The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-05-15
Presidential Matters.

The time rolls along. and as the
Chicago convention approaches, inter-
est in the men who are prominently
mentioned in connection with the,
democratic nomination deepens. 1t
is to be battle between protection
and practical free trade, or tariff for
revenue only. If free trade sentiments
rule at Chicago, western man,
either Morrison or Mcdonald, will
bear off the honors. If protection
musterS stronger in the convention,
Randall will be the man. If the two
policies lock, then a compromise will
be in order, and either Cleveland or
Flower, of New York, will fill the first
place. If free trade wins, perhaps Flow
er or Cleveland will go on the ticket
second to either Mcdonald or Nor
rison. The standing of the two gen.
tlemen, Flower and Cleveland, in
New York, in view of these compli-
cations, becomes matter of impor-
tance; their relative strength a>legit-
innate subject of comment ard exam
ination. Flower is unquestionably
strong. He has made a fine official
record, and is man of splendid abil-
ity, while his moral character is with
out spot of blemish. His career
in congress was brill ant and he
developed excellent organizing
ability, and all those qualities gen.
orally indicating great fitness for pub
lie service point to him as a
man entitled to the confidence of
the party as he is one who would re-
ceive its enthusiastic support at either
end of the ticket.
1t is a generally recognized fact
that we must carry New York if we
would elect the democratic ticket, un-
less we have revolution throughout
the country on the basis of sweeping
tariff reform. In that case the deci-
sive field of the campaign will be To-
Gated in the west and not in New
York. But be that rs it may, the
man who CAN carry New York for
the democracy in any case becomes of
Importance and he must be considered
both now and at Chicago.
Governor Cleveland, it is true, carried
the state by an enormous majority.
This was due in a great measure to
many circumstances outside of per-
sonal popularity. Of the latter he
has lost considerably since his Undue
ton into office. His veto of the five
cent fare bill, his approval of the Rose
veit one man power bill for New
York, his quarrel with the senators
who opposed the confirmation of Mr..
Murtha as commissioner of immigra-
ton and his personal comfort letter.
are all of them matters which do and
will still seriously effect his
standing with the unstable and
tickle people of the empire state who
vote en- masse to-day for democracy
and overwhelmingly tomorrow for
republicanism. Neither John Kelley,
Samuel j. Tilden, Governor Cleve-
land nor Captain Rynders did ever or
could ever hold them long to any
line of policy bearing close resem-
blance to real untampered-with-dem-
ocratic party doctrine or policy. The
pet of the moment, the master OF the ]
occasion and the idol of the hour is
the man for New York ordinari ly
Mr.. Flower is immensely rich, he is
liberal, genial, generous and philan-
teropic. He has the ear of the
mob, and he stands full in its eye. He
is for tariff reform, and it may become
necessary to give him a trial. 81
1t is no light thing to say of him
that he is one among the few men who /
can carry New York on any ticket, or
upon any platform. The individual
who can do that can never become in
significant, will always command at
tention not only in New York, but all
over the nation as well. We may not
ike him-may, In fact, both hate
and despise. but for all that
he is a big man, and he will.
f he wants to, force recognition
It the hands of the party in any ma
ional council it may assemble. The
ruth of this assertion will be felt at
chicago, and all the more sensibly, be-
,ause the west will feel very much
ike making any arrangement which
will place any obstacle whatever in
he way of the great Pennsylvania
,rotectionist. All will be lost to the ;
vest and south when Randall is NOM
mated, and there will still be hope so
ong as he is defeated, no matter by
whom.
In this light Mr.. Roswt II p. Flower
'ecomes parsonage of importance, of
consideration and even of anx-
ous solicitude. The old men {