The New York herald., 1870-12-26
ARKANSAS.
Meeting OF the Legisiatare-EicctiO Of United
states Senator-Poiiticai Differences.

Meeting OF the Legisiatmre-Eiccti0n OF Uuitcd
States SenatOr-Poiitical Differences.
LIrrLE ROCK, Ark, Dec. 1S, 1870.
the Legislature OF this State meets here on the "a
OF January, and among Its nrst acts Will be the
ELECTION OF United States senator to d the vacancy
occasloned by the expiration Of the term of Hon.
Alexander Mcdonald, who goes out in 1871. Senator
Mcdonald Is acandldatc for reelection on the repub-
hcan ticket, while General Clayton, the present
republican Governor OF the State, will also be In the
Held. II Is understood that the democrats who arc
largely ln the minority IN the Legislature, have
determined that to run candidate OF their
own party faith is simply useless, but never
theess they will put some iavorIte politician
IN nomination. and after giving him u COM
plimeniary vote Will divide their vote on the
republican candidates. Congressional contests have
split up the republican party III nearly all the
Southern States, and such has been the result In
ARKANSAS The party Ia divided into two WINGS
one composed Of Governor Clayton and officials OF
the State administration throughout Arkansas, as
well as those enjoying anticipating the enjoyment
Of State patronage, while the other, headed by the
Congressional delegation, Is composed mainly or
those who hold Office under or have received the
patronage OF the general government The repre-
sentative men or both Of these wings have almost
equally great influence III the Legislature, and even
ut TINS time, only TWO or three weeks prior to
Lho eiccllon ~ Is dlilcutt To state with
any degree OF certainty which party has
the greatest numerical strength In the Lcgls-
lature. Bolh candidates are pronounced by
their friends as sound republicans although the
Mcdonald faction ~ busiy circulating statements
that Clay on has agreed TO sell out the State gov
ernment to the democracy ms IA bribe for the Senu
torship. On the other hand the Clayton party posi-
lively denies that any sucn bargain mas been made
The facts ON which this charge Is based are that
Clayton, IN a speech made over year ago int-
mated that he was favorable 10 the enfranchlsement
OF several thousands OF exreDels, who deprived
nf ha haltn nnHnr
sttuti0n. The point Is made that this speech mme
| diaely followed a secret meeting between the Gov
ern0r ana certain prominent democratic leaders,
anu tibGt the utierance or scn sentiments was pre-
| mature, views favorable 10 general amnesty not
then being entertained by the republican Congress,
and moreover, as peace ana good order had then
| been fuly established In tho state, outrages on
| republicans beng OF frequent occurrence. This
speech OF the GOvernOr was The signal Of attack by
| those within the ranks OF his own party who had
suspected that nc had designs uDOn the Senatorshp
ana that ne would not abstain from any course OF
action calculated to further his interests. The re-
| publican vote in the Legislature Is reported TO bo
quite evenly divided, Notwithstanding both parties
Nothing very definite can be ascertaned Just now US
to the probable vote OF tne democrats on the nnal
ballot The fact, however, that several Of their Or
| gans are backing Clayton would seem to Indicate
That he has their preference. ana also to give
shadow OF authenticity TO the story OF his secret
| agreement with the leaders Of tue democratic
| party to sell out tho state government In
| return Tor their support Even II this agreement
has been made however Ii Is doubtful thai Clay ton
VIII secure the united democratic vote, for the reason
that the democrats strange IL may scem have sue
ceeded IN creating split IN their own ranks quite
serious rs that existing III the ranks OF their political
opponents. This division grows out OF a feeling Of
dlsrust on the part OF the democrats In the country
| sections or the designs OF those residing at the
state capital in the matter Of the terms which
their support OF Clayton Is guaranteed The country
democrats charge that they consulted In the
case and that a bargain was effected which will
| benefit their city brethren almost exclusively. II
the doubts they entertain are not dispeled prior tC
| the taking Of decisive vote Clayton will
| stand Ilttle chance OF getting much sup.
these country gentlemen can be satisfied
there still remains before the Governor the trouble
some TASK OF convincing republican members OF the
Legislature that there has not been any sale such as
IL charged and In the event OF complete exposure
thereof by the Mcdonald faction the yet more ti6i-
cult work OF convincing his friends (who may not as
yet be posted ON the matter that harm can result
| 10 the party from the bargain.
IL is stated tnat the Governor holds back mis-
highest card the promise OF securing call for new
constitutional convention which Will form constl-
tuti0n more liberal IN It's provisions than the one
made when the state was reconstructed ana when
Will dlsfancnise but very few persons, II any. Under
| terms Oi the present constitution an amend
ment removing political restrictions In the case
OIL cX-rebes requires action at two diterent sessions
ana vote al u special or general election by the
| people before such amendment taxes effect and
Clayton's friends affirm That he prefers the latter
mode OF relief for the dsfrancsed rather than the
calling OF Il new convention.
AS before stated IL Is difficult to arrive at any posi-
i've conclusion aS TO how this contest VIII term-
nate, when all the different issues referred To arc
iully considered. Both parties seem to he full o.
| Spirlt ana confluence Boin candidates
ally popular and especially the present Senator, and
II Is not improbable tnat III the mixed condition o
talngs the vote of many members Will he regulated,
not BY political considerations alone but largely by
inere personal preferences.