New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-23
UNEXPECTED DEsERTIONs.


TFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBUEE.l
Boston, Sept 21.-The political problem in Mas
sachusetts is as complicated as an algebraic equa-
ton with four unknown quantities. No less tina
four separate political organizations have already
held conventions and put tickets in the field, and
still another, the regular straght-out Democracy,
is TO meet at Fanueil Hall .next Wednesday 1t is
not easy, under these circumstances, to form any
opinion in regard to the outlook of the contest in
| the State, and the best that correspondent can
do Is to report, as carefully as possible, what the
signs of the times are, and leave his readers to
draw their own conclusions.
One of the most encouraging signs of the CAM
paign thus far is the sudden going to pieces of the
Butler ticket nominated at Worcester last Tuesday.
1t really looks as though the rats beginning to
leave the sinking ship. First, q member of the
State Committee appointed by the convention gives
notice that he cannot serve because he is not in
sympathy with the Butler movement. Then the
Hon. ID. N. Skillings who was nominated for the
State Treasurership writes to the newspapers that
the use of his name entirely unauthorized by
him, and that when officially informed Of his nomi
nation he shall decline Mr. Skillings improves the
opportunity 10 give the Butler people few words
of sound advice. After admitting the hardships
and poverty which many Of the people OF Massa-
chusetts have bad TO endure, he says: but
the means proposed to right them. as indi-
Gated by the tone Of their (the cOnvention'sl
doings. OF to better the condition Of the working
man woman, utterly ignore; and l advise all
who think that they immediately legislate
good things, to consider that the real capital OF
this any other country lies in good, honest labor,
which, with temperate, industrious and economical
habits will right all their wrongs Ii was really
worth while for the Butler Convention 70 have
nominated Mr. Skillings if for other reason than
because 1t gave him an opportunity to write such
letter as that from which Ihaye quoted. Massachu-
sets needs plenty Of just such plain talk and the
more of il that is heard from influential Democrats,
the better. There will be no lack Of sound instruc-
ton from Republican sources.
The next dcserter Is j. Boyle O'Reilly, the young
| Irish poet who very wisely chooses 10 hold on to
the bird IN the hand his editorial position than TO
trade il off for the very uncertain bird in the bush
the State Authorship 1t is also reported that the
Hon. Caleb Gushing will decline General Buffers
nomination for the Attorney -Generalship and that
James Riley an untamed young Irish Communist
will be named by the State Committee in his place
| Incongruous as the ticket was when Il came from
the hands of the Worcester Convention, It is likely
| TO be much moro so when the vacancies have been
filled. IL will not gain strength in the process Of
| amendment.
ought not TO leave this branch Of the subject
without word in reference 10 the withdrawal of
Mr. Tarbox from the list Of candidates for Congress
! in the WITH District Of this State. Mr. Tarbox was
one Of those unhappy Democrats who had gone so
far in committing themselves 10 the support of Gen
eral Butler, before they went TO Worcester, that
| they were unable 10 back out when the split came
| They never contemplated leaving the regular Dem
ocratic organization, aud when they were suddenly
called upon 10 choose between Butler and their
| -. h.A, Ill
aud the deep sea. Mr.. TarboI chose the former,
and the result is that within two days after the adj
journment Of the convention he Is forced to with
draw from the Congressional contest. His words
are really paintiye. did you desire IT," he says
IN letter 10 the Democrats Of his district, and
were il clear that my further candidacy would DO
useful 10 the political interests together cherish
| l should not decline the service. . Our
cause clear to ever, doesnot need me as acan-
didate. and you will therefore select another for
that responsible and honorable post"
Another significant feature of General Buffers
very remarkable canvass for the nomination is his
omission to discuss before his audiences in this
State the financial issue in any of its forms. OF to
! allow it 20 be mentioned in the platform of the
| Worcester Convention. To one not in the secrets
OF this new party ITS leader. silence on question
of such vital Importance like confession of
weakness The repeated assertion by General But
Ter and his friends that State issues alone in
| yolyed in the November election IN Massachusetts,
| ia "too thin to deceive anybody with particle of
| discernment General Butler himself discussed the
| currency question very deliberately In n speech
which he made in Maine, about a month ago and
only yesterday he spoke at length on the same sub
ject in Indianapolis The elections in Maine and
Indiana are no more National In their character this
year than that in Massachusetts,. In all three,
Members Of Congress are, or were, to be chosen,
who may hold the balance of power between the
| Republican and Democratic parties in the
next House of Representatives, and whose
votes may help to make or break two-thirds
majority for imitation. II General Butler beloved
that his particular notions on finance were popular
in Massachusetts, and that the discussion Of them
would win him more votes than it would drive
away, you may be sure that he would have nothing
TO say about the currency questions being one of
National and not of State politics.
| One of the most plausible explanations that
have heard Of General Buffers refusal to accept the
financial question of the issues of the present
contest is his supposed intention to trade with the
Democratic party giving to its candidates for Con-
press such support as he can command among his
followers In return for quasi support Of his State
ticket or at least for neglect to make any effective
| canvass against him. His PLAN rs have heard 1t
explained is to say to the Democratic leaders IN the
several Congressional Districts: =" We won't quar-
rel about this currency question: the State officers
of Massachusetts, have nothing whatever TO do with
Il and the opinions of candidates on State
tickets about finance are matters OF SUI
preme indifference. Now If you will indirectly help
me through you may maintain your regular Or
Qanization, and you need not indorse my nomina-
ton, while will do what lies In my power to pre-
vent any third candidates from being put in nomi-
nation against those whom you may select, and
thus guarantee your Democratic nominees for Con-
oress the substantial support of the Greenbaok and