Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-05-31
INDIANA
Talk With Ex-Governor Gray on the
Presidential Outlook.

Nuncie Qnd.) COR. Washington critic.
Ex-Gov. L. p. Gray, Of Union City, was
here this week, and during his four hours
stop l had a talk with him on the politics
of Indiana generally, and the condition of
the Democratic party in particular. Col.
Gray filled the uneXpired term Of Cover
nor caused by the death of Blue Jeans
Williams in 1880. He made as good a
Governor as he did a Lieutenant Governor.
He is an able lawyer, practicing in all
| parts of the State, but continues to make
| his home at Union City, on the Indiana
and Ohio line. His name is a household
| word in this State, and he is hOnOred as a
| statesman, q lawyer, and q gentleman.
| AS he is now probably the most prominent
| Democratic candidate for the GubernatO-
| rial nomination, his views upon political
matters are to be taken as indicative Of a
| large portion of the sentiment of his party
here.
'WhO will be the next Speaker Of the
House in COngressy ~ inquired Colonel
| Gray of me during our conversation, and
| during which he exhibited a keen interest
in national affairs.
H'Since Carlisle and Blackburn have
| been cutting their own Threats so long, it
| looks as though the race has paused be-
fore the doors Of Sunset Cox and San
Randall" / replied.
"Could Sunset Cox remain sufficiently
serious in the Speakers chair TO give the
place dignity?'
"He could, and believe he will, if he is
made Speaker, be a serious man"
"Well, if he can impress the fact upon
| the members / believe he will be elected.
Randall is handicapped by his views OF
the tariff. / don't believe the Democrats
will elect a PTOtectiOnist like Randall"
"WhO will the Democrats nominate for
| President?'
sit would be wild to guess now. / see
many of the newspapers are running up
| the old ticket-Tilden and Henricks-but
| that is the height of fOOlishness. The
| Democrats must have new men and raise
new issues; hen we will elect our candi-
/ dates. The election in Ohio THIS fall will
| nave great weight upon the nomination
i'm certain events. If Ohio is carried by
less than 10000 majority by either party,
| it is my opinion that both Presidential
| candidates will come from that State, and
it is to secure Ohio that both parties will
labor most a~ssiduOusly," continued Col
Onel Gray.
"But if Ohio goes Republican or Dem
Ocratic by a majority exceeding 100000"
"Then Indiana will figure prominently
for the nominations"
"And in the event the convention first
nominating places IN Indiana man in the
| field. the other will follow suit!'
every likely"
"Should Indiana come to the forefront
as a Presidential maker, who in your
opinion will be the menu"
mcdonald by the Democrats, and
probably Gresham by the Republicans.
Don't you think Gresham has the lead Of
Harrison now ?" inquired Colonel Gray,
in turn.
"Gresham is very strOng," / replied;
'but Harrison has an enthusiastic sup
port, also, and the past has proven that
Harrison wears well. He has been BOOM
ed several times for the Presidency, and
to-day he is as strong as ever in every
point, while as a statesman he has grown
much stronger"
During the continuation of Il talk |
learned that Colonel Gray is not only OBJ
posed to free trade, but that he is conser-
vative on the liquor question; that he is
not only opposed to the old ticket in 1884,
but that he is partial to ex-senator JOS
| eph Mcdonald, whom he believes capable
of carrying this State against any man,
and that he has reached the conclusion
that the old leaders of the Republican
party in this State are in a fair way to be
superseded by younger blood, which will
make a livelier campaign next year than
there would be in the event matters went
on as they have been going. He believes
the Democrats are nearer national SUI
premacy to-day than at any time since
the war.