The New York herald., 1879-02-24
''The Pivotal stste''Interviews with
New York Congressmem.

interesting collectlon OF interviews Win tue
! Senators and Assemblymen at Albany OF
both political parties. Those interviews
disclosed so surprising unanimity on
some capital points, and so near an ap-
proach to unanimity on some others, that 1t
seemed worth while to test the opinions
pairing them with those which are enter
tanned on the same points by the
gentlemen of both political parties who
represent the State at the national
capital. We have accordingly sought the
views of all, and have succeeded in obtain
ing the views Of most of the New York
members of Congress. They will be Pc
rused with curious interest by all who ap-
preciate the potent influence likely to be
exerted by this State in the next Presiden-
tial election.
There are several Of the New York men,
bers who declined to commit themselves at
present, alleging that it is too early to open
the next Presidential canvass. This simply
means that these gentlemen are waiting "to
see which way the cat will jump" and
are unwilling to do anything which
might impair their standing with the
successful candidates of their own
party. No intelligent politician can fail
to perceive that the public sentiment
of both parties is already shaping itself
with q view to the next Presidential contest.
The New York election of the present year
will go very tar toward deciding The ma
tional result in 1880, and although some
uimid politicians may prefer to wait and
hold aloof the currents Of popular feeling
are already setting in the direction of the
channels in which they are likely to flow in
the spring of next year.
In comparing the views of the New York
members of Congress with those Of the
members of tho New York Legislature we
discover considerable differences be-
tween the political atmosphere of
Washington and that of Albany.
The general drift of opinion is SIM
liar, but on some points of the deep
est interest there is less decision as we'll as
less unity of views among New Workers at
the national capital, where minds are acted
upon by q greater variety Of conflicting in
huences.
The Albany interviews showed an un-
broken unity of expectation that General
Grant will be the next republican candidate
for the Presidency, an expectation equally
shared by his own party and the democrats.
At Washington there is no such agreement
among the republican members Of Con-
gress. While they all speak respectfully
and even admiringly Of General Grant
there seem to be as many Blaine men among
them az Grant men. Other candidates are
mentioned Secretary Sherman slightingly,
and Vice President Wheeler has one vigor-
Gus supporter. But those who favor Mr..
Blaine speak of him with Jealous warmth
amounting to enthusiasm. 1t is universally
conceded that Mr.. Conkling will not be a
Of Senator Blaine attest the recent and sue
cessful activity of his friends III advocating
his claims. as we'll as the personal magnet
ism Of this republican favorite. Curious
persons may be disposed to ask whether re-
publican opinion in Albany simply falls
behind republican opinion in Washing
ton and represents q phase which
prevailed at the national capital sew
eral weeks ago, or whether there is
settled diversity. If the present Albany
opinion is the mere reflex of past Wash
ington opinion the Albany view may
change before the close of the session.
The Washington interviews suggest the
possibility that MIR. Blaine is making head
way and may become formidable COM
petitor OF General Grant.
ASregards the democratic candidate the
opinions at Washington do not materially
differ from those recently expressed ut
Albany. Although there is some diversity
in both capitals there is a marked prepon-
derance Of republican expectation that
Mr. Tilden will be the democratic can
didate, and on the democratic side pre-
ponderating preference as well as expecta-
ton. This is truly remarkable in view of
all the noise and scandal which attended the
cipher dispatches. This isl virtual conces-
sion that Mr.. Tilden has passed through the
furnace unharmed, or ut least unconsumed,
although the smell of fire may be upon his
garments. He not only holds up his head
and boldly asserts his innocence, but even
his political adversaries allow that he is not
disabled as a candidate. This is O great
deal more than could have been expected
two months ago.
As to gubernatorial candidates there is o
much wider diversity OF opinion among the
New York Congressman than among the
| members of the Legislature. The pros-
poets of Mr.. Hiscock do not seem good
in the light of these fresh inter-
views. 1t is asserted that he has no strong
following, and it is urged as fatal objec-
ton to him that he deserted his party in the
Greeley campaign. With the "stalwart''
tendencies which are developing in the
party Mr. Hiscock's chances would seem to
| be slender. although he has one or two