New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-02
THE NEXT PRESIDENT.


WHY THE DISTRICT SYSTEM OF CHOOSING ELEC
TORS SHOULD DE ADOPTED IN NEw-YORK.
: The Hon. William +. Chandler, of New-Hamp
shire, was encountered one dav last week at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel by a TRIBUNE reporter. He
talked freely current politics; and the following
gives fair summary OF the interesting parts
Of the conversation:
what do you think of the outlook for the Presi-
Dental campaign p was asked.
1t is promising and steadily improving every
day. Mr.. Chandler replied. 1.-THE wiser Demo-
cratic leaders have hoped TO hold back their unruly
spirits from again outraging Northern public sem
timent they did Mt the extra session of Congress,
but the devils broke loose in Maine, and the
country has had there moro dangerous
exhibition OF the real temper of Confederate
Democracy than the performances Of the extra ses-
sior. The North understands truly that the
Democratic party controlling Hcuse and Senate.
refusing 10 pass n law for the orderly counting of
the Electoral vote, and taking as an excuse
the legal and honest declaration, made by
an Electoral Commission, which they forced
into existence, of the election of Hayes
and Wheeler intends 10 steal the next Presi-
dency. and 10 declare elected and to inaugnrate
their candidate twho win he fighting man If Til
den is cowarllv enough to be got rid OF, whatever
may be the actual result Of the votes of the States
enough to form pretcx's, and they will push on
toward success regardless of appearances and con-
sequences That is what the Maine usurpation
meani; and it Only failed BY reason of the indie
pendence and courage Of fbe Maine Judiciary who
did not sneakngly justify usurpatOn, as Judges
Cushing, Lsdd and Isaac W. Smith did the counting
ont OF Matt Head and the New-Hampshre Senate
steal Of 1872
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
teverse it. Rallyng the North, we can carry every
Northern State; and when it becomes evident
sixty days before election that to do this
may also carry Florida. Louisiana, South Carolina,
North Carolina, Virginia aud Tennessee, some OF all
Of them. Murders of Republicans and also false
counting now the favorite Southern method, will
neasurably diminish when it is seen that they are
to be Of no avail"
"Do you really think NeT-Jersey, Connecticut,
Indiana and New-York can be carried Republican,
"The first TWO undoubtedly and with ease If the
Republicans do their duty. Indiana is doubtful.
but think can be won. Ncw-YorS is doubtful
only by reason Of the enormous Democratic city
vote which Tilden and Tweed in 1868
fraudnlently increased many thousands, and
which Tilden with new Tweeds will con-
ruptIy swell in 1880. But take it for granted
that the present New-York Legislature viii adopt
the district system of choosing electors. If they
do the election OF Republican President is a fore
gone conclusion tho Democracy must give up the
fight and the turmoil. danger. expense and anxiety
Of doubtful Presidential campaign will be all
avoided / think the system should be adopted
AScft4 haaf .f,ssaa ela !
=" But will il not be charged that an unfair par
tisan advantage is bong taken; and will not the |
moral effect be injurious to the RepublcaDsf"
There wonld not be the slightest justice in such |
chargc For tie New-York Legislature to choose the
electors would although legal, be inexpedient and
injurious The prevailing and true policy is oelecta
President by the people, and for the Republicans to
first break that policy would be injrdicious and harm
full although il would settle the coming election in
our favor. But adopting the district system is
mcnt 70. away from, but nearer to the people. 1t
gives fuller effect to the popular VOTE has early
precedent in is favor and ought IN my opinion to
be adopted by every State in the Union, and
will rs soon as its legislators come TO under
stand the true merits OF the question. There
is no wisdom nor safety In allowing great |
bodies of votes m the electoral college-35 90
% and onto be forced all for one candidate by
tho prcponderance Of few votes. perhaps fraudu-
lenty east or counted. I'm special localities in tho
states. Why should rden's and Tweed's frauds
Of 10000 in New-Yor4 City in 1868. giving an ap-
parent majority for Seymour o! 5000 III the state.
have carried all the 80 votes Of NewYork against
General Grant when 410, 500 voters cast their bal
lots for the latter"
Are you willing to express your views and
opinions relative TO the Republican Presidential
o. -riIl Thara ha otnd |
and exciting contest in the convention, especially if
General Grant is a candidate; hut the almost newt
able result il seems to me, will be the nomination of
Mr. Blaine
"What do you think of Senator Blane's popu-
arity in the various sections rs compared with
1877"
" II has increased in many parts of the country,
while do not think it has diminished any where. |
There has been an apparent movement for Grant in
ome of the Western States which in 1876 were for ,
Elaine; but il is subsiding. and the same West
rn enthusiasm which gave Blaine his great force at
;incnnati is reasserting itself, and believe will
oil into the Chicago Convention with greater vol I
lme than before: if it does, nothing defeat his
nomination. He is stronger in New-Engand than 8
II 1876; in NewYork will show increased strength,
ybilo in Pennsylvania the popular enthusiasm for
lin is rs complete and gratifying as It is sponta-
eous. Ii may be again partially smothered. but
ot successfully as il was III 1876. The men who
rushed it then have reaped bitter harvest of I,
humiliation; they will not try it so vigorously ii
gain" n
DO you think that Mr.. Blaine is the strongest a
andidate that can be nominnted'" +
IL do. indeed l don't think the party can afford
throw away tho positive advantages to DO gained II
Y nominating him. He is the irstand enthusiastic d
hocc Of about all the Republicans who earnestly
Imported him at Cincinnati, and those who in eager
roups crowded all the telegraph Offices of II
he country waited for his final nomina- r
on, and turned away in disappointment II
nd silence; no has thousands of new