The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-02-11
NIGER SOIL

On the Contest for the Presidency-Hen-
bricks Holds the Cards. If He Possesses
Sufficient Nerve to Play Them Properly.
lChicago Special 10 the Enquirer, Jan. 81
In an interview with Colonel Robert G.
Ingersoll on the presidential question the
famous free thinker said OF the situation In
Washington:
They are all looking after their chances.
Every one has his lightning rod away up in
expectation of a presidential stroke, and is
afraid to vote even to adjourn lest in some
way his chances should be Injured"
Asked about Maine, Ingersoll replied that
the turn OF affairs in that State gave Blaine
boost He added that Maine and Vermont
were cycling each other jealously Vermont
seemed 10 have its breath taken away at the
suggestion that any thing new or great could
come from down IN Name or New Hamp-
shire. Ingersoll expressed the opinion that
nobody would be nominated by reclamation
at the Chicago convention. Blaine would
have the most votes on the first ballot. get
ting them from four New England States.
: Pennsylvania, Iowa, Wisconsin. Minnesota
Kansas. Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Michi-
gan. California, and half OF the Southern
State'.''
Name the New England States you
reckon on?'
"Msine, Connecticut. Vermont and New
Hampshire. Possibly he will get Rhode
Island. He only got one vote from that sec-
ton last time He would have Mssssch-
sets this time had it not been for the speech
which he made in which he gave the old
Commonwealth SHINING about its action
in the war Of 1872 "
What otter names are likely 70 come be-
fore the convention
Il think John Sherman will get some
votes from the Southern States and the Ohio
delegation, on account of his being secretary
of thestreasuTy. He is a good man and would
general OF the army, | don't believe the
American people would make him presi-
dent. 1t would be giving too much power
into the hands OF one family. Besides be
has been connected with Hayes edministra-
tion. which would be great load to carry"
Would he not get large German vote?'
II don't think he speaks German"
"Would not his financial policy Sc
cure it?'
His financial views arose simply from his
being compelled to carry out the law Al
ter resumption came, his proposition TO take
away from the greenback its legal tend
qualities was ill-nmed, ill-advised, and met
with little general favor. As long as the
people can have gold for greenbscks on de-
mand 1t is no hardship to make them legal
tender. That day is passed when gold could
not be got. There was the hardship
You mentioned two candidates Are you
not going to reckon Grant among tae posi-
BILE candidates?''
II don't think be will be a candidate |
don't think he wants il. There are men who
are pushing him on thar own account
Grant was q great soldier. he won the re-
spect OF the clvilize world. He commanded
the laTges army that ever fought for free
dom, and to make him president would not
add a political leaf TO the wreath of fame
already OF his brow; and should he De
elected, the only thing be could do would DE
TO keep the old wreath from fading"
"WiIl not some of the men who are push
ing General Grant try to get the nomination
for themselves, in case for any reason. it is
not given 10 linn? Are there not dark
horses back OF Grant?'
There will be no more dark horse bust
ness this time. That was tried at Cincin-
natl, and that style of horse has grown lie
markedly unpopular. We want horse of
another color. We don't want to elect
Hayes, and then see what will hatch out"
How do you think Washburne will
rum"
II understand that he saws he is not a can
didate for president, but he probably will be.
The next contest will be between Blaine and
Sherman"
Don't you want Conkling among the can
didates?'
II don't believe he is a candidate. | be
lieve Blaine would run better than any
other man. He is the only man we can with
any certainty feel we can't elect. There is
wide spread prejudice against a third
term"
"Whst of Tilden?'
"He would not injare Blaine's chances if
nominated by the Democrats. In fact,
Tilden is an easy man TO beat and it may be
that the Democrats will be forced to put up
the very one they can elect l think the
coming presidential contest will be the
fisrcest this country has ever seen but do
not fear any trouble as result"
And on what issues2'
well, the whole history of the war will
have to be gone over, the treatment or the
blacks in the South, the payment OF the
national debt, the financial question-for
believe, the Greenback party will put for
wsrd candidate"
What do you think of Hendricks
cbances?"
Hendricks has the cards, If he has the
boldness to play them. The Democrats can
not get along without Indiana. | should as
soon see Hendricks elected as any Democrat.
Seymour is a good man, little old, and
guess does not want the place"
us there probability OF there being any
material change made in the election laws
before the presidential contestr'
mot by Congress. The States can make
changes so as to elect electors from each con.
gressional district or by the Legislature, I'M
less there is something prohibitory in their
constitutions. But this would look too much
like a trick. There ought to be general
law-;nstead of the several State electors
meeting separately-for them to meet in a
body for the choice of president, and the
electors should be absolutely independent,
80 that the executive should be independent
of the legislative and judiciary departments
OF the Government. This Government can
never stand another high joint commission.
believe, however. that the contest will not
be close enough again to need one. A close
vote of that kind will not occur once CEN
fury. II falls under the law of chances"