Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-07-01
WASHINGTON LETTER
WAsnINGTeN. II. c.. June II. /

Democrats from every section OF the
county, who have been in Washington
during this session Of Congress, and a
careful scanning of the principal Demo-
cratic journals from every State, has
forced upon me the conviction that
there has not been. for many years. so
great determination to succeed in q
Presidential election, rs exists now in
tho Democratic party. The necessity
for success was .never more keenly felt;
nor has there been, for years, SO much
reason to expect success. Upon these
points we are agreed; it is only upon
the questions or policy that we are
divided. But elen then, the willing.
ness to yield preferences to what shall
seem to be the wfsest course is almost
unanimous; and it only remains to de-
termine what <he wisest course is
The fact is not disputed, believe, that
neither party can win without the State
of New York And it is also agreed
that Administrative Reform is to be
the chief Issue Of tho campaign. 1t
was, therefore, 20 be expected that
Governor Tilden should be selected as
the man most certain to become the
next President OF the United States, if
nominated by THE Democratic party.
Believing him to De so, I have, from
time to time, frankly stated the facts of
his career, rs the leader of Reform
movement that has relieved the Democ-
racy of the State; of New York of a
blighting disgrace; land made him the
most popular man. within its borders.
AN ARIsToCRATIC PUBLIC EoBEER BROUGHT
TO GRIEF.
The ideas in the: preceding paragraph
were suggested to me by reading in the
New York Herald and Tribune of to-
day (the World is strangely SILENT edi.
torials ON the conviction Of George D..
Lord, at Buffalo, of frauds in the man
agement of the Canals. The Lord FAM
lily have been to the State of New York
what Tweed was to the city; with the
difference that while Tweed was plebian
and vulgar, the Lords were aristocratic
and respectable When Governor
Tilden commenced war upon the Canal
Ring, this family and their wealthy and
powerful connections defed him, pre-
cisely as did the Tweed Ring. But the
people were on the side of justice and
honest government; they have sustained
Governor Tilden at every step, and yes
terday, the chief member of the Canal
Ring was convicted of crimes that may
send him to prison for five years. Is it
strange that Governor Tilden is op-
posed, when many Of those fighting
against him are struggling to save
themselves from the penitentiary
But, for every thief that rises against
him, five honest men come to his sup
port. The Tribune says of Lords con-
viction: Among the people at large
this evidence of the practicability of the
Governors reforms will make, deep
impression" and thiaks that the ques-
I CrUn Or UOveTnUI Ti1IsEns strength and
popularity is settled. s:The Herald takes
a similar view of the n//atter.
COMPROMISE CANDIDATES
are beginning to loom up in both par
ties, in view of the pos sibility that the
friends of the gentlemen most promi.
nently mentioned in connection with
the Presidency will besome so embit-
tered against each other that the nomi-
nation Of none Of the rivals is possible.
Of the Republicans, Wheeler of New
York Washburne, of Illinois, now Mini.
ster to France, and Governor Hartranft
of Pennsylvania, are most spoken Of
Wheeler, perhaps, ahead. Among the
Democrats, if neither Bayard, Tilden,
Hancock, Hendricks, Thurman, OF
Parker can lie nominated, Governor
Thomas Swami, of Maryland, will be
strongly urged as candidate. Mr..
Swann's public career is unspoted, and
his private character is without blem-
ish. And, in speaking of Governor
Swami, I am reminded of a fact that
comparatively few persons consider,
when discussing the capacity of public
men. It is this. The Government Of
6cal who has all the help he requires,
who is provided from tina Public Treas.
ury with all the money e requires for
the payment of expenses which he may
deem necessary, has fine time of it
compared with the conductor of large
private enterprises, whose duties require
of him that he shall not only prosecute
them to success, but sha, also provide
the means for doing so. George Law,
Cornelius Vanderbilt, A.. T. Stewart,
Thomas Swami, and score of other
able and wealthy railroad men, projectors
of steamship lines, inventors, and
others, whose pursuits in private life
have contributed to the wealth of the
country, and to give it high place
among the nations of the earth, have
not only performed duties through life
similar to those of our best Cabinet Of
fcers, and equally beneficial to the peo-
pie, but have been obliged also, and at