The New York herald., 1869-01-18
THE NEW YORK sENATORsHiP.

Reuben Il. FentOn.
After a somewhat protracted and, 1t pay be said,
bitter contest between Senator Morgan and ex-Gov-
ernor R Z. Fenton the latter received the nomina-
uon for the seat In the United States Senate. now
held by the former the held by the radical
members Of the State Legislature at Albany on
Saturday night AS this nomination was subse-
quently made unanimous there appears but little
prospect OF q 'bolt," so that the election OF the
nominee tomorrow may be regarded as certain.
For the next six years, therefore. the Ex-Governor
will probably be one OF the Senators IN Congress
from this State.
Reuben Z. Fenton was born in the town Of Carroll,
Chautauqua county. N. Y, on the 1st of July, 1873,
and is consequently yet fifty years of age. At the
FredOnla and Pleasant Hill Academies he received
an excellent education, studied law and was ad-
mitted to the bar, but subsequently engaged In mer
camille pursuits HIS first appearance on the polit
one OF the Supervisors OF his native town. In 1852
he was elected member OF the Thirty third Con-
gress, and served on the Committee on Private Land
Claims At the expiration OF his term he retired to
private lfe but In 1855 again elected Represen-
aatIve and served IN the Thrtyrnita, Thirty sixth
accepting the Governorship Of New York, 20 which
olice he was first elected in November, 1854, defeat
ing Mr.. Horatio Seymour by some 1000 majority As
member Of Congress ne was regarded as hard
nsS ot ne %
many months before the rebellion was finally sup
pressed that he lost the opportunity Of af0rding
the national government that hearty cooperation
and support In its war measures against the con-
federacy which 1t surely would have received
While In Congress-, however, he gave unquesti0ned
support to all acts OF Mr.. Ltnc0ln's administration
and took an active part. In q civil capacity In the
prosecution OF hOsttlities. In 1896 Mr. FenIOn was
renominated for the once OF Governor, and was
opposed BY Hon. John 7. Holman, the present
holder Of that position. The canvass was Q close
and exciting one. Upon the returns from this city
HOFFMAN at first Indicated the election OF that gentle
man, but heavy falling on Of the democratic vote
In the interior ran up Fenton's majority In
the northern part OF the State, electlng him
for o second term. During his first administration
the Metropolitan Excise law was passed, which
has done more to increase the democratic
In this section OF New York than anything else
Mr.. Fenton was at one time democrat In politics,
but abandoned his party to join the republicans and
Is now member Of the last-named organization.
At the Republican National Convention, held In
Chicago last spring, he was q prominent candidate
for the nomination for Vice President, but was
beaten by Mr.. Schuyler Colfax. During his guber-
natorla career he was nercey denounced by his po-
litica opponents and by clique OF his party; but
30 far, their abuse Of him does not appear to have
affected his political prospects. His nomination for
and certain election as Senator was, no doubt,
greatly Influenced by coarse abuse from enemies In
the republican party, who charged him not many
ful acts while Governor OF the State. Mr. Fenton is
very pleasant and agreeable gentleman In social
life Is very suave and entertaining In his manners
ana ars the reputation Of being q man OF ability.
What his career o. Senator win be we cannot, OF
course uredfct.