New-York tribune., 1879-04-28
GREAT POLITICAL ISSUES.
A TALK WITH MURAT HALsTEAD.

CASTING THE PRESIDENTIAL CONrEsT-AN UN-
FoREsEEN DANGER THAT MAY FOLLOW THE
VETO OF THE ARMY BILL.
In general conversation on Saturday in
this city about current issues in politics, Mr..
Murat Halstead, of The Cincinnati Commercial,
gave picturesque sketch Of the recent city
election in Cincinnati, which he regards as
the opening skirmish in the Presidential
campaign. The Republican triumph he
looks upon as an earnest of success in
the struggle for the GOvernOrship in that
State. In regard to the Presidency, he
thinks that Grant may not consent to run ; in
that case Sherman and Blaine will be the
leading candidates. In conclusion he suggests
some of the dangers that may follow a veto
of the Army bill, A dispatch from Columbus
says there is much interest felt in the proba
bility of the President vetOing the Legislative
and Army bills.
AREvIEW OF THE POLITICAL FIELD.
FIRST BLOOD FOR THE REPUBLICANS IL oHIo-TIIE
DEVICES OF TILDEN SHOWN IN THE CINCIN-
NATI Observation-Disclosures PROSPECTS FOR
THE STATE GovERNORsHIP sHERMAN'S
STRENGTH AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
NiCE POINT IN ACTION ON THE ARMY BILL.
Mr.. Murat Halstead was met on Saturday at the
New-York Office of The Cincinnati Commercial in
The Tribune Building by an old newspaper ac-
quaintance. familiar chat on politics followed.
Some of the views expressed by the Western editor
are reported below, but as the conversation is
produced from memory very inadequate justice Is
done to Mr. Halstead's terse and epgrammatic ex-
pressons. Speaking of the recent city election in
Cincinnati and its bearings on National politics, he
said
1T was the most severely contested municipal
election we ever had. 1t came on like storm in
its excitement ard intensity. The Democrats had
a better ticket than they ever put up before ana
they were as well organized as q standing army.
They had all the money they wanted, and paid it
out ayisby, that they got pretty much the whole
floating vote Yet they were beaten on the simple
proposition that the country cannot afford TO be sub
ject to the Confederate caucus. We had precisely
the issue that the extra session of Congress places
before the whole country. Very little said for
or against any of the candidates. 1t was o square
National fight"
"Had the Democrats an ulterior purpose bearing
upon the Presidential election in making such an
effort to carry the cityW
"Yes; it was plain enough. Their plan was to get
control of the police force, maintain that on the
Board of Public Works, and by converting them
into political machinery carry our corner of the
County in their hands they could secure the next
Legislature and the next United States Senator.
and, they imagined carry the State for their Presi
Dental candidate next year. Their battle was for
the State 1t was clearly defined was ever
military position 1t is thought that Uncle Sammy
Tilden had something to do with planning the
fight.p
"How does that appearW
TLDEN's HAND on THE WIRES.
Judge Hoadley, who presided over the Demo-
cratic nominating convention, is a well-known
Tilden man. He made a speech last Winter in
which he managed to introduce Tilden's name so
as to provoke applause, and Thurman's name SO as
not to stimulate any such demonstration. 1t was a
quest on at the time whether this the art of the
orator or the sentiment of the boys. 1t is the gos-
sip that Hoadley wrote the platform, and managed
to put the campaign into such shape that if it
resulted In victory it would be victory for Iilden.
and if in defeat it would be defeat for Thurman.
They did not talk turkey to Thurman at ALL The
crow was to fall to his share in any case. Hoadey,
watchful people out our way say, came on to New
York Just before the election. and the boys have
assumed that the journey had some reference to the
old mans barrel. Colonel Len Harris, who was
down on the Democratic scheme for Mayor and
10 manage the police force, engineered the cleo
ton of Peadeton To the Senate. Although the rela
tions of Pendleton and Thurman are friendly, aud
they are under obligations to each other 1t is hardly
natural that Pendletons friends should be so'citous
that another Ohio Democrat should get ahead of
hlm in the race for the Presidency, which he
tered long ago. Perhaps L am talking too much
about our Cincinnati election, but feel that it
the opening tight of the Presidential struggle, and
believe that the victory, If wisely utilized, will
make Ohio quite safe for the Republicans. They
owe their success, in large measure, to one man.
We discovered a bold and bright little engineer
named Jake Wirth, who developed as much talent
for organization as the famous John G. Thompson.
He put the Republican party III splendid shape.
Had il not been for Jacob we shouldn't have won
the eectIonp
TIE REPUBLICANS AND THE GovERNoRsHIP
"It is only month now before your State Con-
yention and the question of q candidate must have
got into pretty definite shape. Is Taft going to be
nOmnatedP
There is considerable opposition to him, but l
think hardly enough to beat him. His opponents
are not affirmative. They are merely opposed to
him. and they are pushing no candidate of their
own Their ostensible ground of hostility is his de-
cision as to Bbe-reading in the schools; but there
is no. doubt some disposition among the great men
of Ohio not to allow another great man TO grow up.
They are apprehensive that Taft should be elected
Governor he might not refuse to be candidate for
the Senate"
"Wouldn't the same apprehension apply to
Charley Foster % -
"Not so strongly. Taft, you know, was candi-
date against Stanley Mat tthews 1t is unlucky that
our contest for Governor s so often mixed up WITH
n Senatorial canvass This was what defeated
Moves and elected Allen. TafHs weakness is the
want of q strong man TO run with him on the
ticket az a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, who
wonld be regarded rs good man TO take tho Ex-
ecutiye chair In Taft should go To the Senate
Taft and Foster would make strong team, but 1t
il generally thought Foster would not run for
Lieutenant-Goyernor."
"ls the Tadt movement hostile to Garteldp
al think some of Garleld's friends naturally see