New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-04
MASSACHUSETTS, POLITICS.
CANnmNTEs nor mn GOvERNoRsHIP.


TrRoM Az OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rEiBuNrI
BosTON, July 2-This midsummer heat is oppreS-
sive enough II would seem. without the added dis
comfort OF politics; but certain journals IN tins city
have threatened 20 aCgravate the situation by a
premature opening Of the State canvass. Last years
campaign, which IN many respects was more bitterly
prosecuted than any other within the memory Oh
the present generation, was not begun until the
Summer was nearly az an end and excited little in
terest until the September conventions had MADE
their nominations Now, however, although the
date of holding preliminary caucuses Is stu TWO
months removed, there Is much discussion here
abou the selection Of the Executive candidates ana
politicians are already testing their wires to see II
their puppets are in good working order. IL is even
announced that the Prohbitoniss, who, in spite of
their ayowed prediction Tor cold water are CON
staptly in hot water among themselves and at
chronic loggerheads with everybody else, will hold
their convention before the present month is over;
and DR.. Miner, the leading candidate of last year
and tie president of the Massachusetts Temperance
Alliance. Is out with his customary address, which
is full Of is usual intolerance and bitterness and
would doubtless largely contribute to the defeat Of
the party If its were not already out OF the
question. II is pity that the temperance doctrines
of the party cannot exert saving grace over the
language Of its supporters. but there many who
believe that the total abstinence principle is the
ONLY one that can make their speech tolerable.
There seems TO be no good reason why the politi-
cal struggle Of the year should be thus early pre-
cipitated upon the long-sutiering people OF the
State but so long as General Butler appears as n
prominent figure in the race for the Governors
chair we shall probably never be free from excite
ment and apprehension. There are many otherwise
sefcontained persons who quite lose their heads at
sight Of the Essex statesmans porly figure, and in
whose estimation his unmatched eyes CLEAN with
baleful fire and while the opinion generally pre-
walls that he VIII again offer himself q candidate
these eXctable souls are constantly in cold sweat
of apprehension. Without rejecting upon the com
peteness of his defeat last year, they perceive only
the fact that he found 100000 men to vote for him,
and are filed with fear lest the next election shall
show an even larger support. There are many Tea-
sons for surprising that General Butler will fail TO
retain the support which he enjoyed last November.
The political year of 1873 was an exceptional
one in this State as well In many other States,
and from peculiar combination of circumstances
which do not exist at present, Butler gained en-
couragement. and came nearer to success than he
ever can come again. The opening OF the canvass
found tine Republican party Of Massachusetts di-
vided upon the matter of President Hayess policy
the majority indeed supporting him, but consd-
cradle part disagreenG with his motives and meth
DDS There was also bitter discussion in the Dem
ocratic camp; the rank and file taking up arms for
Butler 10 the great disgust of their arStocratic
leader who knew nothing but pure and undefled
Democracy. The widespread rayages of the Green
back epidemic and the entire prostration Of the
conservative State of Maine, led many to con-
clude that the whole country to be at the mercy
of financial heresy and drew out from all the other
parties those who are perpetually self-Seeking, and
have an itching after Office for its sake. About
this time also, the growing suspicion with which
labor and capital had long regarded each other
eliminated IN an intense antagonism, and troubles
Of all SORTS seemed imminent. Moreover, there was
a loud cry for retrenchment and reform in State
government, and the demand made for men in
power who should be unswayed by interest or fear.
General Buffers opportunity had come and with
that calm assurance and ability to adapt himself TO
suddenly changing requirements which are among
ms most prominent characteristics, he at once
stepped forward TO champion all these widely differ
ing complaints. He had masqueraded in many
strange costumes in his time, but In none was he
SO lmuressive as IN the shTcds and patches of Re
form Democracy, an apostle Of the new scheme of
financial salvation, an ayeuger of oppressed labor,
and the inspiration of TetTcnchment and purity IN
the affairs Of State government Such seaTecrow
as this should have frightened away voters instead
of attracting them; but so desperate had many be-
come that they were willing to welcome even such
a creature as this, IN the belief that at all events
things could become no worse than they were.
This wear, however. no such conditions exist.
The Republicans OF the State have no fears of the
Presidents stanchness in view of his recent yetOes
of the revolutionary measures of a Southern Con-
gress, and are unit in his support the Democrats,
having discovered that Buffers influence in the
State was largely oyer-estmated, and being ex-
tremey bitter against him for the hIgh-handed
way in which be captured their conve ntion at
Worcester, mean to show him no tavOrs; the sue
cess Of Secretary Shermaus financial schemes, and
the consequent decline OF the Greenback move
ment have given quetus 10 the ntduonlsts IN
+he State and the moderate but steady improve
ment of business in most quarters has produced
pleasautcr feeling between EMPLOYERS ana ompioved
True. there at present huge strike OF dissatisfied
wOrkingn at Fall River, but Its influence Is only
local, and IN our manufacturing towns generally
there Is satisfaction and good feeling
In view OF this state OF things-whlch few who
are weii-IniOTmcd politically VIII quesuon-sOine
doubt has been expressed IN many quarters II Butler
would appear a. a candidate tins year. lie has
rnucb poorr prospect of success than he had year
ago and the better sentiment of the peOpie-and
that can still be relied upon In Massachusetts,
solidly opposed TO him. He long ago lost the comb
dence which mi ht have been ielt IN nun as man,
aud his Wild espousa of the most egregl0us social
and financial schemes has quite undermined ms
credit a. q politician. He ought 70 perceive tins,
but hs probably does not IN spite OF the punt mint
which the last election furnished lie has always
had the credit of being sharp" and shrewd and
although he may be both IN q certain sense, he Is
not far-scelug or intelligent. His very Shrewdness
has been his bane again and agaln, ana he Is pretty
sure to ovorrcach himself If left alone. HIS great
mistake last year was the forCble capture Of Me-
chanirs' Hall IA Worcester, and his acceptance of
the nomination OF trump convention. What
his bunder viii be this wear remains To be seen,
but ne val. doubtless commit some other quite as
costly. "
There is not much reason to doubt that Governor
Talbot who has DISTINGUISHED himself as more OF a
reformer than the politicians had bargained for,
will be- called upon to accept denomination IRON
the Republican party. In the trying position winch
he has occupied, and in the tnaBklcss work OF re-
Srltn nXnenNInres. he has acquitted