St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-14
The Acknowledged Leader Of
the House of Representa-
tives Put Forward,
With the Great Keystone State at
His Back, and Friends all
Over the East.
Tilden Reported to Have Letter Pre-
pared Declining to Accept a
Presidential Nomination.
Blaine's Boom ColIapsing Early Because Of
the ''Previousness" Of His Conf
Dental Friends.
The Finger of Destiny Pointing TO Ed
munds and Lincoln, With Grant
in the Background.
Especial TELEGRAM to the Globe j

publishes the following special to that paper
from New York: Mr.. Tilden has absolutely
declined to permit his name to go before the
national convention at Chicago as candi-
date for president. He has quite completed
a letter which will be addressed to the chair
man of the New York Democratic state con-
vention, or possibly to the chair
man of the New York delegation to
Chicago in which he announces he is not a
candidate. 1t sets forth his reasons more
emphatically than his letter to the New York
delegation to Cincinnati in June, 1880, and
includes some references personal to him
self He believes that the Democratic nom
inee should be one who could enter upon the
work Of reformation as the head Of the gov
ernment with an unvarying vigor.
BEN FRANKLIN TALKS.
EX-Congressman Ben Franklin, of Mis-
souri,, who has been in Washington for sew
eral weeks, and known heretofore as strong
supporter Of Tilden, states to the GLOBE cor
respondent he has every reason to believe
the correctness of the dispatch. He had
been confidentally advised some time since
that Tilden would in his own proper way
convey his determination not to be a candi-
date for the nomination or ac-
cept the same if nominated, Mr..
Franklin thought Tilden would be much
gratiGed to have the nomination rendered
him, so that he might decline and use his in
fuence in behalf of the nominee who could
be elected. The issue, in Franklin's opin-
ion, would be confined to the doubtful states
of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and,
in a certain contingency, Pennsylvania.
There was nothing to be gained
by nominating a candidate with
out regard to his chances in doubtful
states. Any candidate nominated by the
Democracy could carry the southern states
with 1913 electoral votes, but the other 40
necessary votes must come from elsewhere.
He thought a candidate should be nominated
with special reference to this dcsideratum.
Franklin called attention to the fact that
Randall had become a formidable candidate
in view Of the discussions among Pennsyl-
vania Republicans. He believed he could
carry that state. He was also strong in New
York, New Jersey aud Connecticut, which
state had already given evidences of a revolt
against tariff reduction. This was the terri
tory where the Democrats must look for
electoral votes, and therefore the necessity
for subordinating all questions to that of
availability of the Democracy were really
DESTROYS Of electng their presidential nomi- |
nee. Franklin said it must be evident to the |
country that although Randall had been bad
ly beaten for speaker and buffeted
numerically by his adversaries in
his own party, he was to-day
THE UNDoUBTED LEADER
and strongest force in the house This was
acknowledged by Republicans aGdDemocrats
alike. He did not think it wise to press
man to the wall with the great state of Penn
sylvania behind him and undoubteG powerin
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
No one knew Tilden's preferences,
but Randall enjoyed Tilden's confidence
to an unlimited extent, and had had recent
interviews with him. Randall knew
more about Tilden's wishes perhaps than any
other Democratic leader. Franklin did not
advocate Randall as his candidate, rather
favoring Judge Field, who, he believed, could
carry New Jersey, New York and Connecticut,
and would be stronger in the west than Ran
dali, still he thought that the Democratic
National convention should look solely to the
essential OF availability outside of states
which are certain for the Democratic
candidate, and the policy of
sighting and belittling such men as Randall
was not only wrong but criminal. Franklin
expressed the hope that the Republicans
would select Blaine, as he would be easier to
defeat than any other of the contesting can
dldates for the presidential nomination. He
thought, however, the ticket would be
EDMUNDs AND LINCOLN,
unless a furore should ensue for Grant,
which was more than probable, if present com
plications were not adjusted. He spoke highly
OF Arthur who had under great difficulties
made an acceptable president, more so than
any other vice president succeeding to the
chief magstracy He did not think, how
ever, in view of the New York opposition,
that his denomination was possible.
BLAINE FOR LOGAN.
For the past two days there has ensued a
sunden change in the attitude of Blaine's
friends. They now declare he is
not, and has never been,
an avowed candidate, rather favoring
Logan's nomination. This announcement
is alleged to be the logical sequence of the
attacks on Blaine in the New York Evening
Post and Herald. Baine's managers reprove
him for having been too precipitate, not only
in publishing an extract from his forthcom-
ing book, but in permitting such activity in
his behalf in Pennsylvania, New York, and
elsewhere, which has had the effect of elicit
ing adverse criticism from his adversaries,
both among Republicans and Democrats.
HIS STRENGTH HIS WEAKNESS.
The six weeks intervening before the as
sembling of the Republican convention will
be utilized in airing his soiled linen and the
esult will be that his positive strength will
prove his greatest weakness. When the
ground is carefully scanned at Chicago the
outlook is that the Blaine tidal wave will be
rolled back upon him, and his confidential
friends lay the blame on Senator Warner
Miller and the New York Tribune in forcing
his candidacy at an inopportune moment.
THE BEE IN GRANTS BONNET.
Gen. Grant has left for New York, and
speculation is rife as to the result of his visit,
which is known to have been mainly polti-
cal, although at the Grand Army camp fire
last night, in commemoration of the battle
of Vicksburg. Gen. Grant shook hands with
Arthur, lack of cordially was
plainly apparent. The occasion took
the shape of an ovation to
Grant, with good show for Logan. The
presence of President Arthur was completely
overshadowed by both Grant and Logan,
and not only the ex-solders, but the audience
went wild with enthusiasm. Whatever may
he Grants purpose in other directions there