Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-17
MFR. CIcveIond's Popularity.

Mr.. CicvelRnd's Popularity.
The President has lett Washington for
the Adiroudacks, where he Will spend MS
vacation. Doubtless he has noticed that
the press in different parts Of the country,
/ particularly in New York, is discussing
the question whether he is a candidate for
nomination. Strange as it may seem, the
/ impression seems to be that he is candi-
date. ana that his efforts from now until
the meeting OF the convention in 1888 will
be directed towards securing renOmlna-
ton. 1t is even limited that a struggle is
now going on between him and Gov. Hill for
the control OF the State of New York, and
that the appointment Of Magone from the
interior OF New York State to the New
York Collectorship is one OF the incidents
OF that struggle.
Doubtless the President has considered
the question OF a denomination, and it Is
very probable that he would like TO be
President for another term, but the
shrewdest politicians have not yet been
able to pointto any single thing for which
| the President is responsible which indl-
Gates that he is aiming to succeed him.
self. The appointment of Mr.. Magone
certainly cannot mean that he expects
that gentleman TO harmonic the New
York city Democracy in his interest. 4
he had been looking for some one who
could secure solid city delegation for
him to the national convention he would,
in all probability, have appointed a strong
local politician as Collector. The ap-
pOintment of Mr.. Magone apparently
means that the President has no conf
dence in New York city politicians and is
afraid to trust great office to one OF
them. Mr. Magone is known to be a
capable and an honest man, and his ap-
pointment means that the affairs of the
New York custom house will be honestly
administered if it is possible to so admin
lister them.
The question is being asked whether
the President is as popular now as when
he was inaugurated little more than a
year and half ago. His friends say that
he is-in fact, that he is more popular,
while those who have given him only a
half-hearted support, or have been openly
hostile to him, are either in doubt or de-
clare that the Democratic politicians have
no further use for him.
The truth is, doubtless, that as a gen.
eral thing the politicians are against him.
They have not been permitted to handle
the patronage as they pleased, and as
they expected to handle it. Although
they shouted themselves hoarse during
the campaign for civil service reform, and
urged the passage OF the civil service re-
form law, they never expected that Mr..
Cleveland, if elected, would regard the
law and the pledges of the Democratic
party with respect to it as binding. They
expected to deceive the people, and when
they found that the President wouldn't
permit them to do 1t they assailed him.
But is he not strong enough to defy
them? He is confident that he is, and there
are excellent reasons for thinking that
his confidence is not misplaced. The
President has succeeded in making the
people believe that be is honest, and that
his first and only consideration is the
public good. If he can continue to make
bhOih DCAlCNO WIS ~ VIII AOb NC pOo-
sible for the politicians to defeat him il
he seeks a denomination.
Before the time for choosing Presiden-
tial delegates arrives every impor-
tant office, and most of the minor Off
ces in the country, will have been
filled with Democrats, every one OF
whom will be actively In favor of
the Presidents denomination. They Will
feel that the reelection of Mr.. Cleveland
will mean their retention In office, and
while they may not have themselves
elected delegates they will take care, in a
quiet way, that the delegates selected are
Mr.. Cleveland's friends. With the office
holders and the people In his favor the
politicians will find it very uphill work
if they attempt to defeat him.