Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-12-22
official Prospects.

THv PROBABLE oFfIoRRs OF BOTH HOUSES OF THE
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES APPOINTMENTS BY THE
GOVERNOR.
The offering OF the two Houses of the Leg.
islature is matter which will not. Of course be
definitely settled until the conyening of that
body. Still there are always indications given
even IN advance OF the caucus meetings which
are the foreshadownge of the action of the can
Gus, and determine that action with a greater or
less degree of certainty. In bodies which arc
united in sentiment and purpose the caucus is
in fact, only the ratification OF tile will previous
ly formed and such. it seems, will be the case
with the caucuses of tho two Houses of the Leg
stature when they shall meet now very soon. at
the State Capital. The Legislature will be in
tensely Democratic-there will be but one Re.
publlcau in both Hou and the Democratic
policy is already 80 well shaped especially an
regards the officers, that they may be announced
almost with certainty in advance of the opening
Of the session.
At least, such seems to be the impression with
some of the more prominent among the man
agers OF the party. They say that there is very
little doubt OF the selection Of Thomas Holcomb.
of this county, to be Speaker of the House, or
OF q. W. ). Nicholson, of Seafurd, for the clerk
ship OF that BODY: Chas. II. b. Day, of Dover,
however, is named in connection with the latter
position, and his friends affect to believe
he will be chosen The selection Of the presid-
ing officer for the Senate is spoken Of
with less OF positiyeness, but IL IL very gen
orally believed that the choice will fall upon
VIM. M. Shakespeare, of Dover. He has, how.
ever, a formidable rival in the person OF Jas H.
Ray, Of Newark, whose prospects are enhanced
by the Willingness Of the party managers below
TO abandon all effort for the chief positions in a
struggle for the clerkships. They seem to be
governed by the conviction that no matter who
may be chosen as the presiding officers OF the
Two houses, 1t affords no additional opportuni-
ty for place, while the clerkships will make room
for two outsiders In the event OF Mr. Shak-
speare's selection, Merris Taylor, city editor of
the Gazette, of this city, stands the best chance
for the clerkship of the Senate, but il Mr.. RAY
is chosen the clerk will be taken from below.
Mr. Fiddeman, OF Kent, and Mr.. Stockley OF
Sussex. are also spoken of Tor the Presidency of
the Senate.
For State Auditor, an officer elected by the
Legislature, Nathan Pratt, OF Milford, has
loomed up az a formidable candidate, and the
present prospect is that he has already gained
sufficient headway to secure the Office.
In the general scramble for office-getling the
appointments by the incoming Governor, which
lie will be called upon TO make next Summer,
have. not been overlooked. In July next the
Prothonatory's office for this county will become
vacant by the expiration of the term OF the pres
ent incumbent, aud il seems to bo settled even
thus far in advance OF the appointment that
Charles Beasten, of Odessa, will be the fortu
nate man. The term of John P. Springer clerk
Of the peace, will expire little In advance of
the incumbent OF the other Office, or on June 9Th
next, and James Z. Hayes appears to have been
fixed uDOn for tho succession.