Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-04-26
DEMOCRATIC PLANKs.
Charles a. Dana Gazing into the Pc.
litical Future.
san Francisco Special, 2sd.

In an interview with a Chronicle repre-
sentative to-day, Charles a. Dana, of the
New York San, said the leading issue of
the next Presidential campaign would be
to turn out the Republicans. Continuing,
he said:
Il think the Democrats can come square
" before the country as advocates of a
tariff for revenue only. An internal reye-
nue. tax on liquor, which Will yield enough
to pay the pensions granted under recent
laws, is iustifiable. This tax would only
last four or five years, after which it would
be no longer needed. Even now, as recon-
mended by President Arthur, all internal
taxation can be done away with. | can
not say whether the active Republicans in
the last Congress alienated the working
men of the Republican party or not. Upon
the question of the reduction of duties
on metal, it is too early to judge
of its effect. The only South
ern States manufacturing wooden and
cotton goods, sugar and iron, like& to be
affected by the free trade issue are Louisi-
ana, Georgia and Alabama. The sugar
interests of Louisiana would certainly
fail under n free trade policy, for without
protection Louisiana sugar planters would
be pOwerless to compete with Cuba, Brazil
and the Sandwich Islands. The iron
interests Of Alabama are safe. The effect
of a free trade plank in the Democratic
platform during the coming Presidential
election would in New York, in the
present state of public opinion, be ru-
nous. 1t would also lose New jersey,
Connecticut and probably Indiana.
1.-The Democratic party has a number
of available Presidential candidates in all
parts of the country. Mcdonald, of In
diana, is spoken of. Hendricks has
friends. Bayard has warm friends, and
probably more personal admirers than
any other man in the party, Palmer, Of
Illinois, is strong. Thurman is one of the
ablest men in the country. If Ohio unites
in his support in the Democratic COnven-
ton his nomination is assured. Til
denis friends are not discussing his
nomination. / am his friend, and
am not aware of such discussion. Ii he
were fifteen years younger and had cor
responding physical strength, there would
be no doubt of his nomination. ] do not
think the Western States will insist upon
naming the candidates they desire, for
success predominates over every other
feeling. Butler, in my opinion, has no
chance for the nomination. He would be
too hard dose for the Southern States.
II see no prospects of a reconciliation
between the stalwarts and half breeds.
They hate each other worse than they
hate the Democrats. Blaine'S chances
are poorer than in 1876 or 1880. Arthur
does not desire a denomination. He is a
gentleman, a good fellow, and has made a
better President than any other man
would have done similarly situated.
Grant has not the ghost of 4 chance.
Pendleton has no originality, c~enter-
prise
Mr.. Dana further said that he did not
believe the Civil Service Commission
would accomplish anything. He said the
opinions of Irish revolutiOnists would not
spirators have no place in this republic.
In conclusion, he said that American
journalism is progressive, and expressed
the opinion that California would I'M
dOubtedly be one of the greatest States of
the Union.