The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-03-18
A Review of The Republican Situation
in Illinois.

A correspondent OF the New York Iri'
bune writes from Chicago as follows:
Giants strength in Illinois has been much
oyerestimated and yet it l. sufficient 10
make him the first choice Of a majority OF
the Republican voters in some rural dis
tricts. In the State at large he is not the
first choice of anything like a majority OF
the party. In two OF the Chicago districts
1.-THE First and Third he will II nominated
run heavily behind the ticket. The First
district elected Democratic congressman
in 1874. 1t is now decidedly for Blaine.
The Third district is the north side OF Chi
cago and Lake county. The German vote
in this district Is large. II is also Mr.. WASH
burne's home district, and he Is natu-
rally the first choice OF most Republican
voters. At two ward meetings in this dis
irict within week the mention OF General
Grant as a candidate for The presidency
elected anything but enthusiasm, while
Washburne was wildly cheered. The Sec
ond district is the west side OF Chicago.
Here Grant is stronger: but the contest for
The nomination will be close and doubtful.
In estimating the political chances in Cbica-
90 it is well to observe that number Of
.hrewd and able politicians have gone into
the anii-Grant movement. Mr.. Charles
B. Farwell, who stopped in Washington
recently to see Mr.. Blaine. is the most
skIful manipulation OF caucuses and pri-
maries in Illinois. II he has really en-
listed for The war, as 1t is said he has,
there will be serious work for the ma
chine between this time and May. Mr..
Farwell Is n millionaire, and he uses
money freely when be is in earnest. He
has friends on the Democratic as well as on
"a 81 Ia H.,
ocraiic friends regularly attend Republican
primaries, whether Mr.. Farvell is in the
campaign or not. Mr.. Farwtl believes in
fighting fire with fire. and he will not be
overreached without knowing the reason
why. On the north side all the active
Young Republicans who usually stand by
the polls 10 the local campaigns are Wash
burne mes on the south side the active
business. men who 90 the heavy political
work are for Blaine, and on the wes'
side the campaign against Grant is led
bv l.. l.. Ci>bee, who in the last
Legislature was one OF the most de-
voted adherents Of Senator Logan. The
Fourth district, which is part OF the "We,t.
ern Reserve" OF Illinois, reOped mainly
by New England farmers and their descend
ants. and surely Republican. is said to be
decidedly for Blaine or Washburne. The
Fifth or Galena district IS OF course for
Grant, with Washburne, also Gllena man,
as second choice. The Twelfth or SpriHg-
field district (Democraticl, where State
House influences prevail, is al-o for Grant,
and so are the Democratic districts gen.
eraly-the Eleventh, Thirteenth. Fifteenth,
Sixteenth, seventeenth, and Nineteenth.
The close Republican districts, like the
Tenth, which il called 'the battle ground
OF the State" are invariably anti-GIant.
Congressman Marsh, OF the Tenth district,
holds his seat by plurality OF $40 in total
vote OF 10000, the Greenback candidate
having 1896. Thomas, OF the Eighteenth
district, and Conner, OF the Fourteenth,
are in about the same predicament. They
are not ut all anxious to fight the thir1-ierm
issue in addition 10 all their other enemies.
Six OF the twelve Republican congressman
from Illinois were elected by pluralites
over Democrats and GrenbacSfrs. III Gene
raj Grant is nominated the Republicans will
lose at least three congtessmen-in the
Third, Tenth, and Eighteenth dlstrictS-
ard the political character OF the congress
sional delegation will be exactly reversed,
standing twelve Democrats TO nine Repub-
licanS. A close political observer said to-
day that II Ge.eral Grant was nominated he
would carry Illinois by 1870 to $4,000 ma
iortv; hat Washburne would have $4,000
to 10000 majority, aud that Blaine would
have about the same majority as Wash
burnc