The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-02

Democrats and Greenbaclxers Seeking Man
to Beat Blaine.
New York Special
That Butler came here, the other day, for a
political purpose was generally suspected, but
only now has the secret come out. There was a
conference held at the Fifth-ayenue Hotel be-
tween him, John Kelly, Governor Hoadly, Sam
uel J. Randall Lester B. Faulkner for Roswell
P. Flower, Representative Ermentrout aud gem
tlemen representing Thomas F. Bayard, Joseph
A. Mcdonald and other leaders. The object was
to settle on the best man to beat Blaine. Cieve-
land was not represented, because all believed
his nomination meant certain defeat, and the
loss of New York on the start
Kelly told the conference that Cleveland's
nomination would give Blaine New York by 40
600 to $4,000, and even render New York city
doubtful. The conference soon resolved itself
into anything to beat Cleveland, and the feeling
was unanimous that Butler is the only man to
beat Blaine. Butler said he would step into the
breach if no eyenuereform plank was put in the
platform
Tilden's message to the conference was if he
could name the man to run on a ticket with him,
he would consent to run. He said he would not
die easy, knowing that Hendricks would succeed
him. He expressed the strongest opposition to
Hendricks. This proposition was not received
with enthusiasm by the conference, there being
prevalent idea that half the old ticket would be
of no use in the present emergency.
The plan proposed was for Butler to head the
Massachusetts delegation to Chicago, show him
self there to have support on all hands, and in
augurate fighting campaign. going into Maine
il September, and capture Blaines own State.
He would be seconded by the national commit
tee in this brave assault on Blaine's stronghold.
If he could carry Maine, the result in November
would be assured If defeated, no discredit
would result
1t was stoutly asserted in the conference by
Virginian that the Democrats of that State
would be solid for Butler and Mahones inhu-
ence would be thrown for him. Butler has
lately become large landowner in Virginia,
West Virginia and Kentucky, and is a great fa-
vorite wherever he has appeared in those
States.
AS an answer to the impression that the South
would not vote for Butler on account of his war
record, there appeared the sound and evident
fact that he would split the colored vote For
every vote lost through unfoRgVing Southern
ers he would gain three negroes
A prominent Western Democratic congress-
man at the conference said Butler is already in
the field III the West and votes for him will be
greatly increased from the Democratic rather
than the Republican party. AS a third candi-
date Butler is liable to poll million and a half
OF votes, over million of which will come from
the Democratic party.
The Irish question in all of its bearings was
fully considered Kelly said the revolt of the
Irish was enough to elect Blame unless Butler
was n1hinated. Leading Irish lawyers and ed
itors W0uld throw their influence in favor of
Blaine. Even Maryland is unsafe. Maryland
is Republican outside of Baltimore, and that
city is Democratic only by grace of the Catholics
Western members OF the conference were SUR
prised at the sentiment against Cleveland IN the
East They centralized Butler with better
grace after learning his STRENGTH in tha Eist