The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-02-18
The Presidency.
Gossip About Candidates.

the surface in PIG out of 267 who have an
swered. The Chicago Times covers page and
over of its space with the results OF interviews
with over 5000 Republicans in Illinois, the poll
standing Blaine 1882. Grant 2895, Washburne
1864 and Sherman 24. Nearly all the votes
for Washburne are from Germans. In a re-
turn less extensive but Of the same character,
from Indiana published by the Cincinnati En-
quirer, Blaine has about the same lead, but
Sherman shows larger relative strength.
The Non. John NJ. Francis, of Troy, N. Y,
says that of the Republicans of New York
State nine-tenths are favorable to the nomina-
ton of Gen. Grant. "Mr. Plaine has some
strength in Watertown," said Mr.. Francis
land Mr.. Sherman in New York city. Out.
side of the city Sherman is hardly talked about
My opinion is that the Utica Convention will
be much more unanimous for Grant than the
Pennsylvania Convention was. resolution
to instruct for Grant may be offered in the Uti-
ca Convention, but hardly think it will be
necessary. The Republicans Of New York are
for Grant in preference to Blaine, Sherman or
anybody else. At the Cincinnati Convention
in 1876, If remember correctly, but one dele-
gate from New York opposed Mr.. Conking's
nomination, and that delegate was Mr. George
William Curtis. 1t may be that one or more
delegates may go to Chicago who will oppose
Grants nomination., however"
The Chicago Times, speaking OF the reports
of its probable position in the coming Presden-
tial campaign, says: "The Times expects to
support-so far as it shall support anybody-a
choice Of evils, and it sincerely hopes the les
ser evil will not be Gen. Grant. Still, it may
be. The Democracy may put forward great
er evil. The Times will support no man OF
either party who is not sound on the financial
question and on the Southern question. This
may be stated with confidence. Further than
| "a I'M RAJ mot Tf MIL ear
which party label be ON this man or that man;
it will support, in common with all indepen-
dent voters, the better man."
A Tribune interview with William z.
Chandler reads thus:
"Are you willing to express your views and
opinions relative to the Republican Presiden-
tial nomination."
Perfectly willing. There will be an ami
mated and exciting contest in the Convention,
especially if Gen. Grant is a candidate; but the
almost inevitable result, it seems to me, will be
the nomination of Mr.. Blaine"
"What do you think of Senator Blanos pop
| ularity in the various sections as compared
| with 1892"
1T has increased in many parts of the coun-
| try, while do not think it has diminished
| anywhere There has been an apparent move
ment for Grant in some of the West ern States
| which in 1876 were for Blaine; but it is subsid-
| ing, and the same western enthusiasm which
gave Blaine his great force at Cincinnati is re-
ser ing itself, and, believe, will roll into the
| e. ic go convention with greater volume than
before; if It does, nothing can defeat his nomi-
| nation. He is stronger in New England than
| in 1876; in New York will show increased
| strength, while in Pennsylvania the popular
| enthusiasm for him is as complete and gratify-
| ing as it is spontaneous. 1t may be again par
| TALLY smothered, but not so successfully as it
| was in 1876. The men who crushed it then
| have reaped bitter harvest of humiliation;
they will not try it so vigorously again"
But if the Democracy are so desperately
bent ON ravishing the Presidency, how do you
expect Republican victory"
"Simply by arousing the North to the real
| danger, and securing victory so great that
| even rebel Democrats in Congress will not dare
| attempt to reverse it. Rallying the North, we
| can carry every Northern State; and when it
becomes evident sixty days before election that
we are to dc this we may also carry Florida,
| Louisiana, South Carolina, Nor:h Carolina,
| Virginia and Tennessee, some or AL of them.
| Murders of Republicans and also false count
| ing, now the favorite Southern method, will
| measurably diminish when it is seen that they
| are to be of no avail"
A Tribune reporter had an intervi' w with
| Gen. Graham just after the Sherman meeting
in New York. The following is the conversa-
| tion:
"Did you not expect larger meeting, Gen.
eral?" asked the reporter.
mo; we could not have much larger one
as only twenty-five gentlemen were invited.
OF these about twenty have attended, and this
is very good for Saturday evening meeting"
'Then why did you adjourn it to Saturday.
"Well, there was very little reason to ad
| A hat bava igt,f
might have been done at the previous meeting
but business men, you see, like to do things
carefully. 1t was thought wiser to give these
resolutions further consideration and cool dis
cussion before adopting Them"
1 What other steps shall ynn take?'
None at present, except the ordinary ones in
order to increase the number of members"
''Shall you not send committee to the Uti-
ca Convention?'' s5 b hofasar
| "No.r We shall send out printed papers In
reference to sherman. and endeavpr TO infiu-
ence public opinion in that way but shall not
doanything TO oppose or interfere with any
i other candidate?" ssss "a st e ,as- - =, :,
/ "Was the meeting unanimous for Sher-
MANI" re srta4.5l1lae1e 3 s - 1.7iai ia.r,s 5f
"Unanimous." - srr s5Ie 49, =
'Who is the meetings. second choice?' 4. ).
"They had 10 second choice. That point
~
| meeting to consider the advis;sbility of nomi-
Mating Sherman ss a Presidential candidate,
and we passed series of resolutions to that ef-
feet. There are , of course, great many other
influential gentlemen interested in this proce-
dure, but for various causes-sone because
they we're afraid of getting their names i'm the
papers they do not come forward publicly"
"What do you think of Sherman's chances.
| on the whole?' ~ !
II think they are very good. In New York
especially he would be largely supported. He
| would carry his own State, Ohio, easily, aud
has great strength in Michigan, Wisconsin
and other Northwestern and Western States"
1T is thought that Blaine has large follow
ing there"
ESQ he has. Blaine, all must admit. has
the CALI at present, but one never knows how
these things are going to turn out. Look at
| Bristow, who went into the Convention with
! hundred votes; and also Conkling, who had
similar number. and yet never got beyond it.
That was splendid idea of the Trbunes for
obtaining the feeling in Pennsylvania, and so
simple, too. 1t will help Blaine very much,
of course, but you will notice that very large
majority of the names you have already pub
lished are for Sherman as second choice. i
honestly believe Secretary Sherman has fair
chance"
f. l.. Tallcott, in reply to questions by the
reporter, said "There was no particular dis
cussion at the meeting and the name OF no
other candidate was mentioned. believe
Sherman's chances are improving. I notice
I
state of opinion in Pennsylvania, that Sher-
man was generally tho second choice. 1 think
it will be the same in the New England
| States.'
The Cincinnati Commercial advises the
Chicago Inter Ocean to put plug in its Grant
whistle till it is fairly out of the woods and
the latter replies that it expects, before six
months, to see its aniable contemporary pull
the cotton out of its ears, and with its mouth
full of cold crow, follow meekly in the path
pointed out by the loyal masses of the nation.
"A steers tail may switch, and the hind legs
may kick viciously, but they always follow
! the horns to pasture"
Gov. Ludington, of Wisconsin says: 81 am
in favor of Blaine against Grant was in fa-
, vor of Grant for his first term, but after that
; didn't want him for President. OF course IL
he is nominated will vote for him in pref
, erence to Democrat, but don't want to see
him elected. Wisconsin WILL think, &C
, against Grant and will probably support