Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-07-18
Presidential Preferences.

Presidential Preferences.
Early in June the New York Times sent
letters to over 400 points asking answers
70 the following questions:
L-Who 10 most frequently spoken Of by
republicans in your vicinity ~ their first
chnice for Presidential candidate in 1884?
u.-What other names are mentioned
IH.-Who 10 most frequently mentioned BY
democrats in your neighborhotd ~ their first
choice for Presidential candidate in 1884 ?
W.-What other names are mentioned. in
about what order, - indicating their pepu-
laxity?
The Times received answers from 344
points, the number varying from A in
New York 10 l in Nevada, or an aver
age Of 3 from each State. which are
published in the issue Of Monday last.
making 40 columns in solid and small
type. The number Of republicans named
as candidates for the Presidency is fl.
of these 10 are mentioned, IN various
sections of the 80 States, rs the first choice
of the republicans. Mr.. Blaine. however,
is far ahead Of all others, being named as
the preference of l03, or nearly one-third
OF the number Of points where = preference
Is expressed. Mr.. Blaine's strength 10
found In his own. State, and in the Middle
and Western States which are the great
republican strongholds of the country.
The Times says, and says truly. that Mr..
Blaine's strength ''is probably greater
than thus indicated. as in many instances
preference is expressed for others in the
belief that he will not enter the race"
President Arthur comes next In strength,
his support, being found mainly in the
Southern States. where the Office holders
are in his interest Third in the list of
preferred names comes that OF Mr.. Ed
munds. His strength is quite even
~ distributed 10 the different States.
and appears TO be spontaneous and
genuine. These three gentlemen. says
the Times, receive the voice of z24 12
Of the 324 places which express prefer
ence-Blaine 1903; Arthur, Ga; Edmunds,
81 l-2." Robert T. Lincoln stands promi-
nently among the new candidates, only
Gen. Grant, John Sherman and Logan
coming between him and the three lead
ers. The following of all, after Blaine,
Arthur and Edmunds. is small, and in
some cases merely the expression Of
complimentary wishes for favorite sons.
In the democratic party the number OF
aspirants for the democratic nomination
for President is 40. Eighteen of these
stand forth AS claimants of first choice.
MIR. Tilden leads his party as strongly as
Mr.. Blaine leads in the expression of re-
publicans. Two-fifths of the points re-
porting award him first choice. The
Times remarks that "there appears little
If he desires" Mcdonald comes next to
Tilden.-72 f-2 points to the atter's I2O.
He makes strong showing rs second
,hoice. Bayard has only 81 l-2 points
Butler comes next, his strength being
mostly in Massachusetts,. Thurman has q
modest following and Hoadley is mention
ed as apostolic candidate.
In Maine of the 7 answers given
on the republican side are strongly
for Mr.. Blaine. Among the democrats
only points are against Mr.. Tilden-
| is for Butler and for Bayard.
The showing of the Times exhibits
much thoroughness and care in its attempt
To ascertain public opinien, and is highly
creditable to the journalistic enterprise of
that paper.
1t is no surprise to Mr.. Blaine's friends
to find his name leading the list of can
didates mentioned by the large majority
shown. II would be highly gratifying to
them to have him give his consent
To be candidate tor nomination.
but his invariable answer to inquir-
les is that he has no wish to enter TOR so
distinguished an honor. His time is de-
votedly given to the preparation of the
volumes which he is writing. His library
IL literally work shop for that purpose.
He dictates several hours daily to STEM
ographer. taking rs ardent an interest in
his historical labor as he formerly did in
the exscting duties of the most responsible
and exciting political leadership.
The slanderous mess of stones rehashed
by Dorsey and published in the New York
Sun Is the price which the republican
party and the leaders assailed have 10 nav