Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-01-01
POLITICS AT WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, d. C., Dec. %, 1879.

WASHINGTON, ID. T., Dec. 29, 1879.
There has been n very large gather
ing here of prominent Republicans,
members of the National Committee
and others, intent upon securing some
advantage for their respective favorifes
in the Presidential race. The only
candidates talked of were Grant, Blaine
and Sherman, and in the order above
named. Don Cameron was interviewed
before the assembling of the commit
tee, and expressed his confidence that
he would surely be elected chairman,
which he was by two majority. At the
same time he stated that neither OF
vantage over the others by reason of
his election. There are all sorts Of
opinions expressed concerning the spe.
cial significance of his eIection-many
being outspoken in the belief that he
will exert his influence as chairman in
favor Of Grant, whilst others say that
he will work quietly but efficiently for
his father-in-law, Secretary Sherman.
Don is well known here as bold, un.
scrupulous politician of the worst and
most dangerous machine type, and his
election means vigorous campaign
with heavy political assessments upon
the federal Office holders, supplemented
by plenty of aid from the great cor.
porations of the country. OF one thing
rest assured, should he be designated
hereafter as chairman of the National
Republican Convention he will do every.
thing that can be done, not only to
elect the Republican electoral ticket
in Pennsylvania, but also to increase
his political favor in that State. Hale.
who was chairman of the Republican
Congressional committee in the 1878
campaign, used more than one.tenth Of
the committee corruption fund in
Maine. Cameron would not scruple to
use his place to scatter the money of
the Committee in Pennsylvania. There
is some alarm manifested least the Re
publicans should make use of their
strength in the Legislatures controlled
by them in the so.called doubtful
States, to elect their electoral tickets,
and relying upon their strength in the
stalwart States to endorse any course
they may pursue to thus take the elec.
tion out of the hands of the people.
1t has been ascertained that this was
the programme agreed upon here be.
fore the Ohio election, and as evidence
OF this it is shown that they made her.
culean efforts with lavish use of money
TO carry both branches of the Legisla.
ture. The more timid and conservative.
or so-called 'liberal" Republicans, are
loud in their denunciation of this pro.
gramme, but the men in office and
those who control the machine say that
il is necessary to perform this new out.
rage against the ballot in order to
Save the country" Several leading
Republican newspapers in New York
City are out in articles opposing the
scheme. The National Democratic
Committee will meet on the 23d of Feb.
ruary TO name the day and place Of
holding the next Democratic National
Convention. Pending this meeting
speculation il rife as TO who will be the
candidate of the party for President.
The only persons now prominently
mentioned are Seymour, Hancock and
Bayard. Judging from the opinions
one hears expressed by nearly every
earnest Democrat the convention will
select the candidate who may be con.
sidered the strongest. Until quite re.
Gently the name of Seymour was upon
every mans lips, but the boom which
seemed TO promise unanimity and en-.
thusiasm has disappeared under the
microscopic eyes OF searching politi.
clans. was handed yesterday printed