New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-03-21
POLITICS on TIE PACIFIC COAST.

BLAINE'S POPULARITY IN THE FAR WEST.
TALKS WITH EX-SENATOR MITCHELL, OF OREGON.
AND CONGRESSMAN PAGE OF CALIFORNIA
BLAINE THE FAYORITE CANDIDATE FOR The
PRESIDENCY.
Ex-senator Mitchell Of Oregon, whose term eX'
prcd on the 18th of March, is staying at the liol
man House, and will return to the Pacific coast III
few days. to resume the practice of law in Port
land. Democratic victory last fall won by
mere scratch deprived him of reelection. So close
was the result that the majority for the Democratic
candidate for Governor WAS only al, and 30 RepuD-
lican votes distributed among certain counties
would have changed the complexion of the Legisa-
ture and gwen the Republicans the Senator Talk
with a TRIBUNE reporter on Oregon politics yester-
day. Mr.. Mitchell said:
ave Shall carry the State in 1880 without the
slightest doubt. The Democrats have got into a
family quarrel that will be fatal to them. They
have held possession of the executive department
for eight years. Grover held the Goyernorshp for
six and then turned it to his Secretary of
State. strong opposition to the ofiice-holdlng
ring has grown up in the Democratic party, and it
eliminated III an Investigation ordered by the Leg
lslaure at its last session. A committee OF hNe
WAS Amounted composed of three Democrats, one
Republican and one independent. his committee
reported that the executive branch had spent SD
| 900 without warrant Of law. The Democrats are
/ ~
ing the side OF the committee and some defending
the implicated officials Thus the party Is IN bad
condition to make Eight IN ISoo' ana we Sh'li
have no difficulty in carrying the state"
"Who is your Presidential candidate Is RE
Grant wave running high III Orcgonf-" would
very cheerful support Grant, but my preference Is
decidedly Ior Blame. lie Is one Of natures E0Dlt-
men. Most OF the Oregon Republicans axe Blame
men. His course on the Chinese question las
strengthened him on the Paclilc coast, Dut lie was
How does the Presidential outlook appear to
you g. Ii Grant is nominated think II Will De-
done with "a hurraa and without any contest, all
other candidates withdrawing; but if the Grant
movement should subSdc, then Blaine vii! Lead III
the convention, and his rivals viii try to XIII INN
Off AS they did in 1876 by combining on compare
lively weak That game won't work again,
however. No untricd man Will be nominated III
1850"
Congressman Page of California, who is in the
city for a few days on his way home, gives very
| encouraging account of the Republican prospects
in his State. He said to TRIBUNE reporter ycstcr-
day: owe shall certainly carry three of the four
Congressional d stricts next September, and we
have strong hopes Of carrying them all. Our party
is united and in excellent condition. California
has always been Republican State when there has
been no division III the party on State issues"
1.-THE doubtful district is the San Francisco Dis
rict is 1t not ~" Yes and If the Kearney move
mont amounts to much this year, we snail carry IT.
"What! is Dennis at 1t again p" Oh, yes !;
the Kearneyites are rcorganziug their party,
and Intend to run State and Congressional
tickets. Their movement hurts the Demo
Gratis badly for 1t takes away large share
of the Irish vote We estimate that rs per cent Of
Kearney's followers come from tho Democratic
party Naturally don't feel at all alarmed to see
the sand-lots orator bestirring himself"
"What will be the effect Of the Presidents veto
of the Chinese bill your politics ~" Nothing
serious think. The Democrats will try to make
capital out of 1t, but they will not succeed. The
editorials of the Eastern papers and everything
bearing on the question were telegTaphed 10 our
papers, and people understand the pressure
that was brought to bear upon the President, Be
Sides the veto message was very moderate ana fair
in its tone, and not calculated to arouse anta2Ou-
ism The Chinese question has never been party
issue III California, and 1t cannot be made one
now"
| the next Presidential nomination p" Mr. Blame
has greatly endeared himself to our Pe0-
pie. by his support OF the Chinese DIIli.
candidate III our State. Grant has many
strong friends but the present prospect Is that the
| California delegation to the National Convention
will be unanimous for Blaine. Looking at the whole
field, 1t certainly seems good as settled That the
nominee VIII be either Blaine or Grant. No new
man VIII be taken. The party Will not try another
experiment in that direction"
" Rather an annoying position your State is n to
have no Represenatlye IN the House In rs import
ant session ~ this" If we Lad foreseon the
| extra session we M ght have elected our members
last wear; but thought 1t best to choose them at
the general election for State officers and Leglsla-
| turc. to secure full vote. Our new Consttu-
ton will arrange the elections so we shall not get
into such fix again. If California had been repre-
sented Randall would not have had majority on
| the first ballot. and might have been defeated.
| Mr. Page represents the Middle District, which
comprises the Cities of Sacramento and Oakland or
| did until his term expired two weeks ago. lie VIII
undoubtedly be renOmDated and reelected In
| 1876 his majority was over 1000.