Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-02-18
A DEAD CALM.
The Political Waters Unrufilsd by
Presidential Breezes.
THE CONTRAST BETWEEN 1880 AND "a
What Blaine, John Sherman, Arthur, Ell. al.
are Doing-The Payne Boom and
PendIeton's PosItion-An Old
Veteran Speaks.

third-term movement bad set the country
all astir. Washington was then the centre
Of endless intrigues. The Blaine and Grant
headquarters in Washington were crowded.
The hotels were filled with scheming poli'
ticians, who discussed their fsvorite can
dfdates with so much zeal as to almost
come to bows. Clubs were organized
throughout the country that were In
almost daily communication with the
Loading candidates ~ Washinstvn. john
Sherman had his Treasury forces hard al
work in the South and had all his alliance.
made.
Now there is
Not Single Candidate
who appears to have any aggressive follow
ing. There are shoals of strangers coming
here every day to spy out what they call
the lay of the land, but they come here
in an Indifferent frame OF mind and are
apt to forget politics in social amusements.
Four years ago every dinner or reception
had some political significance. Now the
social season was never gayer and politics
less the object of the uum erous gatherings.
1t reminds the veterans of politics in 1852,
when Pierce and King were nominated
and elected. Then the compromise OF 1850
had modified for time the angry feeling
between the different parties. Now the
politicians are
Looking About for Issues
over which real feeling can be awakened.
The dull indifference OF the time is we'll
illustrated by the frequent remark OF care
less visitors that they would be only too
glad TO avoid the excitement OF a Presi-
Dental election and let matters go on as
they are. There is not day passes, how
ever, that visitors do not come here for the
purpose of consulting with men reputed
TO be Republican candidates. Thev make
it point, as general thing, to call upon
them all. The most accessible head
quarters are those OF Gen. Logan. Callers
begin here early in the morning, aud con.
tinue at intervals late into the evening.
Mr.. BIaine's House Is Besieged
during the evening ouly, because his Lit.
erary labors keep him confined during the
day. He walks up and down his parlors in
the evening chatting upon current matters
and never avoiding any discussion OF his
own personal position. He says frankly
IL am not candidate, and, what is
more, will not be-"
But his charm OF manner and warm vel
There are many callers at the White House
during these days, but the requirements
of the Presidents position make him al.
most inaccessible to the general political
visitor, who is here more for the purpose oil
satisfying curiosity than anything else.
Blaine, Logan and Arthur have the bulk OF
the callers, although there are occasional
delegations that stray into the elegant
house OF
Millionaire John Shermrn
on X street or up to the n,,ts mo lest
house OF the Vermont Senator, Edmunds.
John Sherman's callers are manly from
Ohio. The New England and Eastern peo'
pie are the ones who 60 to see E1munds.
He takes no pains to propitiate callers. lie
sees but few people, and the few he does
see he nearly psralyzes with his icy man.
ner. He poses in his unique position OF
the high and the disagreeable. He asks
absolutely nothing of the politicions II
they take him they will not make single
pledge to the IN and they all know TO Ger.
tainty that his friends would fare worse
than his enemies. Although possessing
half million dollars and
An Enormous Inc0me
from his law practice, he yet lives as il
y
Few Of the visitors who come here m .Ee
apy pledges, still less DO they ask for au
thority to work up booms in any OF the
States.
For what are the workers waiting is
daily asked.
1T is for the result of the tariff debate
in the house." is answered.
This can hardly be, for the effect Is al
ready discounted. Although Mr. Morri
son still refuses to be convinced the pass
age Of his bill is no longer yasSed among
the political contingencies.
The Talk About Payne
- the Democratic candidate, comes from
b. bet roli,icians at the Capital. Some
= :. ..rri ,sking dwell upon the fact that
ilI,. con influence might be counted
,,. . weight against Payne, when the
.,. o lat Pendleton Is already friendly To
he Payne movement, or at least viii give
it bis support. The election OF Payne
would leave vscancy in the United
Senate for which fendlston would have 9
not sy,rse 10 diplomatic service. There
are hundreds OF good reasons for Penols
tons surpor ing Payne TO one for his
opposing him. Inde d, Mr.. P.ndleton has
taken
His Reverse in Ohio
very pbilosophcally. TCere is not sin
yle ore OF his Senatorial colleagues wht
nave heard from him one word OF bitter
complaint. AL OF the unk nd things tha
nave been said have come from the Sena
tors's friends. There is less and less o
dis talk every day as the fact Of Payne
canvass takes on more and more positiv.
shape. In every Republican conference
sbere candidates are discuss.d Payne II
constant tly used as the gauge OF whist Eil
he required il Ohio.