National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-07-12
DRIFTING THE RIGHT WAY.
Florida Acknowledged to be q Doubt
fal State by Well Informed Demo-
Macon Telegraph.

tut Stuto ny well INFORMED Demo-
Gratis.
Macon Telegraph.
Recently. ia view of tho evident fact
that politics in Florida were badly mixed,
and that the state would become u worry
important issue in the presidential CAM
paign. tho Telegraph prepared series of
questions relating to the situation, and
sent them to one Of tho most prominent
gontlomon of that state, a man who is
thoroughly conversant with tho facts
handled, having served tho state In many
important rotations for years, and who
has the welfare Of tho democratic party
at heart. The following is the interview.
1t may DO relied upon as expressing tho
opinions of the best informed man in
Florida:
What is tho comparative strength Of
parties in Florida?"
well, 1t is not safe to base any oompu-
tations on the election Of 1880. There
were many allegations Of fraud, and It is
not possible to assert confidently what the
true vote WAS In 1882 the democrats
carried the state by $50 10 $40 votes.
Tho whole natural strength Of the inde-
pendents is between 1000 and 1900
votes"
"Will the independents support Blaines"
II think not"
"Has either party lost strength since
1s76T
"No; both parties have gained"
How has immigration affected the
state voter"
THE vote of 1882 seems to indicate that
| the greatest gain has been with tho ro-
publicans."
Is tho Cuban vote of any importance.
and with what power is it allied 2"
There are 800 or $50 Cuban voters in
the state, probably. OF these fully one :
third are solidly democratic, and the re-
mainder Is variable and unreliable. On
national questions they arc controlled
by the junts in New York, so l am in
formed"
"Will the large corporation interests DO
used to affect votes?"
~ think not"
us there any apparent preparation on
the part OF the republicans for the presi-
Dental campaign"
as they have not yet held their conven.
tions."
Is there any division in the demo.
cratic party in Florida 2"
| Yes; there Is q very unfortunate
breach, which promises poorly for har-
mony and greatly endangers our success:
q breach which ought never to have been
| created, and which might have been pre-
vented or speedily healed"
What are the nature and causes of
this division 2"
| well, as to the nature of it, IL 10 divided
between regulars and independents
and between the liberal northern and
western element and the prospective
southern element. As to cause-first there
in great distrust in tho minds of many
men as to the integrity Of the present
administration, and q widespread dissatis-
faction as to its methods. out of these
have grown the independent movement.
carrying with IL svns young mon who are
and have been highly useful to the democ.
racy. Another cause of dissatisfaction IL
the Disston SALE by which 1000, 900 acres
of territory, nearly the entire public
domain of the state, were disposed of to q
northern Spectator for % cents an acre
who in turn has been selling it rapidly al
from $1.25 to $40 an acre. Another cause
of dissatisfaction is the very general OK
clusion of northern democracy from office
in the state; thus the governor, lieutenant
governor, every cabinet officer, every
circuit judge and state attorney, every
sheriff, &C., is either southern born OF
served in the confederate army. This fact
will not produce revolt, but 1t is prolific
Of apathy"
ITO what extent will this condition OF
affairs affect the presidential campaign
ut will mako Florida very doubtful
state"
Explanatory ofthe above interview, and
of Florida's political situation, it may bs