Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-05-11
GRANT AxD BLIINE.

The Presidential question from Repub-
lican standpoint is becoming exceedingly
interesting, and there ia little else talked
about in political circles. Both of the lead
ing candidates were disappointed in the re-
salts Of last weeks conventions, hut Blaine
the most'greviously. lie had expected 10 car
~ the entire delegation from Wisconsin, bul
secured only seven, while it is conceded that
Grant Is reasonably certain of the remain
ing thirteen. He had also expected at least
but Grant captured twelve ont of sixteen.
A look over the field shows Grant to be still
largely ahead of all competitions, with, IN all
probability, the Washburne and Edmuuds
delegates 10 fall back upon in case of need,
which will give him a clear MAORI
ty, not reckoning anything from the ten
States yet to hold their conventions.
The state of affairs in Illinois looks mixed
at present. It does not seem probable that
either Grant or Blaine will have majority
at Springfield. Washburne will almost GER
tainly have the balance of power. If he at
tempts to transfer his power TO Grant, how
ever, there will be lively ruction that may
lead to bolt. Many of the Washburne dele
gates were chosen by coalition of the anti
Grant clements, and several of them are
known to Ds opposed to the third term IN
alterably. Yet there seem to have been a
good many Grant men smuggled in, and if
Washburne is rot able to deliver the whole
of MS chattels he will probably succeed in
delivering enough to make up majority.
There will, however, be strong protest
against any soch combination, with every
prospect of row. 1t IS absolutely certain,
however, that Washburne will not consent
to the transfer of his strength to Blaine.
The Grant managers are still confident
of carrying the day. The failure of the st.
Louis anti-third term convention to create
the impression that had been expected of it
has given them renewed hope. A careful
survey of the situation ii Pennsylvania and
of split in tue delegations from those
States is simply idle talk of the Blaine adj
herents with view to encouraging them in
their labors. Conkling and Cameron still
have the delegates we'll in hand, and will en-
force the unit rule vigorously. Though
Senator Woodin, of New York, one of the
delegates to Chicago, declared that he would
not vote for Grant, and thereby gave jny To
the Blaine boomers, ne at the same tine de-
clared that he would not enter the conven-
ton, but would allow his alternate to fill
his seat. This gentleman Is understood to
be Grant man, or at any rate blind fol
lower of the fortunes of Conkling, which
amounts to the same thing. If there are any
other delegates who share Senator Woodin's
views and oppose the unit rale, they too will
ia all probability retire, leaving their alter
mates to fill their places. The same is true
of the Penn ivaBis. There will ho no break
in either delegation.
4 prominent politician of national reputa-
ton and influence, being asked his opinion
of the situation the other day, remarked
that the fact that Blaine was a possibility
makes Grant certainty. This is the whole
thing in q nutshell. There are many
thousands Of Republicans who will prefer
Grant to Blaine, and among them are ma
jority OF the legations from Massachusetts,
and Vermont, and several other States now
committed TO Sherman. Blaine has prob
ably more enemies in his own party than
any other public man in The party-men
who are envious of his promnence, and
others who dislike his domineer1ug aud
question mis- honesty of purpose. He would
have fa- less strength before the people than
Grant, and the leaders of the party fully
recognizes the fact.
The fact that several delegations go TO
Chicago uninstructed save to vote for the
candidate who seems to stand the best
chance of a nomination and an election
gives Grant considerable strength that is
not counted in his column of delegates.
The fact that be will go into the convention
with nearly if not quite majority of all the
delegates in his favor, will attract
all these 'vagrant members
to his support, who will,
by voting for him, violate no pledges and at
the same time place themselves on the win
ming side. No one who has a knowledge of
the influence and tactics of the Grant mana
gers can for moment doubt his strength or
the certainty of his nomination on the first
orsecond ballot, if, indeed, he is not nomi-
mated by reclamation.