The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-10-07
THE MISSOURI SENATORsHIP.
GOV. PHELPS PRIVATE REASONS FOR
APPOINTING ID. ~. ARMS RONG
SENATOR = HIS OWN SENATORIAL
AMBITION.
The Three st. Louis Representatives in
Congress what Line of Policy They
will Pursue-The Fr0st-Metcaife Com
test.

| Especial Correspondence of the Democrat
| ST. LOUIS. October a. 1877.
The appointment of successor to the late
| Senator Bogy has ceased to be subject of cont
ment, but there are some facts to be told in con-
neetion with 1t that may interest the readers of
the DEMOCRAT These facts we're so well I'M
derstood here In st. Louis. and, indeed.
| throughout the State, that they were briefly
| passed over by the local press and almost
ignored by correspondents of the press outside
the State.
| COL. DAVID H. ARMSTRONG.
| the new Senator. is an old personal friend of
Gov. Phelps, but that friendship had but little
| influence in the selection. Gov Phelps has
| been a persistent candidate for the United
States Senate in this State ever since he left his
seat In the lower house of Congress- As the
years rolled by and the time for eecting Soma
tor came around. Phelps was found at the front
| urging his claims upon the Democratic party.
| His candidacy has become standing joke in
| the State. Defeat succeeded defeat but this
| didn't seem to discourage the old man in the
least. for ut the next election he was certain
to be on hand with the same old set
Of retainers. striving for the position
Between elections for Senators he
amused himself and kept his foil overs in prac-
tice, by pulling For the Governorship Phelps
| was candidate against Bogy and next to Gen.
| Frank z. Blair after Bogy. was the strongest
| candidate. Last fsll he was nominated for Gov
! ernor through the influence of the National
| Democratic Committee rather the Executive
Committee. who ure ed that 1t would strengthen
the presidential ticket by nominating to put for
ward a man whose Union record was unim-
peachable. That influence, and that alone &C.
cured Phelps nomination. The strength of the
convention was plainly for Col. Vest. an ex-
| Confederate. and many q delegate sorrowfully
| cast his vote against that gallant gentleman.
PHELPS SENATORIAL AMBITION
was discussed at the eonveRtien. and those who
| stood by Vest and urged that Missouri ought to
nominate her choice and let the national ticket
| take care of itself made use of the plea that
Phelps would use his election rs Governor
merely as stepping stone to the Senate. This
argument had weight and
PUBLIC PLEDGE
was exacted from Phelps that he would content
himself with the exalted position of Governor of
this commonwealth. His own words were. Il
am getting old and must In q few short years
retire permanently from the field of politics.
The height of my ambition has always been to
be Governor ofthis grand old State, and If nom
mated, that will be the browning glory of my
life. will devote my time and services for the
whole term to faithful discharge of the duties
of the Office
A nomination was equivalent to an election
and after securing the nomination Phelps In q
speech of thanks, repeated substantially the
words above quoted. But he had hardly warmed
the Governors seat when he began
PLANNING TO SUCCEED SENATOR BoGY.
His object was so apparent in every appoint
ment he made that it became common talk
% 1,
had the effect of greatly weakening the prestige
with which the Governor entered his Office. Old
friends and his warmest supporters through all
his campaigns were cast aside for the selection
Of men whom he believed could and would add
to his strength before the next General Assem-
bly,, and when the four months session of the
Legislature terminated truth compels the
statement that Gov Phelps was really unpop-
ular with the members.
When Senator Bogy died the press and the
people of the State united with one voice In
asking the appointment of a man worthy to
succeed that worthy and honorable man. There
was no division of public sentiment; no contest
over men or localities arose. but the d. mand
for an able, experienced, liberal minded and
press named dozens of men qualified to succeed
to the position but made special plea in
favor OF either. It was generaily conceded that
she had scores OF men competent to fill the
place. Remembering Coy. Phelps long-eher-
ished ambition, and learning. from his former
the Governor the press warned him against
permitting his own schemes to influence his
selection. But the Governor closed his ears to
all advice. to all warming, and appoint
ed a man whom he knew would not
come before the Legislature in 1879 for re-elec,
ton. Col. Armstrong is a man of ability and
unuuestioned integrity. but still
THE MOST UNPOPULAR NAN OF ANY PRoMI-
NENCE IN THE STATE.
He is dictatorial. dogmatc and, so far as his
power goes. tyrannical, and he boasts of these
characteristics. Having long since abandoned
the idea of ever running for office. he seemed
to make it an object to become as unpopular us
was Southern sympathizer during the war.
opinions emphatically. The freedom with
unpopu lar with the Unionists. and the Confed-
crates disliked him because he did not go into
the war and there maintain his opinions. Col.
Of importance. He was chairman of the Dem
cratic State Committee during the memorable
the glory Of that fight. He has several times
held the office of
POLICE COMMISSIONER.
and has once or twice been on the State Central
It would be possible for him to
and energy to the duties of his position as Sena-
tor. blot out his past record and make himself
reputation that would secure re-election.
But it would require at least full tern of six
years to accomplish this. He could scarcely
more than begin the work in two " ars the
length of time he has to serve to fill out the late
Bogy's term, and none knows this fact better than
Gov. Phelps These are the facts concerning this
appointment. and the Governor is condem-
ed from one end Of the State to the other for
making use of the high trust reposed in him
to elevate and aggrandizs himself. Col Arm
strong is not such man as the country and his
for United States Senator takes place in 1879,
Gov. Phelps will awake to the fact that what
he regarded as one of his ceverest schemes
was in reality the greatest blunder he ever
made. The fact is
GOV. PHELPS CHANCES OF ELECTION TO THE
SENATE
are anything but promising.
AS Congress will convene in special session
very soon. and as
THE THREE REPRESENTATIVES TO THE LOWER
HOUSE FROM ST. LOUIS
are unknown outside of this city have made