New-York tribune., 1880-02-17

| GRANT FORCES AT CHICAGo-THE NRw-YoRK
| OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES STRENGTH OF BLAINE
AND SHERMAN.
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Feb 16.-The most interesting
piece of political gossip current In Washington
during the last two three days is that Senator
Conkling will probably 20 to Chicago as delegate
at-large from the State of New-York, and that nc
will there take the lead of the Grant forces.
II he concludes to accept this responsibility, he
will, Of course be ably seconded by Senator Don
Cameron, who, although he has the reputation OF
being q more skilful political manager. and will be
able to accomplish more IN the way OF winning
delegates than Senator Conkling, whose excessive
dignity of manner repels rather than attracts
strangers, is not great orator like the New-fork
Senator, who will not probably meet his equal in
| impressive eloquence on tho platform OF the Ma
tiona Convention
Senators Conking and Cameron, with the dele
gates from the two great States of New-York and
Pennsylvania behind them, will be able TO exercise
an influence upon the choice Of candidates that is
not to be despised by any one who may have to OPP
pose their plans in the Convention.
fhe latest news, received in Washington from
New-York is that Senator Blaine and Secretary
Sherman are gathering strength In many unex
pected quarters.
| The preponderance of the Blaine sentiment in
Jefferson County, one of the great Republican
strongholds of the State, has already been noticed
| in the news columns of The TRIBUNE. In st. Law
renee County similar state of feeling is believed TO
! exist In Canton. one of the principal towns of
that county, the Republican caucus was held last
Saturday, and attended by about 200 persons
A division to discover the preferences
of those present in regard to Presidential
candidates showed that more than three-fourths OF
| III thar nf IA
county the proportion may not he quite great but
there is 10 doubt that largo majority of the Re
publcans of St. Lawrence County prefer Senator
| Blaine to any other candidate, and st. Lawrence
County is entitled to have her choice respected any
county in the State Is because she may be expected
to give the Republican candidate a larger major
ity than any other in the State.
| IL is only fair to Secretary Sherman to say that
| the action of caucusses, especially In New-fork
| State does not always indicate how numerous Its
| friends are. The followers of Senator Blaine are
| very enthusiastic and demonstratve, and wherever
they find themselves strong enough to do so they
| make themselves heard In caucusses and district
conventions The Sherman men, on the other hand
are mostly found among the solid men OF the party
who mako less noise, but who have great Influence
The policy of both classes OF men, those who sup
| port Blaine and those who prefer Sherman, is not
| to oppose each other, but to make a common cause
| against the third term. In selecting delegates,
therefore 1t is very natural that the caucusses
should divide into two parties those who favor
third term, and those who do not but the latter
will not be resolved into its ultimate elements at
the same time the Blaine men being the more
active of course, make greater impression on the
| public The fact that Secretary ShermGns name
Is not brought promptly forward, therefore IN eau
cusses does not prove that he has no supporters In
them.
1t is generally conceded, both by the friends OF
Senator Blaine and by those of Secretary sherman.
that Mr. Conklng win control the New-York Re
publican Convention next week by large major
ity and that If he thinks 1t to be the wisest COURSE
and most beneficial to the Grant cause, ho VIII
have the delegates instructed to vote as unit for
the third term candidate.
Some Republicans think that none but
Grant OF COnkling men will be allowed to be chosen
as delegates. and when asked how it would be pos
slble 10 prevent the selection Of some Blaine men.
since the choice is made by tho delegates III the
Convention from the respective Congressional dis
ricts they reply II also customary when he del
egacs from any district unable to agree IN their
| choice to submit the question 10 the Convention.
II in any district. therefore, minority. however
small refuses to agreo to the selection OF Blaine
| delegate the Convention may take the matter IN
hand and appoint a Grant man.
! lt is not pretended that any such plan Is known
| TO be Inntured but some of the ant-Grant men are
| fearful that IL may be adopted.