Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-05-25
OPPOSITION TO GRANTISM.

Especial Despatch to the Boston Herald.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. Nav -. While the
momentary effect of the Illinois conventions
action was To lead MANY persons here, who
do not look below the surface of things, to
Rgard Grants nomination as inevitable, the
real impression produced by Senator l.ogan's
triumph is quite otherwise in political circles
here. Grant leads in the number of delegates
chosen, but the obstacles TO his nomination
are still very considerable, and his opponents
here, instead of yielding the contest, indi-
cate a disposition TO redOble their opposi-
ton. They give the following reasons for
believing that Grant will not be nominated:
The first and most powerful, is the forced
nature OF the whole Grant campaign and the
fact that the common sense and wisdom of
the party are wholly against his nomination.
1t is believed that the real sentiment Of the
republican masses will make itself felt at
Chicago in powerful manner, and that the
Grant managers will be appalled, at the ex-
tent of the opposition that will be dev clopcd
previous to the convention. Secondly, at
tention is called to the fact that the perma-
ncnt organization of the convention is GER
tain to be in the hands of the opposition.
Each State and Territory names one member
Of each of the three committees on ere
dentials, organization and resolutions. The
cations by States. and consequently they
will not be able either to name the president
OF the convention, or to decide upon the adj
mission and contesting delegations. IL is
now probable that the whole question of the
composition of the Illinois delegation will be
brought before the convention.
Ex-senator II. T.. Fcnton is in Washing
ton for few days on his way to Chicago.
Referring to the result III Springfield, Illinois,
he said that it by no means settled the ques-
ton of Grants nomination, On the contrary
he thought Grant would certainly not be
nominated. The issue at Chicago, said
Fenton, is grave one Many think that
upon the nomination will depend the success,
possibly the life of the republican party, and
for that reason the nomination of Grant seems
improbable.
W. +. Chandler makes the follow ing esti-
mates Of the strength of the various candi-
dates at Chicago Blaine 800. Grant 2S9,
Sherman lO5, Edmunds a. Washburn IL,
Window 10; or. 2S9 for G'nr' to 467 for al
others. This estimate is isscd upon 10
votes for Blaine from New York and Is from
Pennsylvania, but none from Ohio or Illinois.
OF the 20 contesting delegates from Illinois,
elected by the strongest republican congress
sional districts. II are for Blaine and 4 for
Washburn. Chandler thinks Blaine will be
nominated on the second ballot
Washington correspondent of the Bos-
ton journal writes that Gen. Grants friends
regard the result in Illinois as practically Sc
curing for him the nomination at Chicago on
the first ballot, and they cndeavor to secure
every possible vote for him on that ballot.
Some of them assert positively that he will
| receive over 325 votes, but this estimate
must be regarded as apochryphal. Neither is
| it foregone conclusion that he will receive
all the votes now counted on by his support
ers and conceded by his opponents. II
should be remembered that Mr.. Blaine was
comparatively the first choice Of considera-
| BILE majority of the delegates to the republic
can convention which met mt Cincinnati in
1876, but after consultation it did not appear
certain that he could be elected if nominated
and Mr. Hayes was selected. SO at Chicago,
many of the delegates will ask each other not
who has been victorious in republican con-
ventions, but who can best head the republic
can host against the democrats. Should it
appear that Grant cannot poll enough repub-
lican votes to elect him in New York. Penn
sylvana, Ohio, or Illinois, it would be sui
eide to force him upon the convention and
the country. He has been triumphant in the
domestic differences among the republicans,
but this will not secure his nomination un-
| less it can be shown that he can be victorious
| in the November fight with the democrats.