Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-12-30
POLITICAL STRATEGY.
THE STRUGGLE FOR CONTROL
THE REPUBLICAN SITUATION dag
NOSED.
The War OF the Factions,

The War OF the Factions.
Philadelphia Evening Telegraph. Rep.
1t was generally, because naturally, sup
posed that when the government reas'
sembled at the capital after the Christmas
recess it would begin the work which
Congress aud presidents are chosen to do !;
that is to say, the work of governing the
country in such wise and honest fashion as
to secure for all the people the highest de-
gree of prosperity, peace and happiness.
| it was but just and reasonable expecta-
ton that the country INDUCED when it
expected the president and Congress to
devote their time, intelligence and labor
wholly to public interests. But reports,
rumors aud more tangible and reliable
evidences multiply to indicate that the
governments first work will he that of
making policy for use in the next presi-
dental campaign. Political interests, per-
sonal ambitions are to he served, and if
there should be any time or opportunity or
energy left over, possibly they may be de.
voted to the real affairs Of government.
The situation, either as 1t concerns the
welfare of the country or that of the Re.
publican party, is not at all brilliant. Old
qusrrels should be permitted to pass, an
cient feuds forgotten, and personal aspira-
tions and interests should give place to pa
triOtic purposes and national needs. But
the old quarrels are not to be permitted
to pass, the old, distracting, sundering
feuds are to he revived, and the aims OF
the leaders are to he as narrow as personal
ambitions can make them. at least so all
reports and llmOrs, and all likely circum-
stances indicate. President Arthur would
like to unite the party, to close up the
breach between the Garfield Republicans
and the Stalwarts, for he sees thatif the
party is to achieve victory in 1884, it must
show solid front to the Democracy, who
in each new national contest lessen the
majority which defeats them. General
Arthur" said Senator Logan, at that no
table conference Of tho Stalwart leaders
who had assembled together at tho capital
to instruct Speaker Keifer how his com.
mittees should bc composed-"G General
Arthur is going to have no split Congress,
He will be backed by the united party
there"
Doubtlessly Senator Logan spoke out of
an ample knowledge of tho men with
whom the president had to deal. Bis
autOcrat, but, powerful and arbitrary as
i
mand a united Reichstag. Probably be-
cause he has another sort of men to deal
with in that august body; men who arc
statesmen and patriots, and not mere
place hunters. But what Bismarck, with
all his influence, cannot do, tho Stalwart
Logan declares Arthur can do. 1t is not
that he wishes united Crngres. it is that
lie will have one, rs if he wero to tell his
lackey that he would have his boots BACKED
of morning. But the signs of such har-
nonious united Congress are not propitious;
tits possible, even probable, that some or
many of those who in 1880 shouted them
selves hoarse for Biaino of Maine" in
the Chicago convention, and who at his
command went over il body to the sup
port of Garfield, will be no longer found
in Blaine's ranks, but may rather be
looked for eating their porridge in the
camp of Arthur, for where the booty is
there will the political soldiers of fortune
be found. But, after all who can be are
cOnciliated by rich largess of official
booty, there will still be left in Congress
enough Blaine men to render that body
anything but a united Congress. There
are kasson and Hiscock in the House, and
Hale and Frye in the Senate, and others,
who will work and watch for Blaine rs
long rs he bids them do it.
| 1t was announced in leading New York
! daily of yesterday, which thus far has
been the strongest supporter of any of the
newspapers of that city except the Herald,
! that the Tribune, representing tho Garfield
Republicans would soon appear with 4
declaration OF war against Arthur. If any
body had turned to tho samo days issue of
the Tribune he would have there found in
| the leading article the promised dcclara-
tion OF war, and in the first sentence Of it
he would have seen the administration
styled with infinite contempt "this ad M
tum administration. The Times that
hates the Tribune, aud tries always to cs-
pouse the cause it opposes and to oppose
that which itespouses, is ono with it in this
business. One loves "this all anterim adj
minstratiOn no better than the other.
and between them they arc likely to make
| its path tharny one. Behind them both
stands "the man from Mainc," and be-
hind him stands the whole corporate and
money power of the East.
In this coming battle of the political
giants Arthur is thus far way ahead, and
the only question is, Can he keep his
lead? His henchmen-Logan, Cameron
and Robeson-have captured keifer and
made his committees for him, which are
not only wonderfully but dangerously
made. Their composition has offended
the Democrats III a body, and also the
Garfield Republicans. Not only do
they represent every species Of jobbing
and extravaganza. but the chances are
many that they will make so bad record
before the first session closes rs to give
tho opponents of the administration all
the ammunition they need to blow it to
pieces. In this factional fight what is to
become of the party: That should be
considered before the old quarrel is 1e
newed and the breach becomes too wide
for the Stalwarts,or their opponents, to
close or Overleap. What is tho use of
Arthur or Blaine fighting for the empty
honor of nomination if, by dividing the
party, they are going to give the next
president to the Democrats at the polls ?
To set up convention is easy enough, but
to carry national election is more than
difficulty enough. In the interests of par
ty success, why does it not suggest itself
to the two great contestants to agree to
the tossing up a penny for the office of
president? That would be quito as re-
spectacle as their other little games and
would probably save the party from de
feat by divisions.
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION.
More Gossip Concerning the Cabinot-The
DirectOrship of tine Mint.
The best informed politicians no longer
entertain any doubt as to the appoint.
ment of ex- Senator Sargent to the interior