate joker, and told it joke, but the pub
lie do not yet know him sufficiently to take it as
such. You however, have seen enough of him and
his writings to be convinced that what say is cor
rect. Facts and circumstances prove the joke.
Let us see.
When the American State Convention met John
son not strong candidate for Governor.
Judge Ralston of this city was in fact much the
stronger man. His we'll known eloquence-hs
high legal attainments-hs vast legislative expert
ence, and his long sympathy and great influence
with the Settlers pointed to him judicious Sc
lection to head the American ticket. But although
n candidate befora tho convention tho 1udra did
not press his claims. He was not anxious form
fact he did not desire--the nomination. He had
higher aspirations which it was his sole ambition
to strengthen. Circumstances favored him. John
son he knew to be willy and active. He suspiconed
that his shadow might his path to Senatorial
honors. To make Johnson his aid and adjunct
rather than his opponent, was his aim. And how
better could he comfort Ralston than by being Gov
ernor with large executive patronage at his dis
posal! On these terms Ralston was not only will
ling, but delighted to give Nicely the nomination.
Ralston might have been the man, but his long
cherished hopes of higher and more enduring hon
ors would not permit him to seek the position. In
political circles it is we'll remembered how ardently
he pursued this darling object in 1852, 8, and 4.
And besides, the Judge and the Governor elect
are blood relatives. They form part and parcel
of what is here known as the Sacramento Regency.
This ju',ta includes many prominent and some very
efee politicians. Sunderland, quiet but efficient
heretofore whig, who was once candidate for
District Attorney here, and now brother-in-law
to the Judge is of it, and will lose no opportunity
to assist in the Judges elevation. Ex-senator Cat
lin, another whig once at swords points with john
son, but reconciled is also of bhe'seect party
George H. Cartier, lawyer of this city, member
elect to the Assembly and an active candidate for
Speaker, who is warm admirer of Ralston, is in
this combination. He is anxious for the Speaker
ship only to assist his friend Ralston to the U. S.
Senate. am fully convinced that he does not seek
the position for the advantage that may therefrom
accrue to himself but solely to carry out the pro-
gramme of the junta Of which he is leading
member. Ferguson, the Senator elect, and Cartier
the leaders of the legislative delegation from
this county. What they agree on will be done.
The regency party have been hunting Ferguson for
his influence, but as yet he is not of them The
prospects are however, that he will be-
All these men save Ferguson, and he was not
then here, agreed with the Judge on the constitu-
tional convention question They and others be-
longing to this regency party have influence in this
County and State, and cannot well fail to make the
Judge powerful competitor for the Senatorial
prize.
The plan is. so far yet developed for the egis-
lature before going into Senatorial convention to
repeal a number of laws enacted during the past
two years curtailing Executive patronage, the OBJ
ect of which is to make Johnson useful in the con-
test. Johnson himself intends to so administer the
government during his term that he will be nomi-
mated for second, and if elected, to so administer
that as to place him prominently before the people
as the successor to the successor of Gwin. If,
however, during the coming year, he finds this not
likely to be accomplished he will endeavor to use
his influence to make himself Weller's successor.
But in no probable event will he be a candidate
before the next legislature for the Office of u S.
Senator. His aid will undoubtedly be given to
Ralston unless he fears that by eIecting him he
would initiate against himself by placing fellow
townsman in the position to which he aspres in
the 'good time coming"
The new Secretary of State, Chas H. Hampstead
was duly inaugurated into Office on the 5th inst
Mr.. Hampstead is young man, not widely known,
but fully competent to perform the duties Of the
office. The position would have been offered to
Col Zabrskie but it was understood that that pen-