New-York tribune., 1879-11-27
THE GRANT ROOM.
VIEWS OF RICHARD SMITH on IuE PROSPECTS FOL
THIRD TERM-TnE PEOPLE AND THE MACHINE


VIEWS OF RICHARD SMITH on 1HE PROSPECTS foH
THIRD TERM-THE PEOPLE AND THE MACHINE
POLITICIANS.
1t is not often that the rugged. genial face of
Richard Smith. the veteran Editor of that veteran
Republican newspaper, The Cincinnati Gazette,
is seen in New-York. or, indeed anywhere out
side of his Office. He came to the city
Tuesday business Of the Western Associated
Press. and leaves to-day. OF course he was asked
by a TRIBUNE representative for his views TO the
Presidential outlook He thought the Grant move
ment still strong. at Chicago" he said, at
the big demonstration IN Grants honor. found
the politicians either opposed to the third term
idea or lukewarm, but they all recognized
the fact that the people were taking
the bits In their mouths, and were likely
TO run away with their machines If they
should openly antagonze Grant. The state
of affairs reminds me Of 1874. In that year, while
the politicians were organizing against Lincoln
the people were organizing for him. The strength
of the Grant movement, in my judgment. lies in the
alarm of the old Republican elements at the menac-
ing attitude of the South and the apprehension
that the Democratic Congress intends 10 make the
next President. no matter how the election goes"
Mr.. Smith was asked IL he did not think Grant
would be a weak candidate for the Republicans to
nominate. because of the feeling that it would be
ored and because of the hostility TO him of large
body of independent voters. who might turn the
scale III favor of the Democrats by refraIning from
voting: o,,,o., % ,vos,,turno .,o DIV
in Chicago" he replied, and he said that for
every vote Grant lost IN this way he would gam
two from the undecided element and the Demo-
Gratis"
:" But what is your own opinion, Mr.. Smith ~
81 do not agree with Washburne. l should re-
gard Grants election as by no means certain. The
German element Is hostile to ANYTHING that
looks like imperial ISM They favor frequent
elections and a change OF men In power;
Nearly all Of them arc strongly opposed
to giving General Grant a third term. without the
Germans we cannot carry Ono do NOT see where
we could turn for votes to make up for their loss,
unless 1t were to the Democratic party, and that
would be very untrnstworthy source III a heated
Presidential canvass"
Do you place any reliance III the stories OF
Southern support Tor Grant T.
know there are many Confederate soldiers who
would be glad to support him If they cOuld break
down the rule of the bOurbons, but no movement
for breaking the soidiy of the South Will ripen
as soon next year. We may have chance OF
carrying Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee.
and we ought, think TO make an active canvass in
tbose States next year. but we cannot count on a
single electoral vote from the south"
"Our Southern Republican friends though they
can do nothing to elect President. going to
have big power in nominating one next year"
Yes, that is matter have been writing about
of late. believe the National Republican Com
mittee shosld guard against the nomination Of u
any electoral votes. 1t should either adopt
the ,two-thlrds rule Of the Democrats
or should give representation In proportion
TO the votes cast for Republican candi-
dates at the last State elections. Under present
rule, If the Southern delegates act together they
will need only AZ votes from the North to nominate
their candidate"
"To return to General Grant. What do You think
is the probability of his becoming candidate I"
81 have good reason TO think that II he Is offered
employment which Is lucrative. honorable ana per-
manent in it's nature. ne Will not accept PresIden-
tlal nomination. He wants business suited to his
high position rather than ufice.'
"You arc making an effort to have the Republi-
can Convention held IN Cincinnati, are you not y
"Yes: 1t ought to he held there. We have the only
good hall tor the purpose In the conn
can be used committee rooms and
state headquarters, that the convention and all
its adjuncs could be practical y under one roof.
Then our loc Is the most central OF any great
city, aud our hotel accommodations ample"