Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-05-03
The Blaine Boom.

Tic DJdlnc IbOOHs
The Blaine boom has increased in
strength to such adegree that the friends Of
other candidates freely confess that Blaine's
nomination appears probable. We pub
lish in another column letter Dom the
Washington correspondent Of th&Spring-
field Republican, in which the writer
makes known his opinion that Blaine
stands good chance to be nominated, and
gives his reasons for his belief. The Re
publican is bitterly opposed to Blaine, and
therefore the statements are all the more
significant of Mr.. Blaine's strength.
We also find in the Boston Traveller of
Friday eveninga leading article which
argues that the choice Of the convention
must be either Grant or Blaine. For a
Grant paper its statements are strikingiy
ly conclusive as to the strength of Blaine.
1t assumes that the first ballot will stand
about as follows:
Grant 321
Blaine ~.
Sherman, Edmunds and scattering $50
Total 80.
The editor after having presented the
above figures goes on to inquire what
then must happen ?" and answers as fol-
lows "Mr. Blaines following will not
break. That is certain. That Mr.. Blaine S
name will not be withdrawn is, if posi-
bic, more certain. Either one of two
things must take place. Either enough
votes will have TO be transferred from
Sherman and Edmunds to nominate Gen.
Grant. or else his name will be with
drawn from the convention Assume it to
be withdrawn, then WHAT There will be
Mr.. Blaine's 500 votes, roundly speaking,
and they will not break 100 votes added
to them will convert them into nominal
ing majority. Does any sane man doubt
that out of the 327 released Grant votes
Mr.. Blaine would obtain. on the next
ballot less than one-third?
Let us 60 a little further into figures.
figures that nobody disputes. to see what
part of the Grant strength Mr. Blaine is
sure of, if Grants name be withdrawn.
The whole OF the Pennsylvania delegation
substantially, is on record for Blaine as its
second choice. That scores % for Blaine
to begin with, if the Grant column is bro
ken up. In Ohio he has pledged dele
gates, certainly, if break is reached {;
that brings his gain to &C. South Carroll
mas II are pledged to him rs second
choice; that brings his gain to So If
the New York delegation breaks from
Grant, at least 80 of the 20 are known to
be ready to Join the Blaine column; that
gives him 10. OF the Illinois delegation
of ~, if Grant be out of the way. Blaine
will surely get 10; that brings his gain
from the break to l20 There is no need
to go further. Every man who knowns
the alphabet of politics knows that all
over the South, if Grants name is with
drawn, Blaine will be the rallying-crv
He will get a half of the Grant column or
more. if it is ever broken. and that will
nominate him."
Such admissions as the above from the
Traveller and those which appear in the
Springfield epublican-scurces opposed
to the nomination of Mr.. Blaine-are re-
markable TO. say the least Mr.. Blaine's
friends may we'll go forward with the
strongest faith in the nomination of their
favorite when his opposers declare such
opinions as we have quoted,
Turning from these unfriendlv papers
let us now see what a prominent friend of
Mr.. Blaine says, Senator Blair of New
Hampshire, in an interview recently re-
ported by Traveller correspondent.
I. C.-What is your opinion as to the
strength of the candidacy of Blaine and
Grant?
Senator Blair-So far as the prospects of
individual candidates are concerned. | think
Mr.. Blaine is decidedly ahead and constant
ly gaining in all parts of the country. He is
sure of representation among the delegations
from every Southern State. The strength of
Sherman is undoubtedly increasing. I do
not believe in the probability of the nominal
ton of any "dark horse" 1t will be posi-
tive convention at Chicago. and some one who
is known and talked about is certain to be
nominated.
T. C.-Do you consider Blaine strong
candidate?
Senator Blair-Much the strongest candi-
date named to get votes, and his name would
help MS out in New Hampshire better than
any other man; but We shall carry our State
triumphantly, no matter who may be the
nominee.
T. C.-But If Blaine is nominated, won't
the opposition revive the old charges against
him with telling effect?
Senator Blair-The charges made against
Blaine were thoroughly examined and utterly
disproved by the investigating committee
made up of his enemies in the House in 1876,