Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-10-28
Blaine and Grant.

Congressman J. C. Burrows of Michigan
was interviewed recently in New York il
regard to the Presidential canvass. The
report of the interview has the following:
'My personal preference for candidate
is Blaine. He is a royal, whole souled man
and is to-day, as he deserves to be, the most
popular of all the republican leaders,
''How do the republicans of your State
feel on the subject?"
"a large majority of them, believe. have
strong preference for Mr.. Blaine. IT,
however, Senator Chandler desires the vote
of the State in the convention, he will OF
course get it. The compliment will help
him to a reelection to the Senate, and
presume he would like it for that reason. -
sis not Chandler a Grant mani"
"Very strongly so, | understand"
''Then if he controls your delegation il
will be turned over to Grant after com
plimentary vote for Chandler"
'Probably--that is, if Grant is candi-
date. But the choice of the masses of the
party in Michigan is Blaine"
''1f Grant is not candidate will the Chan
dler influence be thrown for Blaine?"
'As to that / can't say. | don't know
who is Senator Chambers second choice"
"What do you think of the Grant
'boom'Y'
SIT will eliminate with Grants reception
ut Chicago. We can't tell now how much
of it has reference to his fame as a soldier
and to the honors paid him abroad. and how
much signifies desire to make him Presi-
dent q third time. After the Chicago reunion,
followed perhaps by a few receptions in
Eastern cities, the enthusiasm of welcom-
ing him back home ill be over, and we shall
then know how much political purpose there
is behind these demonstrations. The repub-
lican nomination next year is not going to be
made with a whoop and a hurrah. The So
Der thought of the party will have all the
Winter and Spring to consider carefully the
question of a candidate, and | believe it will
control the convention"
"Do you think Blaine is growing in popu
larity?''
'Yes, very rapidly. His reception in all the
States he has visited this Fall proves that
He is much stronger with the people now
than in 1876. Another thing must be consid-
cred in estimating his prospects-General
Grant can do nothing to increase his popular
ity after the demonstrations welcoming him
back are over: but Mr. Blaine is in the
Senate, and not a week will pass from De-
cember till the convention meets without an
opportunity occurring for him TO say some
thing that will arouse the popular heart. Let
Ben Hill, for instance, say in a speech what
he has just said in his letter, and let Blaine
skin him again, why, the whole North would
ring with his name"
SIS it not probable that the Southern re-
publicans will be able to control the nomna-
ton, and will they not be solid for Grant,"
"They ought to refrain from taking any
part in the contest about candidates until
they see who is the preference of the North
ern delegates. They cannot give the slight
est assistance toward electing the republican
ticket next year. Not a single Southern
State can by any possibility be rescued from
the democrats. The Southern republicans, if
they are wise, will therefore be content to sup
port the man whom majority of the North
ern delegates think can make the best run in
the States we expect to carry"