The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-05-07
Chandler's Opinions.
Why He Believes Blaine the Stronger
Man.

A correspondent of the Boston Herald had
an interview with w. E. Chandler at Concord
Wednesday, the main portions of which are as
follows:
Mr.. Chandler-If elected by a Blaine con-
vention, as L shall be if chosen at all, shall
vote on the first ballot for James G. Blaine,
and as long as he is candidate, or until, in my
judgment, after consultation with the other
nine delegates, it is thought best to vote for
somebody else.
R.-Do you think he is the strongest nomi-
nee the Republican party can put before the
country at this time? II so, why?
Mr.. CT do; no other public man has his
personal popularity with the masses of the
people. His popular strength in Pennsylva-
mia and at the West is unbounded and he will
run better in those sections than any other
candidate. He is equally popular in New
York, and will, L believe, unite all shades of
Republicanism, and bring out larger vote in
New York than any other candidate. / don't
know friend of Gen. Grant in that State
who will not zealously and earnestly support
Senator Blaine, and we cannot afford to throw
away Mr.. Blaine's personal popularity and take
II candidate with less or none.
R.-The old personal variance between Mr..
Blaine and Mr. Conkling, will that make any
material difference, or has it been so far healed
as to be unworthy OF consideration in this con-
nection?
Mr.. C.-The only difficulty between Senator
II years ago, and has utterly died out in the
hearts of both gentlemen. During the last six
years they have cordially and zealousy Coop
Grated together upon almost every political
subject, and have had no new differences Mr.
Conkling has not n jealous friend in the State
of New York who is not warm friend of Sem
ator Blaine, and all Mr.. Conklings friends
will work earnestly for Blaine's election, while
as to Senator Conkling himself, there is no
more doubt that he will do his utmost for car
rtFitrc Nnu NrPl-f for aiy l,a.h
self is the most devoted, radical and, perhaps,
the ablest Republican statesman in the coun-
try.
RIFF Mr.. Blaine is nominated, how will
his position upon the coolie or Chinese uues-
ton affect his election?
Mr.. Cit certainly will not hurt him, while
it will give him the Pacific coast without an
effort.
RS there not considerable feeling in
some parts of the country that his position
was wrong in reference to that matter-that he
went too far?
Mr.. C.-There is feeling in some of the
Eastern States that Mr.. Blaine was wrong in
opposing further Chinese immigration. but the
question is not one of principle. Nobody pre-
tends that this country is bound to admit with
out limit foreigners within its borders and to
its rights of citizenship, and it is mere ques-
tion OF discretion whether or not there should
be anexclusion in any given case, and there
are many arguments in favor of SUCK exclu-
SLOh VI eho NuIucS6, Uul Oh lH6 question OF
absolute protection to the Chinese now here, L
understand Mr. Blaine to be as determined
that they shall be protected as any man in
Congress or the country.
R.-There are insinuations that Mr.. Blaine
has been illegitimaely connected with certain
speculations and enterprises in Congress and
elsewhere, which, if he were elected, might
compromise him; whether or not, if he were
nominated, he would not be overwhelmed with
charges of dishonesty, which would put him
upon the defensive all he time, rather than
upon the aggressive, in the campaign?
Mr.. C.-Mr. Blaine would undoubtedly be
assailed by the Democratic press, and so will
any other nominee. If we Look for a man who
will not be assailed, he will be too insignih-
cant for a candidate. The question is not
whether charges will be made against him,
but whether or not they will have foundation
| in truth. L have no hesitation in saving that
no charge will be made, or reiterated, in the
slightest degree affecting bis qualifications as a
| candidate.
R.-Would not the South be solid against
| him?
Mr.. C.-Probably, but not more so than
against any other candidate. We can carry
| Florida, North and South Carolina, and one
| or two other Southern States, and elect 20 or
| 25 Southern members of the House. Whether
| we shall get these results out of Southern