National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-12
Presidential Possibilities.

1t is curious fact that there are In Con-
gress to-day only very few meu who were
contemporaneous with Mr.. Blaine.and who
can be considered IN the light OF
available presidential timber, A glance at
the Republican side will fail to show a
single man who served in the House with
him and who could by any possibility be
called dark horse for 1888.
In Maine, MI. Blaine's own state, there
is the leader of the minority In the person
of the sharp, incisive, and far-seeing Tom
Reed. Reed has about all the qualifications
Of popular idol. In the first place. he
served In the war of the rebellion, point
which had never been ignored by tue Re.
publican party up to the sime when 1t
nominated its fret defeated candidate.
After Lincoln came Grant, Hayes, and
GARFIELD, each Of whom achieved honorable
distinction in the field. Mr.. Reed has many
points In his mental makeup which closely
resemble Mr.. Blaine. Brilliance and an
audacious courage are as strongly marked
in Mr.. Reed as they are In the Maine his
torian.
Reeds place as the leader Of the Repub-
llcan side is definitely fixed for two years
at least He occupies a unique position In
that respect. While there may be, and
probably are, some others who would ill
the post Of leader Of the Republican mi
nority with entire acceptability, yet 1t is an
undisputed fact that Reed is the only man
whose abilities are conceded by every one.
Thus II happened that when this Congress
came In there was only one man to lead the
forlorn Republican hope, and that man was
Tom Reed. Hiscock was thought OF aud
mentioned by some, but 1t was acknowl-
edged on all sides that Reed was by far the
best choice that could be made Now Reed
will have two years in which to distinguish
himself. When he speaks the country gen.
orally will recognize that what he says
represents the sentiment OF the Republican
party in the lower house of the legislative
branch Of the government. From this van
tage ground he will have the very best op-
| portunity OF pressing his name upon the
mind Of the Republican national conven-
| tion OF 1883.
Another presidential possibility is Mr..
Hiscock, Of New York. Tiscock is man
OF great ability, and who has gone through
| some Of the most exciting scenes In Con-
gress without laying himself open to dis
| paragement. II 1t wasn't for his indiffer-
| ence Hiscock might be big man In his
| party-much bigger than he Is to-day, but
| he is q man who loves his ease, and lacks
the snap and vim of Mr.. Reed.
The third available candidate is eX-Gov.
| Long, OF Massachusetts. Gov. Long has
created most favorable impression upon
the minds Of leading men Of the country
| since ne mas Deen In washington. lie la
| just entering upon his second term as q
representative, to be sure but the House
regards him as one of its foremost men.
Gov. Long is not a man possessing the
virility and vivacity of either Reed OF
Hiscock, but he never speaks with.
out drawing fire from the Demo.
cratic side, nevertheless. 1t is In the
calm, dispassionate discussion Of an issue
that Long shines the brightest. In the con
tests Of wit, sarcasm, and the vlndictiyenes:
of partisan prejudice Long has no place
| perhaps for the reason that he has never
sought 10 distinguish himself In that direc-
tion, preferring to give up these particular
features of congressional debate TO otherE
who enjoyed them more than he did.
| Thus Gov. Long is quietly going along In
the House making points where they will
tell the best, and taking the minimum Of
risk for his own reputation. The contin
gency may arise In which the next Repub
lican national convention will seek out JUS
such man. On the other hand, should thu
head of the ticket be taken from the west
Long would be an available man for tn,
second place.