Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-05-08
THE CONTEST IN ILLINOIS.

The contest in the Republican party of
Illinois is becoming interesting. The re-
turns from the counties in which conven-
tions have already been held show that
Grant has secured ITO delegates, Blaine 174
and Washburne eleven. In Chicago there is
much activity, and as that city will have
ninety delegates in the convention, it prac-
tically holds the key to the situation.
There is one singular feature of the con-
test in that city which is a little peculiar.
Washburne is taking pains every day to assert
that he is not and will not be candidate
for President, and that he favors the nomi-
nation of Grant first, last and all the time.
Nevertheless the opponents of Grant are
concent rating all their strength in the en-
deavor to secure the election of Washburne
delegates to the State convention, evidently
hoping that by this means they will divide
Grants strength to such an extent as to in
sure his defeat. They are, however, reckon
ing without their host, for in the event of a
close contest the Washburne strength would
be far more likely to be transferred to Grant
than to Blaine.
It is we'll knewn that Washburne and
Blaine have long been on unfriendly terms.
The former has no reason to think kindly of
or render favor to the latter. He has the
best of reasons, on the contrary, for doing
all in his power to thwart his ambition, and
he will undoubtedly do SO. It looks very
much as if he was using the popularity he
possesses in certain quarters as a decoy to
lure doubtful districts into the Grant net,
and when the critical moment arrives to de-
liver over bis friends into the camp of the
dominant candidates. The readiness with
which some anti Grant men fall into the
trap is amusing, and that such intelligent
men as the editors of the Chicago Tribune
and Times fail to see through the scheme is
surprising. It should be patent to every
one that votes for Washburne are equivalent
to votes for Grant-that the whole scheme is
Grant movement in disguise.
Gen. Grant, without doubt, wants to con-
troll the delegation from his own State to the
Chicago convention. In order to do this he
has adopted expedients never before re-
sorted to by any Presidential candidate. He
has gone from town to town, held levees
and made speeches on the eve of the hold
ing of the local conventions in the hope that
he might influence their action. His first
friend, Washburne, has consented to act the
part of stool-pigeon for him, while his
chief fugleman, Logan, has entered actively
into the canvassing, threatening where he
could not cajole, promising rewards for do
ing his bidding, and using every art known
to the politician to secure pledges for his
master. The State is, however, yet good
fighting ground for both parties. 1t is al
most aAybody's game. But few days will
decide the question finally. The State con-
vention meets in less than two weeks, and
before that time the status of the several
candidates will be fully determined. The
most astute politicians in the State conf
IDENTIFY anticipate coalition of the Grant
and Washburne forces, and their expecta-
tions seem to be based on substantial
grounds.