The Portland daily press., 1884-04-08
Political Notes.

There are not great many Republicans In this
State who desire the nomination Of President Ar
thur, but they make an imposing showing for their
numbers They are nearly all Of them working
pontlclans. They are experienced, watcniui, SC
i've and, of late bold.-New York Times.
There is not boom candidate In the field who
can command the support Of the independent voters
Of New York, and we do not believe that Republi-
can convention can be assembled this year, mat
ter how hard the machines everywhere work which
will be reckless to ignore that vote In its dnal
action. We have great faith that the swinging OF
the reform club, which has proved so beneficial at
ALBANY will be an equal power for good at Chicago
New York Evening Post
The Detroit News publishes the result Of an ex-
tended canvass of Presidential preferences In Mich
igan: For President, of 2 ,445 Republicans seen,
munds, 394; Logan, 200; General Sherman, 1877;
John Sherman, 81. OF 1,O94 Democrats inter
viewed, Tilden received 45l; Hancock, 92i Nc
Donald, 81; Payne. ~; Butler, IL. The rest were
scattering The Republicans are unanimously for
Secretary Lincoln for the second place on the ticket
What fact is to me clear-and think 1t Is TO
every ,well-regulated mind-that the Democratic
party is to-day placed without leader in its ranks
OF Importance. 1t is in position Of which 1t do
serves to be ashamed. Its whole record Is marked
with mistakes and the sooner its elements dissolve
and unite with other parties which have some
principles in common the better will 1t be for the
country and for those who cling to the faith. What
we want in this country is protection for our mate
rial interests, the abolition Of political crimes, the
humiliation Of large land holdings and the abolish
ment of the jury system."-Gen. Joe Johnstone.
The News and Courier threatens us with an over
whelming popular demonstration in favor OF what
1t calls revenue reform" Let It come. But We
must say that we cannot see any signe OF It. ON ne
Democratic leaders that, far Virginia Is con-
eerned inevitable defeat would follow the adoption
by the Democratic party test Of party fealty Of
resolution in favor Of tariff for revenue only.
There are in this city thousands OF Democrats who
would not vote for any candidate for Congress-
standing such DlatfOrm.-RichmOndD inpAtch.
Friday and Saturday were bad days for Arthur In
New York. In Monroe county his opponents VIII
control the congressional convention which meets
at Rochester Wednesday. George William Curtis
was elected to the Richmond county convention,
and the prospect is that he will be sent the con-
gressional district convention, and from there TO
Chicago. His preference is Edmunds. In Jetfer-
son and st. Lawrence counties, Blaine leads with
Edmunds a good second. TIE Yates county con-
vention elects two Blaine men and one Edmunds
man to the State convention. The Blaine men are
also very jubilant over the jamestown caucus Fri
day, for the 31st congressional district convention,
the vote standing, Blaine 800, Edmunds 1Ol Ar
thur 3, Lincoln B, and Conkling 2.
Senator Beck, In his speech in Congress opposed
the educational bill. Mr. Beck is one of that kind
of Democrats who seek political motive in eVory-
thing that Republican suggests. He, for instanco
opposes the educational bill because he thinks 1t an
entering wedge of absolute federal domination by
the Republican party in Southern States. II l.
possible that Mr.. Beck's far-seeing logic detects
that If the initerats whites of the South are given
the benefits of education they will 20 back on tho
moribund Democracy and join hands with the live
progressive educated element of the people a.
the case Senator Beck's logic does him credit but
we fear it will not command the approval of his
Democratic brethren.-Albany Journal.
If the Independents are Republicans it is their
duty to work within their own party to secure the
nomination of candidates satisfactory to them Just
as other members of the organization must do. II
they are Democrats let them act as such within
their party. If they are neither Republicans
Democrats Demo they shonld stand aloof, and permit
legance to parties and party principles TO name
the candidates desired by maorities either side
Then the Independents can make their choice be-
tween the two, seeing nothing to choose, stay
away from the polls or scatter their votes they
please; No political organization can afford 70
yield the privilege of nominating its candidates into
the hands OF men who are regardless Of party obi
gations.-Troy Times
1t Is not denied that President Arthur has given
the country q safe conservative, clean and honest
administration, but he has not been sufficiently az
gressve. 1t is admitted that his appointments have
been of the best kind, but he has lacked policy
His critics eoncede that the laws have been faith
fully executed, and the general affairs of the gov
eminent administered with efficiency and success,
but the administration has not been brilliant"
enough Friendly relations have been maintained
and strengthened with foreign nations, but they
have not been made to fear the United States Gov
eminent as much as they ought to, or might have
been made to, by a President with decided Ameri-
can policy. The country has prospered In great
interest has been advanced and the public welfare
has been promoted, but we have not achieved glory
enough. This is the substance of the criticisms
made upon President Arthur's administration by
the supporters of other candidates for the presidon-
EDUCATIONAL Republican.
The present condition Of the democratic party In
closely analogous to that in which it found itself
Just before the breakup of 1860. Now, a. then.
the disagreements and distractions that place 1t It
crosspurposes with itself are sectional in their na
ture, and based upon other considerations than
mere differences OF personal opinion with regard h
an abstract matter OF party faith or policy. The
trouble lies deeper than the leaders are willing 10
acknowledge or than the rank and iile are able to
comprehend 1t is the South against the North
with the tariff question substituted for the slavery
question, just as it when the split came in the
Charleston convention. The present anti-tarid
wing of the party is to all practical intents and
purposes synonymous with the prO-slavery wing OF
the party at the period refsrred and the eight thew
have iaaugurated is really aimed at that Industrial
system under which Northern enterprise has made
such rapid strides and Northern labor has Rained
so many advantages.-St. Louis Globe Democrat.