Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-13
From the Boston Journal
The PRESIDENTIAL OUTLOOK.

communication which will command the
attention of all who take an interest in po-
litical affairs. 1t embodies the views OF
group of intelligent observers who, going
to Washington at the opening OF the pres
ent session and prosecuting their inquiries
las to Presidential preferences not only
among members of Congress. but among
| the thousands of all classes of visitors from
all parts Of the country, have compared
notes with each other and agreed to COM
municate the result through our columns.
We believe the survey thus obtained to be
misunderstanding It is the work of minds
acute, observant and well-posted on the
movements and tendencies of current pub
lie opinion, will be obvious at once to every
reader. The exhibit is wholly confined to
the republican side Of the political field, as
if was early discovered that the democrat.
ic situation was thus far too chaotic, and
its opponents too chary Of expressing their
views to render any deductions as to dem
ocratc action of the least value at pres
| ent.
| In order, then, to present fair review
| of republican sentiment as it exists to-day
in regard to the next republican candidate
for the Presidency, the communication
calls the roll of the States geographically,
so far as it can be done through its repre-
sentation in all ways at Washington.
Without undertaking to reproduce all the
statements of the writer, or to follow his
order, we may say that he finds the New
England States quite sure to be practically
unanimous In coming to the support of
Names nomination of Hon. James g..
Blaine in the Republican National Con-
vention, although it is admitted that Con-
necticut may possibly give compliment
tary vote to one of its own citizens-either
Postmaster General Jewell or Gen. Haw-
ley-and that some scattering votes may
be thrown for other candidates by other
States. By the third ballot, it is thought,
New England will be practically unit
for Mr.. Blaine. In New York, New Jer-
sey, Pennsylvania and Ohio, substantially
the same result is likely to be brought
about-that is, some complimentary or
earnest votes (but in no case comprising
full State delegation) will be thrown
for Messrs. Conkling, Frelinghuysen,
Hartranft and Hayes. but as Mr.. Blaine is
clearly at least the second choice of each
of those States, he will ultimately get
their votes.
As we approach the West, however,
what have our observers to say to those
who have generally been considered as
Mr.. Blaines chief rivals. Messrs. Morton,
Washburne and Bristow? With respect
TO the first named, they say that they have
been disappointed in his popular strength.
He will get but very few votes in the
East. mainly on account of his financial
record. He will have the support OF his
own State, some votes in Illinois and
Michigan, some in the Gulf States, and
scattering votes elsewhere. Washburne
is regarded as substantially out of the
| field, because Illinois has had the Presi-
dencv nearly ever since the republicans
have been in power, and because it is
wholly uncertain whether he will allow
bis name to be used Gen. Bristow will
have Kentucky, and, it is conceded, more
or less support from moderate men Of
the commercial States, and from those at
the South who depend upon "concilia-
ton" instead Of bold standing up for
republican principles, but it is declared
that the sangune calculations of his
friends are Exceedingly chimerical.'
With regard both to him ard to Senator
Morton, it is admitted that much is hoped
from future combinations, and something
may be obtained, but while they will thus
tend TO neutraliEe each other, the power
of such efforts is mainly local and neces-
sarily limited.
The view taken of the South in the Ma
tional Convention is, that it will be at first
pretty evenly divided, but will eventually
break Tor the leading candidate presented
by the North. The votes, as estimated
above, and those to be added from the
other Western and the Pacific States. will
from the outset place Mr.. Blaine in that
attitude. The third term question receives
significant treatment. To the surprise
OF the canvassers, General Grant has al
most absolutely no support'-not even in
the departments We are inclined to think
that this topic receives all the attention it
is worth.
The conclusion, therefore, is, that to-
day Mr.. Blaine "leads all other candI-
dates in his individual strength" 1t is adj
mittcd that there are interests hostile to
him, like the District Of Columbia Ring,
which may exert local influence but it
is mentioned as particularly noteworthy in
this connection that he has fewer active
opponents than any other man in the
field. Thus far our communication. AS
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