The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-01-05
Presidential Talk.

the national Republican convention has
been definitely located, a number OF the
leading bosses are out IN open letters
intended to shape the campaign and the
sumo time present thoir personal claims
for the party nomination. Old Simon
Cameron IS out in his quadrennial letter,
which is brought to the light Of day BY
an ostensible interview with cores
pondent Of the Philadelphia Press,
which is the personal organ of the sly
old fox. The letter is lengthy and III
many respects shows the wanderings of
an old man in his dotage, who Is anx-
ious to press his personal claims for
recognition upon his party, and at the
same timo keep his real object in the
background, BY appearing disinterested
as to whom their standard bearer shall
be. The letter can be viewed in no
ether light by the practical observer
than direct bid for presidential nom1-
nation The old man forcibly repre-
sents how he has during the sixty years
of his public life, by master strokes OF
policy and political cnicanery, controlled
national conventions and secured the
nomination fer his favofite candidate
When the ostonslble reporter asks.
"Who will be the candidatef' tho old
man shrewdly says that 'syou will have
to ask some one else. | am not in poll
tics now, though I keep pretty close
eve on the current events. The pos
session and use of political power is ex-
ceedingly fascinating and | like to study
the ebb and flow of the tide as we'll as
ever One thing | will say; the Re-
publican candidate next year must be a
strong, positive man; one who carries
the confidence Of the country and can
lie relied upon for a vigorous yet con-
seryativs policy, if elected. There are
several such men in the party and |
have implicit reliance in the wisdom of
o Republican convention to name such
one; some man capable Of dealing
with the highest duties Of the crisis
which we are rapidly approaching. /
shall never take part in presidential
CANVAS again, and must decline to name
aRv of the men whom I think would be
acceptable candidates" lhe letter dis
ousses the tariff question throughout,
and selfishlv contends for free importa
tion of raw material and high tariff or
manufactured articles, which is the
key note of the Republican policy upor
that question.
President Arthur in his message tt
Congress tried to straddle the tarif
question, the silver coinage question
the payment of the national debt, til,
retirement of the national banks, tn
internal revenue and all other ques-
tions Of national Importance. He il
now holding high court at Washington
aad other places throughout the coun
fry, at which the splendor of Rome il
the days of the Caesars, sinks into in
significance. He nav be considered
we'll groomed and full-fedged candidate
and with the public patronage at hi
disposal would DO formidable, was it no
that the ghost of the murdered Gar
field will not down at his bidding.
Blaine is ont in an open bid for tht
presidency, in which he is trying t.
play the role of the great decliner. II
bis letter he claims to have struck tb,
happy medium and suggests way o
disposing of the surplus revenue with
out reducing the price of msnufactuee
articles, (assuming that it is for th,
best interest of the people TO pay til,
highest price for What they consume.
To do this he proposes to take the rev
enae collected on whisky and tobacco
and distribute it equally among tht
States. This proposition for childlik'
rinplicity surpasses any thing of th'
kind ever suggested, and Congress vii
no doubt vote him medal and til,
department issue him patent on tn
iRvoption, When his plan is fully ven
tilated he will he practically out Of tn
fight.
The present indications are that Johl
A. Logan of Illinois, western mar
supposed to be identified with the agri
cultural interests of the great Nortl
West who are tired of paying tribute
to the New England manufacturer
bids fair to be the dark horse on mo
lasses platform, which can he read te
mean any thing or nothing on The grea
issues, SO werded as to be susceptible
OF catching votes.