The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-01-28
PRESIDENTIAL SPECULATION.
How the Washington Politicians
Were Talk Ing on Monday.
Washington Dispatch to the New York


| said to have begun with rumor OF winch
one of its admirers remarked that it was
"neat, but not gaudy" 1t was to the
effect that the President'splan was to try.
nj Cincinnati, for denomination, with
Governor Hayes as second on the ticket,
and with the determin alton TO cast his
whole influence for Hayes for the first
place if he could not get it himself
This worked well among the gossip
mongers, and was thought pretty
strong device on which speculation
might build. Hence those who thought
the chances ofthe Presidents renomina-
ton very small, and the number Of those
who think this is very rapidly increasing,
did not hesitate to "guess" that with
! HAYES, OF Ohio, for President, Woodtord,
of New York, because of his brilliant de-
| bate during the last Ohle canvass, or
Walter Phelps, Of New Jersey, because
| he is the favOrite of the modern Rcpub-
licans in the East, would be probable
choice tor the second place on the ticket.
Next came an important modification,
| and one that seems At first to have some
startling merits. 1t is necessary, said the
surcesters OF this new combination, that
the Republicans should carry Ohio in Oc-
tober, and also that they should be sure
of New York in November. a ticket
headed by Fish and Hayes would cover
the ground completely, and would GER
tainly have the warm support OF the
best men everywhere. Mr., Fish's name
has been so little mentioned in con-
nection with the Presidency, and he has
been so greatly without followers or Cos
Slippers to bring out his merits, that this
suggestion had quite an effect, especially
AS il was conceded at once that the two
men could really, in all probability, carry
their States. and these States are neoes-
sary to the election. About this time it
became known that Senator Sherman
had written Il letter to friend in Ohio
a letter which will be published within
dav or two-in which he advocates the
domination of Governor Hayes to the
Presidency at Cincinnati. Mr.. Sherman
has not done this, it is said, entirely out
of his own head, but has advised with
other Rrpnblicans,i chiefly, .of course,
| Ohio men.
Next came reports from Mr. Morton's
friends that he was sure of the support,
| on the first ballot of u considerable part
of the Massachusetts and New York
delegations, and that with this strength
| i'm the east, his own State solidly for HIM,
scattering votes from other western States
and heavy prcpondcrance otthe South
ern delegations, he will show such
strength as 10 enable him to carry the
| Convention on the second ballot. There
is. however, growing feeling here that
the Southern delegations shall not he
| allowed to overweis hit the decision OF the
| Convention. They represent only rotten
burroughs, it is said. They. come up to
| vote in the Convention from states which
they cannot carry, and they will be re-
quired to take back seats and to follow
instead of leading.
Finally came New York paper with
a report that the President had told Sen
ator Conkling that he should decline
denomination, but that he would give his
influence and support to Mr.. Conkling,'
This report hal for while quite start
ling effect, for it was believed to be posi-
bly true. Mr.. Conkling is known to be
favorite at the White House, and dur
ing the last ten days the chances OF
denomination have begun to be so slim
that many persons have though it not
unlikely General Grant would openly de-
cline it, in order to save himself from an
embarrassing position. unluckily Tor
those who would like to believe this re-
port, it is false. Senator Conkling being
shown the report at his house, declared
II TO be entirely untrue. He read the
article through and then SAID:
There are two statements made here,
which are n follows:
First-It is learned to-day, that Fresi-
dent Grant has formally signlted TO
Senator Conklng and Others that he has
decided not to be II candidate for the
Presidency, and has pledged himself not
to accept rcnomlnation.
This, said the Senator, Is absolutely
and uuqualifedly false. There is not
word of truth in it. The President has
made no such declaration to me. Re
suming, he said and read
Second appears that Senator Conk-
ling is acting upon the notification that
he has 70 mally svowed his own purpose
In he a canuIdatc, and has already for
mally begun the organization OF his
campaign.
This second statement, continued he Is
rs false SIS the first one, and there Is
nothing in what have said AZ any time
to Justify such an assertion. The entire
article is utterly untrue.
This puts too quick end to one Of the
rre;tiest rumors of very lively day.
Yet if the President should any day issue
a formal declaration against renom-
ination no one here would be surprised.
He would grcve the Democrats, who do
not scruple to declare their belief that his
nomination would be favorable TO their
prospects, but it is the opinion OF the
shrewdcst politicians one speaks with
here that there is no probability OF =
th,rd-term nomination, and Senator Sher-
mans letter advocating the selection OF
Governor Hayes will, it is thought, lead
to = scattering fire of such letters from
other prominent men in the party who
will nse this kind of opportunity 10 de-
clare their opposition TO third term by
suggesting the name OF their own favor
ties.
Mr.. Blaine, amid all these rumors, sat
quietly in the House. He gets abundant
comfort, it is said, from half bushel OF
letters per day from all parts OF the
country, praising him for his recent per-
formances in the House. He has GER
tainly walked up the country.
"Mr. Blaine has put new life into our
party out West" sand an emphatic west,
ern msn thi. evening. "He has walked
up the Republican party, sir" 9.