New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-18
THE PRESIDENCY.
Nv TWO REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.

THE HOUSE-MR. BRISTOW'S SPLENDID RECORD
IyRox A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBuSEl
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16.-There are two names
now in all mems mouths in connection with
the Republican nomination for the Presidency.
The other candidates, whose claims have been
,ressed before the public for three years past
are now scarcely mentioned; aud if the talk among
Congressman and other politicians here represents
the feeling throughout the country, the chances of
these candidates are very small. Senator Morton has
still few advocates in the West but they are dinin-
shng in number every day. and he can scarcely lead
the delegation from his own State into the Conven-
tion with an unbroken front. Senator Conkhng Is
III even a worse plight In fact his only resource,
aside from his own ambition is band Of Office
holders in New-YOrk. who have no popular support
behind them. Gov. Hayes has respectable follow
ing in Ohio but the tide of feeling in his favor,
raised by his brilliant campaign last Fall, is rapidly
subsidng and he is not in position TO do anything
70 turn the ebbing current. AS an eNpedlency cam
ddate he has still good deal of negative strength,
and in the two strong competitors for the prize
prove 80 evenly matched that neither can win he
may be brought forward as a compromise candidate.
The other whilom candidates are no longer worthy
Of serious mention.
The recent irTesolute undecided condition OF the
public mind on the Presidential question was taken
by shallow observers as an indication of scarcity
OF aDlc puDuc ltdutIs VA soHVid u'N"y IA P'A'
tics In reality il only showed that the people have
become unusually cautious and critical. They are
determined that the next President shall have intel
lectual ability moral worth and experience in pub
lie Affairs, and among the men who have these es-
sential qualifications they mean to get the BEST
Perhaps the sitting process to which they have been
subjecting ambitious craftsmanship will go on still
further, with new materials for them TO work upon,
but just now the only candidates are the exSpeakcr
and the Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr.. Blaine has one important advantage, but 1t is
attended with great peril. Any day he chooses he
can speak TO the whole country. Whatever he may
say in his place in the House is certain TO be printed
and read the next morning throughout the country.
Daring the entire penod which ntervenes before the
National Convention assemblies he will command
public attention. If he his opportunity wisely
he Will greatly improve his prospects, but II he
makes mistakes they will be likely, in the present
temper of the people, to prove fatal. Mr.. Biaine's
errors are always those of omission rather
than of commission. From excess of caution
he has often let opportunities pass by
that holder man would have grasped,
but he has never made any serious blunders. From
the time he entered the House in 1868 and was as
signed to place almost at the foot of secondrate
committee his growth has been rapid and uninter-
npted until he is now the recognized chief of the
Republican party in Congress. He is a strict party
man. All his successes have been won within the
party lines. He is, however capable of bold and
independent thought is free TO cTtcise the errors
of hIs party in circles where there is 10 newspaper
man present take notes, and, although by no word
spoken in public has he ever condemned even the
most garng faults of the Administration, his iniiu-
enee has always been exerted to prevent their repe-
tition and 10 secure their correction. and TO
lift the Republican organization above the
H. has r1l cad
it. II he hal not been hampered by his
ambition to be President Grants he might
have stood beside Senators Sumner and Schurz III
the struggle for reform. The ex-Speaker has never
done anything notably original in politics, with
the single exception Of the constitutional amend
ment on the Schurz question. lie has exhibited
great shrewdness in forestalng those who were try
ing to make a lever of the question TO lift Gen.
Grant into a third term and he must be credited
also with stateslnanlike forethought in seeking to
take the que ston out of politics before it could be-
come disturbing and perhaps a dangerous element
Mr. Blaine has strong personal magnetism, and nat
ura qualities of leadership. His strength in the
nominating convention viii come from California as
well as from Maine.
Secretary Bristow although talked Of as q Presi-
dental candidate ever since he brought order out of
the chaos left by Mr.. Richardson i'll the Treasury
Department, owes his present prominence to his
battle with the Whisky Ring. 1t is plain that he
has the stuff Of a reformer in him, and that is the
kind Of man for whom thousands of Republicans
have been looking for the past two or three years
There only two important issues now before the
public-admnistrativ reform and specie payments.
Mr.. Bristow stands in the attitude of representa-
tive Of both these ideas position that ne has fairly
earned. Furthermore, TO have plucked laurels from
President Grants Administration is distinction
yh;cb aruues An Uncommon degree Of merit People
may well say that since the Secretary has accom-
plshed so much in the midst of SO many embarrass-
ments be- would we're the great powers ofthe Execu-
tive Office placed in his hands. reform the Government
In all its branches. IL would not be fair TO Mr..
Blame TO say that all the Republicans who desire
reform are supporting the Secretary. Ii is true,
however, that the reform element throughout the
country as body is turning its eyes toward Mr..
BrstOw as the coming man, not nom any distrust OF
his rival, but from admiration of the Secretary's
efforts to bring thieves TO justice Mr.. BrstOw's
way to the goal OF the nomination is however, as
uncertain as that of his competitors. tie
come, from Southern State, and has not
the advantage of years of association III
active politics with those who control the move
ments of the party in the North. Besides, the Presi
dent may yet stop him in his efforts to reform the
revenue service, OF the work may be completed so
far as it es in his power to push it, long before
the convention meets as to give the public time 10
forget the courage and perseverance shown in its
prosecution The conclusion is that neither Of the
two candidates has clearly the advantage, and that
the Republican party is TO be congratulated on the
probability of it's making choice between two men
10 well qualified to FL the Presidential chair.
ANEW VICE-PRESIDENT PRO TEN.
QUIET STEPS GET MR. FERRY TO REsIGN-AN
Mn or