The Morning herald., 1876-08-09

ded into factional interests. And pu1nor
has had 1t that each of these factions, would
present at the convention candidate. Ono
Of them offering the name of Anthony NJ.
Higgins, Esq, and the other bringing 1or-
ward the name of Levi G. Bird. Asto ths
name of Mr.. Bird being offered thers
seems to be no doubt Whatever
but, that the name Of Mr.. Hig-E
gins will be offered, there seems to be con-
siderable doubt, as 1t is understood that M.
Higgins has been approached ON tho sub
ject, and has declined to allew his name ~
be used In such connection.
The name Of Levi G. Bird has been well
canvassed among his friends, snd n0twith-
standing that gentlemen states he Will MT
accept the nomination, 1t 10 fixed fact ~
the convention, whenever 1t shall be held1
that he will be proposed, and that be viii
receive the nomination. Other names have
been mentioned of prominence, those Of Hon.
N. B Smithers, of Dover, and jacob Moore,
# Sussex, an able lawyer, residing -
Georgetown. These names have only bean
casually mentioned. Mr.. Smithers served
in Congress the unexpired term Of the late
| Hon. William Temple, of Smyrna, who died
while in Office. He was elected ct special
election held in 1868, the circumstances Of
which are yet fresh in the minds of our
readers. Mr.. Moore was appointed AttoE-
ney-General under the administration Of
Governor Cannon, and served from 1862 %
1866 with acceptability. He is an able
lawyer and said to have the largest practice
In Sussex county.
In conversation yesterday with Mr..
Henry F. Pickels, representative OF the
EERALD was informed that the names Of
these two gentlemen would not be men
tioned at the convention, and that the rumor
that such would be done, had been created
In the lower counties, by persons, who had
formerly opposed Mr.. Bird, purely for po-
litical purposes. 1t is his opinion that therc
convention and that will be the name of Mr..
Bird who will receive the nomination unani-
mously.
If there is any truth IN the statement
/ that the names of Messrs. 6mithers and
Moore have been mentioned for the purpose
of diverting any support from Mr.. Bird, It
is stated by his friends that,it will conform
with an opposition to him that has previ-
[ ously manifested itself In the lower section.
They claim that four years ago when MIR.
Bird was candidate for the nomination,
and assert 1t as truth, that this county
was solid for him, with good support
from the lower ones. But he had . strong
opposition to contend with in DR.. Prettyman,
who desired his defeat, and in this endeavor
| made combination with sixteen votes IN
Sussex county, to bring out the name OF
Judge Houston. There were three ballots
taken and the number that Judge Houston
obtained were sufficient todestroy the hopes
of Mr.. Bird, and ultimately give tho nomi-
nation to Mr.. Loffman, who was elected. It
is also claimed that it was not because Dr..
Prettyman desired particularly the nomina-
tion of Loffnan, but that he preferred him
to Mr.. Bird. And Judde Houston after
wards acknowledged that he was In st.
Louis at the time his name was men
| toned, and that 1t was without any
consent from him. Two years later
the nomination was rendered to Mr.. Bird,
but he declined 1t, as he stated, preferring
to yield the second term to MI. Loaman.
If the name of Mr.. Bird comes before the
convention, which It is now stated, 1t GER
tainly will do, whether he consents TO
receive the nomination or not, there Will be
no opposition from the other faction in this
city, the influence of which extends through
the State. A prominent member Of the
wing of the party to which Mr.. Bird y
attached stated to q HERALD representative
yesterday, the opposition could not hope 70
meet with any success, because, as he stated,
when they made their fight against Scott IN
the delegate election they were whipped. He
| also stated, that as they secured the n0mi-
nation for their man for sheriff, Mr.. Nc
Mullen, they must be satisfied.
/ r.