The Dawson journal., 1884-04-24
Payne for President.

Ni-A- HA--A-D1 ~APAAA C' AAOh'
Henry b. Payne has been very re-
ticent on the presidential question.
H has steadily refused reporters
who have approach
ed him on the subject any lengthy
conversation, and has positively
declined to say anything at all as
regards his own candidacy. Some
days ago your representative talk
ell with Mr.. Payne, and asked him
numerous questions on the politi-
cal situation, He declined to say
who he favored as candidate for
the Democratic nomination, and
when asked the direct question as
to whether or no he was candid
ate he could only reply evasively,
saying that he wished the press
and public would drop his name
for awhile and give him a rest
Last night a reporter approached
him on the same grounds, Mr..
Payne again evasively replied: IF
men will chase the shadow for the
substance [ cannot help it." AS
Mr.. Tilden has made Mr.. Payne
his political heir, the conclusions
are plain enough that Mr.. Tilden
Is the shadow which men chase,
while Mr.. Payne essays the role of
the substance.
This morning your representa-
tive enjoyed a confidential chat
with a warm personal friend of
Henry B. Payne, and one of the
most intimate persons Of his &C.
quaintance. At his own request,
and to avoid a natural result of ill
feeling to arise between these two
gentlemen, his name is withheld.
In the course of his remarks, this
friend of Mr.. Payne made the
following statements
Henry B. Payne is placed in
peculiar position, as regards his
candidacy for the presidency. |
can appreciate his feelings. He
is very sensitive by nature, and
his several political defeats during
his life have caused him much
anxiety. He realizes his popular
ity with the people, knows that
Tilden and other Democratic lead
ers are his friends, and most of all,
he is rich enough and so liberal
that he would willingly put $780,
900 into the campaign. There is
no doubt in my mind that Mr..
Payne would like to become presi-
dent of the United States. He
has at times said as much to me
III an otf-hand way. Six months
ago he would have been ready to
enter the race and publicly an
nounce himself as a candidate
To-day he thinks otherwise. The
discussions in the democratic par
ty and other disagreeable things
have discouraged him. Not that
Henry b. Payne has lost faith in
his democracy, his party, or the
principles; not that, but he feels
that the chances for the election
Of Democratic president are
growing less each day, and that
the boom for Blaine, Lincoln and
other Republicans which are
sweeping over the country mean
nothing more or less than the
election of Republican president
IN November. Mr.. Payne will not
push himself forward as a candid
ate, you may rest assured. He
will not spend his money and un-
dergo the cares of a presidential
campaign which will bring him
only defeat in return. This is the
exact situation. In the meantime
Congressman Paige, Oliver Payne,
and other friends are keeping
Payne's name before the public by
means of interviews and denials,
with the hope that the Democrats
will nominate him at Chicago. II
this conclusion could be reached
Mr.. Payne would not decline-it
would be against the principles of
his DemOcracy-and he would
make as gallant a fight as was
possible. He would seek the
nomination if his chances for cleo
ton were only better; as it is,
Payne does not think he could
carry Ohio. He can read the
handwriting on the wall and take
advantage of it. l think myself that
he will be the nominee of the
Chicago convention. At all events
his friends will work early and
late to bring about such a result. "
Editor Smith, of the Sunday
journal, the new Democratic pa
per here, and which is said to have
been established in Payne's inter
est, said tonight that Payne was
certainly a candidate, and all the
talks, denials, and reticence was a
part of the game to secure Pavne's
nomination.
THE TAMMANY CHIEF WRITES AN
OTHER LETTER.
WASHINGTON mil q 49,: