The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-24
doubts and confusions to be longer tolerated.
asks Tom Browne, of Indiana, and the world ID
waiting for Congress to answer that question.
MAY
LOOKING FORWARD TO 1888.
The Most Prominent Candidates for the


The Most Prominent Candidates for the Pres.
idency-Cleveland, Carlisle and Blaine.
Washington Special N. Y. Commercial Advertiser.
1t seems rather eariy to begin canvassing for
the next presidency, but in reality the congress
ional campaign of 1886 is only kind of over.
ture to the campaign of 1883. AS has been re-
peatedly pointed out in these dispatches, neither
party cares particularly about the control Of the
next House of Representatives. OF course. in
dividual members are very solicitous for their
own reelection, but the parties at large care lit
tie about the general result of next autumn's
campaign, except in so far as it will have bear
ing on the presidential campaign two years
hence And so all the talk that one hears among
the politicians here has a more or less direct
reference to the action of the next national con-
ventions and the probable candidates.
All winter long there have been but two possi-
BILE Democratic candidates Cleveland and Car
lisle-and only one prominent Republican candi-
date, Mr.. Blaine. The Democratic politicians do
not like Mr.. Cleveland, but they see that he is q
favorite with the people, and the general im-
preston among them is that they will have
to renominate him. Especially is this the opin-
ion OF those Democrats who have recently made
pilgrimages to their homes and talked with their
constituents in local and district conventions
assembled
If they should not renomnate him. the oues-
tion would infalibly arise 'Why not9p
This would be an awkward question to an
swer lt would involve a confession that the
President had been deserted by his partv for
manifesting those very qualities as an executive
which the people admire in him. and for main-
tanning the principles which they expected and
desired him to maintain.
Mr. Carlisle. however is by no means out of
the contest yet The kentucky delegation for
mally set his boom in motion at dinner here
on Saturday IL is universally conceded that he
is a man of integrity and great ability and that
he would make good President. But his part
nershlp with Morrison and Willis has done him
more harm than good lately. Both these states
men seem to be on the down grade and the no.
iitical ideas which they and Mr. Carlisle particu-
larry aHect are at present rather under cloud.
A great many things are liable to happen in two
years. 1t is true. but at present Mr.. Carlisle has
a much better chance for the Vice presidency
than for the Presidency
Neither Mr.. Cleveland nor Mr. Blaine has
been seeking denomination, but both have
acted In such way as to make it highly proba-
BILE that they will secure it. The President has
attended strictly and faithfully to his business
In manner calculated to win the appreciation OF
the plain people of the country. He has kept
himself above the horde Of politiciz-s and place
hunters, and yet has managed to dispense q eo,a
many favors to them. He has chosen+she rsehs
side of political questions, in the ma sns nas
at Last forced his party to confess that ne ia
right on at least one of the main questions hith-
Lie
HIS position in regard to the tariff has been
rather passive, but in general he has been strong
and consistent, and the politicians are aware
that his popularity Is on the increase, especially
in the West
AS for Mr. Blaine. his course during the list
two years could not have been more judico is
lie has apparently kept out of politics, but has
not allowed himself to drop out of the public re-
memb brance. He has not whinpered or buled
but has gone on writing history and making oc-
caslonal speeches at opportune moments keep
ing thoroughly posted on affairs in general and
maintaining constant communication with his
political friends privately He has taken the
best care of himself, and is now in better health
than four years ago, or, in fact than ever be
fore. 1t Is safe to say that be will not decline
denomination Il ii is offered to him, all reporis
to the contrary Notwithstanding The Blaine
men in the House and Senate are saving openly
nowadays that he will be the next Republican
candidate. The anti Blaine men do not agree to
this statement, but they do not deny that Blaine
has a far better chance than any one else, and
meanwhile it is noticeable that they are as far as
ever from combining on any candidate against
him.
Furthermore, it is ntimated that, when the
proper time comes Mr.. Blaine will astonsh the
country by coming out as a champion of civil
service reform, and will enter the campaign as o
reformer of the strictest kind. Instead of fight
ing Mr.. Cleveland on this issue he will ESSAY to
outdo him in his devotion to the reform He
will concede that the President has done we'll,
but will claim that he himself will do better.
Mr.. Cleveland, it will be said has done nothing
to hurt the country, but Mr.. Blaine will do
something to positively benefit it. He will not
only carry out thorough system of civil-servica
reform. but he will also take positive measures
for the protection Of all our home interests. He
will see to it that American commerce is revived
and nourished into activity, and he will adopt
vigorous foreign policy, with the object of keep.
ing Canada and Europe in order.
This is substantially the tone of political
thought as it finds expression here at present