The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-10
NORTH CAROLINA SENAYORSHIP.
Ambitious Politicians Strug-
Cling for Honor.
Chickering's and Accusa-
tons in Print.
RALEIGH. N. c., Jan. Z, 1879.


The Legislature which will assemble in this city
the 18th of this mouth will have to perform the
important task of selecting United States Senator
to fill the place of Mr.. Merrmon. whose term of
Office expires the 4th of March next. The regular
democrats in the Legislature largely in the ma
jority, and moreover there ten independent DEM
ocrats and one greenbacker of democratic antcce-
dents, who on any question of political nature
would vote with regular and caucus-bound demo-
Gratis hence there is possible chance for the cleo
ton to the Senate Of other than democrat. North
Carolina has an abundant supply of patricia en-
dowed with sufficient intelligence, ability and states
manship to make an average Senator, and enough
of them willing to assume the duties
of the exalted position. but judging from the
wordy warfare which has been for several months
and is still being carried in the newspapers and
by the street and road politicians it
would that the contest for United States Sena-
tor has narrowed down to verv small compass, and
that the Legislature will have before it to select from
only two names-those Of the present Senator, Hon.
A. S. Merrimon and Governor z. B. Vance, the pres
ent occupant Of the executive chair of the State.
The war which has been carried on, much to the
uoyance and agitation of the quiet people of the
State by the friends of these two aspir-
ants, has been very bitter. and abuse. personal
assaults. political invective and general overhaul
results
SENATOR MERRrMoN.
It is admitted by all that the record which Senator
Merrmon has made during the six years he has been
in the he is anxious to refill has been clear
and unblemshed as the most exacting democrat of
the straitest creed could wish, but his manner of
reaching the Senate six years ago by making his
friends bolt the and then electng him by aid
of republican does not agree well with the
State canvass was being made the Senator issued
circular to the people defending his record as q
bolter. saying hard things about King Caucus.
also about Governor Vance and his friends, and
finally ntmating that he a candidate for Senator
regardless Of party behests and party caucus. This
circular, it is charged by Merrimon's enemies had
demoralizng effect upon the democratic party. and
many small politicians who had been rejected by the
party looked upon the circular encouragement
from high authority to disregard the will ofcon-
ventions and seek political preferment outside Of
party lines The result of this. it is claimed,
in the last campaign in this State produced
unprecede large crop of independent candidates
for minor ofhces from legislator down to township
constable many OF whom, by the aid Of republican
support were successful. To that extent, 1t is
stated the Senator has damaged the party in power.
1t has been avowed by numerous newspapers and
correspondents friendly to Vance that Merrimon
will not abide by the action of the democratic
caucus if it is unfavorable to him and he can
ganize a respectable bolt. In order to refute this
charge large number Of the Senator's friends adj
dressed him note last fall plainly asking him if he
willing to submit his claims to properly con-
stituted caucus Of. the democratic members of the
Legislature. In reply to this note Merrimon wrote
q very ingeniously ambiguous letter. and the cor
respondence being published certainly resulted
II;
ever. Senator Merrimon has many friends in
and out of the Legislature and will undoubtedly
give Vance warm fight in caucus. and if his
friends who stand by him in will follow him
into bolt, then with the aid of the republicans and
independents in the Legislature iii, perchance. they
be counted upon). Mr.. Merrimon WILL in all hui
probability. be returned to his present seat in
the Senate. This even granting that he fails Of
GOVERNOR VANCE.
While the most perplexing subject to Merrimon's
friends is his noncommital attitude with reference
to caucus action. it is well known and universally
acknowledged that Vance il old party man. and il
and has been willing to abide by the action Of
of the democratic members. even though that
action shall cut him forever Off from the
the nation. Party feaity has always been the
War Governors trump card, and his friends
are now now PLAYING Il very desferoasy and
many complaints to answer. 1t ID charged that the
has used his executive influence freely
paving his way to the Senate: that 1t bad faith
in him. when the people elected him to be Governor
for four years. to be DESTROYS at the end Of two
years don his gubcrnatorial robes and don those
of the Senators that he has neither the dignity nor
the influence away from home necessary in the
composition Of acceptable Senator. and that the
action of his friends last spring and summer in in
structing and plcdgng nominees Of legislative con-
ventions to vote for Vance in preference TO
Merrimon innovation upon the usages OF the
party not to be submitted to. These and kindred sub
jccts have kept the editors and correspondents busy
for several months. until the people generally have
become heartily tired OF the Senatorial contest and
the cry, Down with both Vance and Merrimon and
bring III dark horse!' has gone up from here and
there all the State, and is making an
impression The fear that the bitter contest between
the two distinguished aspirants named will disrupt
the party do il lasting harm has given strength to
this cry. and IL is not only possible but. in tho
opinion Of your corresponding highly probable that