Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-06-02

I
held, on Wednesday, to choose delegates to
the National Convention at Cincinnati.
Nebraska instructed her delegates to vote
for Mr.. Blaine. Minnesota expressed a
similar preference by resolution, but did not
instruct. Nine of her ten delegates are said
to be Blaine men. The Illinois and Kansas
delegates are reported almost unanimous for
Mr.. Blaine they were not instructed. One
third of the New Hampshire delegation are
for Mr.. Bristow, the rest for Blame. The
Missouri delegation is said to stand about
as follows; For Blaine, IA; Morton, l2 !;
Bristow, 8; Conkling, l.
The New York State committee OF colored
men Tuesday indorsed Conkling for the
Presidency.
1t is said that Senator Booth will take no
public notice of his nomination for the vice
presidency by the greenbaek convention. lie
Is reported to be in favor Of Bristow, and
hopes to be able to act with the Republicans
In this campaign. We guess there will be
no difficulty about that.
Green Clay Smith, of Kentucky, the
prohibition candidate for the presidency,
saw some service in the Union army, at the
beginning of the last war. In 1868 he was
elected to Congress as Republican. He
was subsequently appointed Governor Of
Montana territory. Subsequently, he be
came Baptist preacher. Mr.. Clay was not
Prohibitionist while in Congress and we have
never heard of him as an active Pro-
hibitionist. But he accents the nominal ion
Just now, Senator Bayard seems to be
ahead Of all the other Democratic candidates
for nomination at St. Louis. He has all
along been the fayorite candidate Of the
Southern wing Of the party and as Tilden's
chances decline, Bayard gains with the
Northern Democrats.
Mr.. Thurman is reported confident that
three-fourths OF the Ohio delegates to st.
Louis are for him, although pledged to vote
for his uncle, g Rise p-W illiam-Allen.
Thurman is being punished on account Of
his inaction during the last Congressional
campaign, when he was absent from Ohio
during most Of the time.
Of course, the Endorsement by the Ohio
Democrats Of the venerable William Allen,
loaded with seventy-three years, will not
count straw's weight at St. Louis. His
name is simply used as the only means of
breaking down his nephew, Judge Thur
man.
1t is not because of any hostility toward
Mr.. Blaine, or prejudice in favor of BristOw,
that we would like TO see the latter head the
ticket las for that, we would rather see VIII
liam A. Wheeler in the presidential chair
than either of them) but because the signs
OF the times point to sure success with the
Kentucky reformer, and to doubtful con-
ict with any other candidate Montpelier
Freeman.
The World Is perfectly accurate in saying
that the friends of Senator Conkling con-
fdently expect that he will be nominated at
Cincinnati. We have never known any set
of experienced politicians who seemed so
certain of accomplishing their purpose
Nac York Sun.
The same Senate viii ich held the nomina-
tion of Mr.. Dana under consideration for
two weeks or more, and then rejected it, con-
frned Don Cameron without the customary
formality Of reference to committee. This
was not first-class way TO help the Repub-
lican party at the present crisis.-Hdrfford
COUrduf.
We do not undertake to say that Mr.
Washburne is the yeritabe " dark horse"
but we are willing TO stake our reputation
for political intelligence on the opinion that
he Is the hardest candidate to beat that the
Republicans could put in the field d.-Neg
York Herald
President Hopkins told the Reform Con-
ference that he had never before attended
political gathering. The confession will
probably do him good but how can he ex-
cuse himself for neglect of duty 50 long
TrGreAer.
The Aberdeen (Nliss.) Examiner, whose
politics need not here be mentioned, says. in
speaking of the murderous outrage at Cou-
shatta, La. - The man that shot Twitchell
will never be discovered for, if known, he
will not be betrayed by people who are
compelled by the strong arm Of the Ma
tional Government to bend the knee to
horde of scoundrels, or else kill off the
seoundrels as the only alternative left
them"
1t may be laid down as a general rule
that the distinguished Senator's on either
side of the chamber are not brimming over
with affection TOR their distinguished party
associates. This does not apply to the can
didates alone. Ii is an open secret that Mr..
Edmunds, for instance, will be very resign
ed if something unpleasant happens to Mr..
Morton, next month, and that he won't cry
his eyes out over any little disappointment
that may befall Mr.. COnkling Springfield
Republican.
The New York Times thus sums up the
strength of the gentleman from Maine.
The solid delegations Of five States, counting for
81 votes are thus virtually pledged 10 Mr.. Blaine;
from other ten States who have already held con
yenons he is secure Of lu7 votes, three Territories
give him six votes, and as Iowa, Kansas, and Min
nesOta, a-gregating . votes, are generally con-
eeded TO him, find that eighteen states and
three Territories give Mr.. Blaine a certain strength
on the first or second ballot OF 2l5 votes There
really seems to be nothing very extravagant in
the claim made by Mr.. Blaines friends that he Will
start with u strength Of nearly 30O votes. Those
who believe that Mr.. Blaine hardly fulhlls the re-
quisites Of the ideal Presidential candidate had
better frankly recognize his undOubted strength
or course, IL history repeats itself, the strongest
candidate on the opening ballots OF Presidential
Convention is foredOOmet TO defeat, but II would
hardly be safe at the present time TO trust im-
plicitly to historical analosies.
The Springfield Republican was about the
last paper we expected to see praising Sena-
tor Conkling. But it is the Republican which
says of him:
Personally, he is not a bad man or a corrupt nan.
He has not been mixed up in doubtful enterprises
and speeulatOns He has not been haud-in-gloye
with notorious lobbyists. lie has not used his
public trust to put money in his private purse
lie has the instincts and habits OF a gentleman-as
Judge Alfred COnkling's son couldn't we'll help
having. His administration would doubtless leave
much 10 be desired. But in tone and surroundings
itwould be a great improvement upon the admin
istration OF winch he has been. FOR these seven
years past. the stoutest pillar. There very little
chance Of his being nominated-practically
at ALI Ii nom mated, there would be no chance OF
his election. what with the ranking resentment
Of Gov Dix's friends and the uncOncealed aversion
Of the George W. Curtis, Ellis II. Roberts, Union
League Club sort OF Republicans, the odds would
be heavily against his carrying his own ethte
But We do not know any good reason for setting
him down as a less available candidate than Mr-
Blaine or Mr. lrton. and he Is certainly muca
more presentable candidate. As between him and
either OF these distinguished gentlemen, We arc
standing and bein. counted sor KJscoe COnklins--
every time.