New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-12
THE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN
Mr.. CURTIS AND "HARPERS WEEKLY."s
CRITICISM AND COMMENT ON THEIR COURSE By
MCooK

| CRITICISM AND COMMENT ON THEIR COURSE By
GENERAL M'COoK.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNE.i
WASHINGTON June 11.-There was considerable
demand to-day for the current issue OF Harpas
Weekly on account of the editorial defining thea
tude of that journal toward the Republican ticket
The article was disappointment to the Democrats
who had expected Its tone to be more hostile, a.
well as to Republicans who had OBJ
tanned from Mr.. Curtis, since the
adjournment OF the convention, an impression
that he would not allow his personal disappoint'
meut to override his sense of duty TO his party
and his country, and cause him TO repudiate the
action of a convention In whose proceedings he par.
tIcipated from the beginning to the end.
Among the Republicans who read the article
with care was General Anson G. McCook whose
independent views of political matters have more
than once brought him into conflict with
machine" leaders in his own party, 10
TRIBUNE correspondent General Nc
toriaI, and, as suppose it was
written by Mr.. Curtis. I am much surprised at it.
do not understand how man of Mr.. Curtisa
presumably high sense of honor can take the
position he does. For the first time in the history
of our party the National Convention was
composed of delegates chosen directly
by the Republicans of the different Con-
gressional districts. The abolition of tho unit
rule was brought about largely in consequence OF
the demands of men who believed there was
danger to the party In it's continued enfoIce'
ment, and unless l am much mistaken Mr..
Curtis was one Of the most persistent
advocates of the new departure. At all events,
under 1t he was selected as a delegate to Chicago,
and from his reputation and his position as chair
man Of the New-York delegation, he became at
nf no fiQuIes
convention He spoke oftener, perhaps. than any
other delegate-was listened to with attention and
respect-was consulted with and deferred TO by ALL
When the resolution was offered binding in ad.
vance the members of the convention to the sup
port of the ticket it was withdrawn chiefly be-
cause there was no disposition to do anything that
rocked like coercng Mr. Curtis and those who
acted with him.
NO COMPLAINT BY MR. CURTIS
Neither Mr. Curtis nor any of his friends CONS
planned of the methods by which the nominations oil
Mr. Blaine and General Logan were brought about.
There was no complaint of the absolute fairness or
the whole transaction, and Mr.. Curtis himself says
that the nomination of Mr. Blaine is doubtless
agreeable to the majority of the Party The plain
fact is that no convention has represented
more fully and clearly the honest and untram-
meled views Of the delegates and their constituents
When the nomination of Mr.. Blaine was made
unanimous Mr.. Curtis remained silent neither yot-
ing nor protesting against it, and subsequently ha
took part in the nomination of a Nice-P RESIDENT
voting for his favOrite and announcing the vote OK
the State of New-York Irecognzc the right OF a
Republican to bolt a nomination when 1t has
been secured by dishonest or disreputable
methods or when he is denied q right
to participate IN the primary meetings of
his party. Bnt when man has tax part in tho
proceedings of convention when he neither com.
plans of its methods nor enters protest againso
the result l confess that refusal TO support the
nominees strikes not only wrong IN itself, but
destructive of party discipline and party organza-
ton.
DEFEAT NOT LOOKED FOR.
"I do not believe that the action of Mr.Curtis and
Others called Independentsiwil be successful IN de-
feating the Republican ticket, but should they do
so it is as certain as anything can be in the future
that they and they alone will be responsible for
the destruction of the party"
"Haye you any knowledge of what the boys
will doi'
II have not seen any of them since | left
Chicago, and have no right authority ia
speak for them, but from my knowledge
of them they will give loyal and Jealous support
to the ticket. In certain quarters 1t has become
the correct thing to sneer AT and bette them but
they are stanch and true Republicans, and are en-.
titled to great consideration for the faithful and
successful work they have done in the interests OF
the party"