Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-06-19
BUTLER ON THE CAMPAIGN.
What He Thinks of the Chances for
Success
BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
He Doubts the Wisdom Of Pitting Grover
Cleveland, Of New York,
Against BIaiue---His
Reasons.

NEw YORK, june ls.-Gen. Butler, while
on q visit to- this city on business, ex-
pressed himself freely on the political out
look. When asked his opinion on the de
fection in the Republican party caused by
the bolt cf the Independents, he replied:
9n my opinion the Democrats are in
olised 10 underestimate Blaine's STRENGTH
and lay too much stress upon the Indepen-
dent movement Blaire will surely bring
out the full Republican vote Of all the
Western States. Ohio will give big share
of hers to him. Pennsylvania may be put
down as solid for the plumed Knight, The
Democrats must put a remarkable strong
war horse to catch California If it fails to
do so, the Golden Gate will cast her cleo
toral vote for the man from Maine"
Reporter-But is not New York the battle
ground?
Gen. Butler-Yes, and the neighboring
States of Connecticut and New Jersey. In
New York this curious political condition
arose. In 1882 10000 10 $4,000 Republi
cans voted for the Democratic candidate
for Governor, and so many Republicans
stayed at home that he was elected BY the
enormous majority of 1872, 600; but with all
that majority he received only some $50
more votes than did Hancock in 1880. But
what was the Republican vote, either active
ly voting or remaining silent? 1t was
protest against the Republican ad-
ministrat'On which had repu-
d ated Nj. Blaine, and against its
nominee, Mr. Folger, by the Republicans
devoted to Mr. Garfield and Mr. Blaine and
but few OF them are the men who now bolt
Mr. Blaines nomination. That vote of
course will now 90 back to Mr.. Blaine. So
it would seem to unwise for the Democracy
to count on that vote for carving the State
of New York. That that vote is not TO be
depended upon by the Democratic Gov
ernor who was so trimnphantly elected is
seen by the fact that the very next year,
when the Governor caused his friend 10 be
nominated as Secretly of State-the lc.d
ing officer on the the tickeS Mr.. Mayn.rd-
he was defeated by some 10000 votes, while
the rest of the Democratic ticke, was
elected making change in one year (if
ANYBODY could be so silly as to believe that
the 1872, 900 majority of the previous year
was 10 be relied upon as Democratic vOteS)
of 222, 900 votes.
Reporter-WhO do YOU think can carry
the State ef New York
General Butler-Pardon me. II would
neither be profitable nor proper for me to
make prophecies II would neither be in
teresting nor valuable. But if YOU desire
will state few facts The Governor felt it
his Cuty as a matter of administration to
veto the bill which enacted five-cent fares
on the elevated railroads. That involved a
very large amount of money to be taken
from the middling and Iaboring classes, who
principally use that railroad every year, as
Won will see, when the statistics show that
81 900 900 people are carried yearly on
tesse roads, the veto securing to the rail
roads ten cents fare, instead of hve cents |
each. making a sum of Si,S5OO0O yearly. |
If the veto had stopped there, perhaps it
might have been shown that this was neces-
sarv to be done, althoagh,it it gave an impetus |
to the snti-mOnOpolists which they never be-
fore had: but the ground ON which the veto |
was based was certainly not Democratic, |
and that there was no constitutional power |
in one Legislature to regulate and abridge |
privileges granted by a former Legisla-
ture to
A Public Agency,
however, oppressive those privileges had be-
come. Again it has been unfortunate for |
the Democracy that the Legislature has
passed bill with the approval Of the Gov
prnor taking 6pm the Alderman chosen BY |
the people the power of rejecting or con
tirming the appointment of city officers, and |
that confined TO the city q New York
alone, apparently as punishment applied
to that city becanse it gave Democratic
maiorities The constitution of the United
States and of every State in the Union,
framed by our Democratic fathers, have
placed the control &c the appointment of
officers in the hands Of part of the Legis-
ative body, and the same rule has been aP-
Piled substantially in all cities The OIL
.crs of the city Of New York have more
important duties and have larger emOlu-
nents than the officers OF most States in the
rnion. If our fathers were right, this bill
s not Democratic. but Evors the one-mau
power. That the example was immediate
v attempted to be eofaed in regard TO the
CITY Of Boston bv the Massachusetts, Legis-
ature. with two-thirds Republican major
tv, emphasizes this construction. If the
Democracy will permit the Republicans,
1olting or regular, TO nominate its candl-
late for President for it, why may not this
be carried through al branches Of
1ar GOyernmeatT
Blaine Proteetionist.
Again, Mr. Blaine is protectiOnist, and
New York has become the greatest manu-
aeturing State in the Union, and Connectl-
,ut and New jersey are in proportion
equally interested in the tariff question.
Now, everybody knows that upon that ques-
ion Gen. Hancock was beaten in New
York. and everybody also knows that the
of free trade in this country
would benefit England aDd her dependen-
,ies more than all other countries in the
4orA. II viii he very difficult to convince
A large class Of our citizens, especially |
hose who are not at all in love with Eng |
a nd OF her institutions or her treatment OF |
Ireland. that IL is best To vote for the candi-
late OF the Democratic party in favor OF
free trade, and thus to play into the hands
Of our old enemy, John Bull. Is it not an
fact that TO carry New York is
necessary to the success Of the Democratic |
party3 Can anybody who cannot reconcile
all the differences in The party in New York,
and who will be open to local antagonists,
carry that State however great or high his
qualifications may be?
The Republican Platform.
will you express your opinion upon the
platform the Republicans adopted at
Chicago?
1t is regular straddle. 1t Is a sort OF
measure 1t reminds me
very much of general store. such as you
sill always find in a small country village.
1t bids for every conceivable class Of Gus
toners You pay your money and you
take your choice This platform throws
bread to the iaborer, sweet
moIsel to the mORopolist, tickles the rev.
l. IL L.