The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-04-16
Correspondence Of the PREss.l

L
arthur cannot be nominated" Such was
the remark OF a strong supporter OF the Prosi-
| dent. This seems to DO the general opinion en-
tertained by observant politicians throughout
| the State. The opponents Of Mr.. Arthur 60
| knowledge it with unconcealed satisfaction.
His friends. while yielding to the truth of the
assertion, do not hesitate to express their con-
tempt for what they call the ungenerous Atti-
tude taken by those who do not favor second
term. There is no denying there is shade OF
inconsistency in the position Of the anti-Ar-
thur men. At the conventions for the election
of delegates they endorse the Administration
and then turn about and virtually withdraw
this endorsement by voting to support some
candidate other than the President. While
they are all along cr,iug against the machine
methods with which Atthur's name has been
associated in the past, in not q few cases when
the time comes for choosing their represents
tives they indulge in the very same methods
which they have denounced.
1t is but natural that people should expect
the Administration to use the patronage for
the furtherance Of its own interests. We
judge of the future somewhat by the past.
And doing this, it is but following the logic Of
events to assume that Mr.. Arthur will ask the
federal ofice-holders to support him. Such,
however, does not harmonic with the facts.
There is no doubt that the ofice-holders, or At
least good part Of them, are friendly to the
Executive and will do all in their power to en-
sure his nomination. Gould anything else be
looked for? 1t Is human Dsture 70 help him
who has helped or favored you. But that the
President is personally, by word, look or deed
making any systematic attempt to influence or
coerce the government officials cannot be
proved, and il asserted, cannot be substantiA-
ted. He assumes an air Of indifference that 10
almost exaspeEatiQR,. to bjs.~WoEe ardent sup
love, war and political elections, have no pa
thence with a man who will not, Tor bis own
benefit, utilize what is within bis grasp. The
President through IL all goes aloog IN the even
tenor of his way, believing, no doubt that ~
this course he is gaining more strength
throughout the country than he would were he
to take hand in the game in his own state.
Undou btedly he takes the correct view. The
common remark is, "n Arthur could have
New York behind him he could be nominatedi
not other wise" II the President should Dy
machine methods make an attempt to get this
united following, he would in so doing lose the
vote from every other State in the Union.
De knows this, and from policy, II for no other
reason, wisely refrains from taking part In tho
New York delegate elections.
The anti.administration men give as the
reason for their refusal to support Arthur
that he could not carry the State II he
received the nomination. While prominent
Republican in Congress recently made the
claim that his party would carry the country
without New York, it Is but fair to say that
he is inclined to be a little over-confdent.
This State beyond doubt is essential to a sure
election of the Republican ticket. Ot course,
then, it is wise to put up as a standard bearer
the man who will draw the largest vote, or ct
any rate man who will draw vote sufficient
ly large to free the Democratic electors from
G s0 Ss OF SC'ns Gau2RdH sDeshns
lieve Mr.. Arthur's strength in New York is
underestimate. honestly think he can TO-
day poll as large vote as any other man
whose name has received serious mention.
His administration has won over to his side
hundreds who heretofore have been opposed to
him. The business element Is favorable to
him almost to q man. Interviews with many
Democrats Of standing and influence reveal an
Here in New York city Democratic merchants
and bankers have openly avowed their inten-
ton of voting for him should he be nominated.
They say it is wiser to keep in power what We
have tried and has not been found wanting
rather than to make new trial OF that which
may be found wanting. Many, while they
say naught against Mr.. Arthur's course bat
rather praise him, frankly confess that they
prefer another. Not that they love Arthur
less but Blaine or Edmunds more.
While 1 am firm in the conviction that the
5r Logan, others i6eIievs hs CANNOT ana Rseiss
cordingly. The returns from different parts Of
the State tend to show that there will be any
thing but strong Arthur delegation. Mr..
Blaine is developing surprising amount Of
strength. Here and there Edmunds Is show.
ing up, but in no respect equally with the ex-
Secretary. The New York de'egation will be
divided between these three. The struggle q
Cat It'll hate A. nRa md md
should net be surprised VI the adherents OF tho
latter outnumberna tnnse OF the former. It is
not unlikely that ths s na1r from Vermont
will be the second choice Of nearly all OF the
delegates, and IN the opinion Of many 1t Will ho
a second choice that will amoant TO something.
While the Arthur mtn are. under existing
circumstances, not particularly hopeful rs 70
the final result OF the convention ballot, am
led to believe that the friends Of Blaine also
are not over-confidsnt. That the ex-Secretary
will make handsome showing is now morally
certain, but his friends fear that he cannot
| quite command q majority. As in the past, he
| will at the start take leading stand In the
| the balloting But 1t seems highly probable, -
in the last conventions, he will not have forces
| from which to draw additional strength
strength that Is absolutely necessary. All who
| go to Chicago favorable to Blaine will be for
| him heart and SOUL Those who do not vote
| for him will, as a rule, be hostile to him.
There can be no break in his favor as there can
| be for a man against whom there Is no decided
| opposition. as a Blaine man remarked to me
recently, "He will be the most popular man In
| the convention, his name creating more en-
thusiasm than all the others put together. But
| there will be a strong anti-Blaine element and
| stampedes have done the business Of late
years." Another says, 81 am for Blaine, first,
| last and all the time, butt am afraid he can
not increase his vote after the first few ballots,
| and he will not enter the race with enough 70
nominate. Blaine, Arthur and Logan will
| make respectable showing for the first eight
/ or ten castings. From that time predict Ed
| munds's tally will gradually increase ballot By
| ballot until he carries the day. The Western
/ ers will dislike at first to vote for an Eastern
man, but they viii see he is the second choice
of nearly all the Eastern delegates, and, being
made to realize that they have had the head OF
/ the ticket from every convention since 1850,
| will accept the Vermonter as the coming man
| in the election. II such be the case, nothing
under heaven can prevent Bob Lincoln from
| being put into the second place." This would
| make strong ticket, as Republicans and DEM
/ ocrats alike admit.
Edmunds would do we'll in New York. There
is no hostility to him. He would get the full
Republican vote; would receive the support Of
the Independents, and il the Democrats keep
on with their laundering, as they certainly
| will, he would have the ballots OF some from
| buAb QollOEallLou OIkhuAAatAOus TUT lumuy E5A~
sons he would be the strongest candidate that
could be named. He would draw all the
''Half Breed" votes, some Of which would b
withheld, possibly, IL Arthur were ON the tick
ct; he ould receive the suffrages Of the indie
pendents. who would TO some extent stay ct
home IL Blaine were the standard bearer; -he
would be supported by those who look upon
Logan with disfavor.
The delegates thus far chosen will, as rule,
go uninstructed. The preferences OF many are
for Blaine. The administration men claim
that the ex-secretary's strength is being exag-
gerated, but it Is fact beyond dispute that 10
has support that exceeds expectations. His
friends fear the Opposition Of New Hampshire,
| Vermont and Massachusetts, they have q dis
trust OF the delegates from the South, and
keep a sharp eye ON the Logan men OF the
West. As 1 have said, they are not over con-
fdent, but will make strong fight for their
favorites. W.