The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-14
Notes from Washington.
Beiford, the Colorado Congressman at the
Front-His Relations with ConlkIing and
the Two GHen CSmpnred-BelfOrd I'm
terviewed en the Presidential Question.
Especial Correspondence of the Press.l

Especial Correspondence of the Press.l
WARRINGTON, March IL.
Mr.. Bedford of Colorado is filing quite
prominent position in the public records just
now. He manages to say something wise or
otherwise in the House almost every day and
usually to make people laugh, whereat he i'm
medately gets himself into print. Beliord's
funny things are not very funny, nor are they
very smart, as rule. He is, however, per-
son of some consequence just now from other
reasons than those indicated above. Ex-
Senator Conkling seldom comes to Washing
ton that he does not see Belford. 1t is a
curious fact, very curious that such man as
Belford should be the friend and confdant of
such man as Conkling. Belford is rough
and tough, red-headed, red faced red whisker.
ed, loud-voieed, rude, unkempt, the qualities
and peculiarities of the frOntiersman always
asserting themselves. On the other hand
Conkling-but every body knows what CoDk-
ling is, probably nobody wonders more at the
relations of these two men than the men
themselves, or at least than one of them. sit
is an anomaly" said Mr.. Belford himself when
speaking of his relations with Conkliug to
your correspondent to-day. "It is an anomaly
that should have been chosen by President
Garfield to pacifcate and bring about an un-
derstanding with Mr.. Conkling, and it is the
fact, and am willing to add" he said slowly,
that it was not Mr.. Conkling's fault that
this compromise was not accomplished"
Since the momentous events which follow
ed quickly upon the failure of that attempted
peace Conkling and Belford> have been, as
they were before, friends; and when Conk ling
comes to Washington, or Belford goes to New
York, they meet and spend hours together.
Belford, in spite OF his eccentricities of manner
and thought has running through it all
streak OF hard sense, and more intelligence
than he is given credit for. 1t is this fact of
the intimate relations between these two men,
and the influence which the views of the
greater must have been the expressions of the
less, which make Mr.. Belford's utterances up
on political questions just now especially in
teresting.
81 think" he said to your correspondent
to-day ia answer to a leading question as to
the duty of the Republican party ia the sp-
preaching Presidential campaign, "thst its
duty is to nominate either Grant or Blaine
Logan is pretty good man, good fellow, and
man OF ability, of course, but he is not ex-
actly the sort of man We want for President
not now at least"
''Do you think Grant or Blaine could carry
the doubtful States like New York?'
eyes," he answered, ''and be elected. 1t
may seem rather curious, but l am confident
that either of these two men would support
the other most heartily. If Grant should be
nominated, Blaine would support him, and il
Blaine should be nominated Grant would come
to his aid.''
And Mr.. Conkling?"
81 could tell you what Mr.. Conkling would
do in either case, or, perhaps, in case OF other
nominations, but will not. Perhaps it would
be better to change that and say that know
what he would do, but cannot tell. for NV
talks with Mr.. Conkling on these. subjects
have been confidential, and of course canno;
repeat them"
You look for the election of the Republican
candidate. then, whoever he may be?'
"Yes," he replied, "this time. There is
however, movement on foot which seems to
be likely to be the germ of very important