New-York tribune., 1880-02-06
original Grant men appeared TO come from Ale
gheny County. from Canerons county Of Dauphin,
and from the counties along Junista. E.y.s.
COMMENTS IN WASHINGTON.
THE RESULT AT HARRISBURG CONSIDERED AS VERY
FAR FROM BEING FAVORABLE TO GRANT-MANY
IMPRESSIONS OF OPINION.

vania Republican Convention has been the leading
topic OF conversation among politicians OF both par
ties IN Washington to-day. Among members of the
House of Representatives the general opinion ap-
pears to be that the result shows that General
Grants strength as candidate is waning, OF that 1t
was never so great as many thought. good many
members express surprise at the strength developed
in the Convention by the friends of Mr. Blaine, and
they declare that if anybody won victory it was
the Maine Senator.
There are not many pronounced Grant men
among Republicans in the House. and most of those
who favor his nomination do so IN an apologetc
sort of way 1t is singular fact, and yet it is un-
doubtedly true that in the House of Representa-
tives there are quite as many if not more. Demo-
Gratis who desire General Grant nominated than
there are Republicans who feel the same way. The
Democrats appear to be governed by two main con-
sderatons in this preference. good many OF
them, who believe that the Republicans will elect
their candidate prefer General Grant to any other
Republican but by far the greater proportion of
Democrats want General Grant nominated because
they believe he would be an easy man to beat. All
of the Democrats appear to regret that General
Grants Endorsement by the Pennsylvania Conven-
| ton won by meagre majority, because they
interpret 1t to mean that he has but slim chance
to win the nomination at Chicago.
A TRIBUNE correspondent has to-day gathered the
opinions of several Representatives and others on
the action at Harrisburg yesterday.
A prominent Democrat from the interior OF Penn
sylvania said this morning "The result shows
that while the Convention was for Grant the peo-
pie are for Blame. In my county lCentrel the
County Convention did not instruct the delegates
to the State Convention for Blaine but they did
adopt. by an overwhelming majority resolution
expressing their preference for HIM as a candidate.
The two delegates went 10 Harrisburg and voted
with Cameron"
Congressman Fisher of Pennsylvania, said 81
do not think Mr. Blane's friends have any reason TO
feel disappointed at the result TO look upon it as
a defeat. Every county that is for Blaine will be
represented at Chicago by Blaine men, Nme-tenths
of all the Grant IN the State are for Blaine as
second choice. In my own county the convention
expressed preference for Blaine but the delegates
who went to the State Convention voted with Mr..
Cameron. / think they did right under the crcum-
stances 1t was necessary in order to preserve the
party organization"
Said Congressman Chalmers. of Mississippi: Il
am sorry the Grant boom appears to be subsidng.
If Republican is TO be elected would rather have
Grant than any one else"
Representive WhitthOrne, of Tennessee, also ex-
pressed his regret that the majority in favor of Gen
era Grant was slim. He said: 1--WE will be sat
is one of those who believe that General Grant will
be weak candidate for the Republicans. Several
other Democrats expressed themselves to the same
effect.
A leading New-York Congressman, who desired
that his name should not be used said that he
looked upon the action OF the Convention a vir-
tua defeat for General Grant. IT," said he " Cen
eral Grants friends could carry the party in Penn
sylvania only by a majority of twenty, after all
the energy and influence that have been used in lis
behalf how can Aey expect to succeed in other
States. where such energy and influence are
wanting?"
Mr. FRYE of Maine said that he was surprised at
the strength developed by Mr.. Blaine's friends in
the Convention. He had not expected il in view of
the great efforts made by Senator Cameron. and Of
the fact that Senator Baine's friends had not
sought to bind the delegation by instructions in his
favor.
Mr.. Willis of Michigan, said " / do not think it
ia q Grant BOOM 1t was too close thing alto
gether Grant will not be nominated unless the
honor comes t. him without the asking as 1T did IN
1865 and 1872 He Will never accept if the nomi-
nation forced by the machine rs 1t was in Penn
sylvania yesterday. say this not as an opponent
of Grant but simply a. an outsider, looker-on!P
Mr.. Valentine, of Nebraska, is a new man, but he
is an active worker and brought himself into notice
against the Appropriations Committee. He said Il
do not like to say anything about the Pennsylvania
Reoublicans Ny State is for Grant, can at least
saw and Blaine for second choice. do not believe,
however that Grant will accept nomination which
s TO be struggled for. II may be that the Pennsyl-
| vania experiment may help Blaine, who was a
formidable second"
| Mr.. Keifer. of Ohio, said: 81 do not think the
result at Harrisburg at all favorable TO Grant
There was entirely too much machine work and TOO
| httle spOntanety. 1t has been said by Grants
friends over and again, that he would not ac-
| cent the place unless it to him unasked From
what know of Grant believe this is true, and
do not believe he will accept a nomination
he has to fight for. He will not go into the Con-
| vention with fight on his hands. On
| the other hand, / do not think the indica-
t;ons are particularly favorable TO Blaine
| II IA evident that his friends put forth all his
strength 1t is likely that the Blaine men of 1876
| are Blaine men still. and we all know how strong
| he was then. But he beaten. and probably
| will be again. In my opinion the man who is
| IEelv 70 be selected is neither Grant nor Blaine
| but John Sherman, or a man who has not been
| named yet"
| General McCoOk was very non-committa. He
! said "a do not want to say anything about It, /
susnect however that New-Yor1 viii follow suit"
| Mr. Hayes of Illinois, said: " do not think the
Pennsylvania instruction to go for Grant is to be
| nterpreted as favorable TO him. II was simply a
| tr;umph for the Cameron Ring. The Blaine strength
s very large but it doesn't follow that he Will make
| n formidable showing"
Mr. Deering, of Iowa, said: "1f the decision OF
the Harrisburg Convention to instruct for Grant
| should have any effect upon the subsequent State
| Conventions, or any influence in determining the
' question of candidacy in the Republican party at
4 chicago tlrat influence will he adverse 10 those who
| have sought TO force as think unwisely, an ex-
preston at this time. The effect OF that move
,ucnt is likely to be reacOnary upon the candidate
| whose interests have sought to be advanced"
Mr. sapp, of Iowa, said :" think the CSnyen-
| t;on " as called early purpose TO manufacture
| conitoi for Grant The general impression here is
thpt the effort has failed and that the result will