Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-15
B0THOUTFOR CLEVELAND
HAMILTON FISH AND BRISTOW
REPUDIATE BLAINE.

Their Support to Chicanery and Cor
ruptiOn-They Prefer Honesty and Re-
form In q Clean Democratic Candidate.
The principal diversion the past
week, says a Saratoga special, has
been swearing at the weather and
talking politics-especially talking poll
tics. 1t has even invaded the ranks of
the ladies, and along the shaded Yerandas
the names of Cleveland and Blaine are
heard from feminine lips more frequently
than "plated basque" or ''W atteau train"
Among the men there has been much
serious comparison of political views and
grave discussions of Mr.. Blaine's past re-
cord. The sturdy old ex-Secretary of
State and Ex-Governor. Hamilton Fish, an
old-time friend of Mr.. Blaine, leads many
of these discussions. In spite of his
lifelong devotion to the Republican cause
he is outspoken in his admiration for
Cleveland, and in his bluff, hearty wav
says so to the little group of admirers that
can always be found about his favOrite
seat. Such men as Benjamin III. Bristow,
who was Secretary of the Treasury while
Mr.. Fish was at the head of Grants Cabi-
met; Francis Walker, Chief of the Census
Bureau, and others, men whose names
stand at the head of the Republican party,
tiOn TO vote for Cleveland. 1t will be
their first vote for any other than Re-
publican, they say, but they must vote
for him unless they choose to not vote at
all. The idea of supporting Blaine is not
even considered.
The venerable MIR. Fish, whose services
as Secretary of State under Grant, and as
Governor of New York, elected by Whig
voters, make him one OF the most promi-
ont in ,of
averse to talking publicly of his prefer
enee for Cleveland.
SPLENDID RECORD AS GOVERNOR.
81 am out of politics altogether" he
said, sand it would hardly look right for
me to take any active part in the cam
paign under the circumstances. 1 have
the greatest respect and admira-
tion for the Democratic candi-
date, and personally / should like
to see him President. He has made
splendid record as Governor, and believe
would do equally we'll as the Chief Execu-
tive. There is only one thing l shall
possibly fear in voting for him and that is
the Southern Democratic element. Cleve-
land himself is all that could be desired,
but he might-mind, say might-be con-
trOlled by the Southern Democratic ma
jority. Even though j vote for Cleveland
it is the man and not the party iudorse.
Why, l still consider myself Republi-
can, and a good Republican, tOo," and
the Ex-Governor dropped into a reverie as
he reviewed his half century of political
service.
''NOw, about Blaine," he resumed, in
retrospective sort of way. 81 know him
personally, and a more agreeable, fasci-
mating man / never met. But his past
record"-and Mr.. Fish, broke off abruptly
and pursed up his lips, fearful of saying
too much. 81 won't say anything of his
dOings in Congress, for on that point there
is some dispute, but his course in the de-
partment is patent to all-you know it as
well as Land it cannot be too strongly
condemned. l don't want TO talk public
ly-I am out Of politics and really must
not say any more. Still, it is the most
uncertain election l ever saw. What
with Butler in the East and st. John in the
West, and the Independents everywhere,
there is no telling where we will bring up.
L wish L knew" and with an inquiring
look he turned to a party Of friends, as
though they could tell him.
81 SHALL VOTE FOR CLEVELAND"
Benjamin H. Bristow was equally mod
est. He had been too honest for Grant as
Secretary of the Treasury, and ever since
then had tried to keep out of politics.
"You know l am not public man any
longer" he said, $50 don't ask me to say
anything. Talk to my old chief, Mr.. Fish.
l have only one vote, and the deposit of
that constitutes my entire political work
this campaign"
"And what name will be on the ticketr
81 shall vote for Cleveland as an en-
phatic protest against the nomination of
such man as Mr.. Blaine. 1t is the only
way can protest against the candidacy
of so dishonest and corrupt man. Yes,
my one vote is for Cleveland"
''It will be your first Democratic vote,
will it nOt"'
81 don't call it Democratic vote, sir;
| call it an honest one. l am not in love
with the Democratic party, and am not a
Democrat. But / really will not say any
more," and with that the soldierly eX-
Secretary joined his chief ON the veranda,
where the record of Mr.. Blaine was
handled in calm, dignitied way, but
without gloves.
ANOTHER CLEVELAND RECRUIT.
Francis H. Walker, eX-Superintendent
of the Census, is another of the prominent
public men up here out of politics. Mr..
Walker, lifelong Republican, changes
his vote this year. 81 shall vote for
Cleveland, but l am still Republican,"
he said. 'The Republican nominee has
always had my support except when
Grant ran a second time. Then L did not
Note. LII MdSSdcluSeIIS, my SLaIe, Jne
candidacy of Butler has taken from the
Democrats 10000 of the most disrepu-
table voters. On the other hand, be-
heve that fully $4,000 Of the best and most
intelligent Republicans will vote for
Cleveland. The independent movement
is large and we'll organized, but it is
doubtful whether it will counterbalance
the Butler detection. 1t looks somewhat |
now as though the Blaine managers were
becoming afraid of the spirit they had
evoked in Butler. He is not wholly under |
their control, and seems to be hurting the |
as much as any other party" |