The Portland daily press., 1881-01-19
Pendleton's Ambition.
Wants to be President in 1884.
columbus Letter to N. Y. Times.l

columbus Letter to N. Y. Timesj
Senator George H. Pendlston will go into
the Democratic National Convention of 1884
with strong following, and with the entire
delegation of his State at his back He has to-
day one definite, distinct ambition, and every
move that he makes is intended to aid him in
that desire. He means to lead his party in the
next fight, and, if possible, to become the
successor of Gen. Garfield in the Presidency.
Mr. Pendleton is young, and has patiently
waited for the opportunity that is coming.
His State went TO st. Louis in 1876, torn in
desire and counsels, and divided between Gov.
Allen and Senator Thurman. Allen was
already politically dead, as Pendleton knew,
and when that convention adjourned he also
knew that Thurman had gone the way of his
uncle. When 1880 came Ohio was again
divided in devotion. Her strong man, the one
who stood chance of receiving the nomina-
tion-Henry B. Payne OF Cleveland-was tied
and gagged by Senator Thurman, who was
playing the weak and objectionable role that
Allen played in st. Louis. Mr.. Pendleton
took no hand in this fight, but kept his peace
with both sides. The result in this contest
was to end Mr.. Thurman forever, and to
weaken him so that he can harm no enemy
and aid no friend. There is, therefore, only
one man in Ohio who can break Pendleton's
hold on the Ohio delegation, and that is Henry
b. Payne But the chances of his going into
another fight are too remote to mention. Only
the absolute assurance that he was the desig-
mated heir of Mr.. Tilden prevailed upon him
and sent him into the lists. No such contin-
gency will arise in 1884, as presented itself
last Summer. and Mr.. Payne is not the man to
play the dog in the manger, and do for MIR.
Pendleton what Allen did for Thurman, and
Thurman in turn for Payne. Mr.. Payne and
Senator Pendleton are upon amicable terms,
and the contest between the two that eaded in
Pendleton's election to the Senate was CON-
Quoted without harshness and left no after
bitterness.
Providence and secret political management
in 1879 took formidable rival from the path
and buried him in deeper darkness than fell on
the grave OF Moses. Gen. Tom Ewing three
years ago was strong, growing and aggressive.
He believed IN himself, advocated nothing to
which he did not receive the assent of his con-
science and judgment, and was believed in
heartily BY all the younger members of the
Democratic party. His position in his party
surprised many at the sudden development of
strength that followed the presentation of his
name to the convention that nominated him
for Governor. His ambition was equal to that
of Thurman or Pendleton. Elected Governor,
step into the Senate. Backed by the prestige
OF these two Endorsements, 1t was his hope that
some turn in events might occur that would
make him the nominee of his party for the
highest office to which any man in any party
could aspire. The simeon of 1879 not only
crushed him, but took him permanently from
the way of the ADLER and more cold-blooded
man who hopes to build upon all these RUNS.
There was loud demand in the Cincinnati
Convention that the nominee must come from
the West. 1t was disregarded, but the disre-
gard only made stronger the plea that Senator
Pendleton's friends are already urging, that
the next one shall be from the West beyond
question Mr.. Pendleton has already made
advances to Ohio Democrats, in search of sup
port, and one of his agents has approached the
Payn interest with a view to gaining what
strength it may retain. He has received no
answer and probably will not at an early da}e,
as Mr.. Payne has some revengeS to settle, and
may employ his influence in a number of ways
before the next Presidential year. Mr.. PEN
dleton has done better in Toledo, and the Hon.
Frank Hurd is looked upon as one of his most
able and earnest secret agents. 1t has been
Mr.. Hurd's ambition for some time to be
Cabinet Minister, and had Hancock been elect.
ed, Mr.. Hurd weuld have gone into the Treas
ury Department, unless Messrs. Barnum and
Hancock had broken faith with him. In ad-
dition to Mr.. Hurd number of the Ohio Dem
ocratic congressman, among whom are Messrs.
Geddes, Lefevre, and Hill, are pledged to Mr.
Pendleton and working quietly for him. Cor
respondence is going on with promi tent Dem
ocrats all over the country, and every official
act of the junior Senator from Ohio is to be
hereafter magnifed to double its size. 1t is
the hope of the Pendleton IN that Ohio will
go Democratic this coming 4 Ill, and candi-
date for Governor is to he chose by them and
elected if possible. The next year will see
remarkable development of power in Mr.. PEN
dleton's hands, and he will stand at the head
OF his party in the State. He has waited quietly
until some powerful opponents were taken
from his way by the wearings of time and de-
feat, until others could be won and conciliated
and he now feels that he can crush any oppo-
stion that may remain. He will be friends
Judge will be beaten in open field In fight
of this character the Payne interest will be all
for Pendleton. Judge Hoadly beat. if he did
not betray, Mr.. Payne at Cincinnati, and his
day will come some time. The Paynes are on
ly waiting.