The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-03
NO CANDIDATE SURE.
Lend Claims on Both siSes-Cenressiens ei
Weakncss-Arthur Losins Ground.

kNoo N1AtHue ON ootn SioSs-&onIce&ion& OF
Weskncss-Arthur Losine Ground.
Colonel A. X. Mcclure, OF the Philadel-
phia Times independently, telegraphs I'M
der date Of Sunday as follows: There is
not an ordinarily intelligent observer OF
politics in Philadelphia or in Maine or in
California who is not now as well informed
OF the probable action OF the Convention
to meet here on Tuesday rs the most saga
cious and tlreless correspondent or politi-
cal leader now in Chicago. SpecuIations
can be obtained In infinite numbers and
variations. but the plain truth Is that
nobody in Chicago tonight can give
anything else than blind guess as to
the relative strength OF the leading
candidates, or as 10 the nominee for
President. IL Is known that Blaine and
Arthur will both be mewhere near 800
votes on the first ballot. but which will be
over 500, or which lead the other, will be
determined not earlier than Monday night
or Tuesday morning. Blaine Is likely to
lead Arthur, and he may lead him by as
much as fifty. But il Is possible that Ar
thur nav lead Blaine. There are not less
than 100 delegates who are likely to divide
between Arthur and Blaine, but how they
will ultimately divide-whether they will
give nearly ffty to each, or one fourth or
one third to either and three fourths or two
thirds TO the other-is an undetermined
problem. and time and circumstances will
bring a solution only as the ballot is about
TO face the voters.
LOUD CLAIMS on BOTH SIDES.
There have been active booms for both
Blaine and Arthur, but rs yet there are no
visible signs Of practical results. Blaine
has been most earnestly wbooped up by his
friends, and everything within the range
of doubt has been loudly claimed for him,
while the friends OF Arthur have whooped
his cause by speeches OF solid men and
glee-club songs, and have claimed as ex-
travagantly rs the Blaine men; but the
sober fact stares both sides in the face to-
night that they art just about where they
started. There is not the logged concen-
tration yIelble ut any OF the headquarters
that was so conspicuous here four years
ago. Blaipe's forces seem TO be less COM
pact than they were here in 1880 or in Gin
einnati In 1876, but the opposition docs not
exhibit fair semblance OF the compact
ness or desperation displayed against Blaine
four and eight years ago.
Arthur's nomination Is remotely posi-
bic, hut it is more likely that he may lose
third or more OF his irst-ballot strength
early in the contest. Blaine's nomination
seems to be only possible. and he may fall
in the first dash and lose one third or more
OF his first-ballot strength on the third OF
fourth vote. 1t Is generally conceded that
Blaine must be nominated or be brought
Clearly within reach Of the nomination on
the first ballot, or his lines will fater.
CONFESSIONS OF WEAKNESS.
There are no stubborn, all-day staying
Qualities displayed by the bulk OF either
the Blaine or Arthur columns. With the
exception OF leaders, who know and seek
to avert the danger Of such confessions OF
weakness. delegates are beard on every
side discussing second-choice candidates,
and looking we'll to their lines OF retreat.
of course it is given out at the Blaine, Ar
thur, Edmunds, sherman, and Logan
headquarters that they have no second
choice, and that they are certain TO hoid
their lines until q nomination snail De
made, but 1t Is evident not only that they
can't do it, but that they know they can
do II.
The floating brigade is the biggest factor
in the fight, and il will keep floating untll
II can surely strike the winning man. The
winning man can't be known for twenty
four or forty.eight hours, and the floaters
will keep floating until the winnlng-post
shall be clearly in sight. They will nibble
at the Arthur bait and coquette with the
blaine men, and take harmless shy now
and then around the outer edges OF the
Edmupds, sherman, and Logan pastures,
hut they will be In the market until the
last cali. and then they will look only 10
success. To predic. the action OF such a
Convention would be simply TO expose ig-
norance or 10 confess deceit. The whole
battle Is vet to be fought, and front candi-
dates never had thornier paths in any ike
Convention Of the past.
BLAINE GAINING STRENGTH.
Misunderstanding has perceptioiy weak
ened to- night. 1t is manifested by grow
ing disposition to unite the Arthur, Eu-
m1pds, sherman, and Logan forces against
B,aine. and the Arthur men are conspicu-
ons in The as vet unorganized movement.
The ca,ise of the weakening OF the Arthur
men is the decentralization displayed Ia
several OF the southern delegations. Gay
ton. OF Arkansas. has openly deserted Ar
thur. and the charge that he mas Deeh
reached in a commercial way Is ikely 10
develop more cupidity among conslu-
eruble number OF the southern uele-
gates. The Arthur leaders speak conhoenuy
Of repairing all breaks in their nhe, Du.
the general judgment at this hour Is tna'
Arthur cannot beat Blaine. III that iui-
preston shall be confirmed tomorrow, aS
now seems probable, Arthur will be prac-
tically. aud possibly formally. OUT OF Tue
race before a ballot Is reached. Unless the
Acid elements shall fail to concentrate on O
new man interesting developments may be
eynec.ed tomorrow. Blaine Is stronger
within the last hour than he has been al
any time in the contest. a. ~ W.
AnJ00uY ARTHUR CONFERENCE.