New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-03

| its importance and disgorged with the utmost
| reluctance. The correspondent took him sud-
denly, as one might say, 10 the pit OF the stom-
acb, with the inquiry what he thought OF the
present aspect of politics in this country in gen.
eral and upon the Democratic situation In par
ticuar. Now Erskne NJ. Phelps is nothing IL
not wary. He belongs in Chicago. Or course
he was not going to convulse the country with
any sudden announcement of his opinions. 80
he said in Il general way, as though he knew all
about it but did not want to give it away, that
it was premature to venture upon speculatlons
as to the Democratic nomination for President
He was free to say, however, that he did not
think the old ticket would be nominated, for the
reason that Mr.. Tilden would not take the NOM
inatiOn. He always calls on Mr.. Tildcn when
in New York-did the last time he was in this
city-but the visit, he was careful to add, had
ano political significance" altho ugh," said he,
q / see that some papers are trying to make
apoltical capital out of it," That only illustrates
one of the embarrassments of Erskine's posi-
ton. The country watches hirn with constant
anxiety, and he cannot so much as make call
on q leading statesman without the opposition
press making capital out of it. lie Is very hard
pressed, Erskine is.
He thinks Mr. Tilden's health is "quite fair
indeed" but in burst of candor he says:
@What is the use of trying to conceal any
"thing2 He is not of course in his prime, be-
"cause his age must tell on him more or less, and
q refuse to place any credence in the story that
"he spends a couple of hours each day pitching
aquoits and an hour or so practising in the
Gymnasium" Such righteousness is rarely
met with in a Chicago man. Inquired of
about the tariff an issue in the next cam
paign Erskine expressed positive conviction
that 81 the tariff will be the main issue In the
fight" "That and the Offices" he adds and
" with knowing smile "-"you know the latter
are always secondary considerations" He has
spent some time in New England, and firmly
believes that the Democratic theory of tariff
for revenue only will be accepted as warmly
there as in the other States When the CORE
spondeht asked him point blank, "Whom do
you consider to be the leading statesman in
@your party2" the modesty of Erskine NJ. Phelps
received its seyerest shock. He avoided al
answer duplicating himself by the shrewd ie-
mark We have got so many it would not be
just nor wise to particularize or be partial" 1t
beats all what readiness that man has. The
correspondent then inquired if he thought
"Joe" Mcdonald was likely to receive the
nomination. Ersllinc answered that he wouldn't
be surprsed-that "McDOnald is good man, a
strong man, aud would take well in the West.
So would Bayard too, for that matter"
And then Erskine NJ. Phelps after a
moments thoughtful pause let fall with slow
deliberation this oracular remark: AYou can
say that both Mcdonald and Bayard are very
good men--yes, very good indeed" There
continues TO be little vagueness about the
candidates, but all doubt about the platform is
cleared up Erskne says it will be for-rev
enue-only platform. And he las given per-
mission 10 The Herald correspondent to say that
d" both Mcdonald and Bayard are very good
men-yes, very good men," We are glad to
learn so much as this. Erskine has gone back
to Chicago. And what town Chicago Is.
There are so many persons of consequence
there that it hardly seemed aware of Ersbine
Dhalna