The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-14
TAKING POLITICAL soUNDINGs.
Distinguished Republicans Appear in the
Metropolis and Begin Heaying the Lead
sUooIsl to the Indianapolis journal.


NEW YORK. Nov. 13-James g. Blaine has
been here ten days. with plummet and line,
sounding the political depths Whitelaw Reid
and Steve Elkins pulled the boat with mufficd
oars, and Blaine himself heaved the lead The
labor rock s said to have been accurately located
and several shoals and reefs have been mapped.
1t ID thought tina. channel deep enough to float
the Republican frigate of 1853 has been dis
covered, although nobody seems to know
her exact draught of water Blaine, however,
seems to have devised plan TO avoid the labor
rock. aud even to make it useful by crowding
The Democratic craft upon it, wind and tide per-
uniting How this is to be done may be seen
with single eye-glass Blaine has always been
skillful compiler of election returns. the
wires East and West have been kept humming
since his stay in tbs city. Look at the returns
and you will and that the Republicans
have majority of Congressman elect
in the next House o: Representatives
in bare majority of the States. Indeed, the
whole thing may hinge on the new election for
Representative in Congress in the Second dis
trict of Rhode Island. The Democratic candl-
date at the late election had large plurality. but
under the State law it requires a majority to
elect on the first trial. As the figures now stand,
without Rhode Island. the vote by States in the
Fiftieth Congress will be tie. If the election
is thrown into the House the Republicans will
need the vote of Roger Wiams's State to
carry their candidates into the presidential
chair. In the present House the vote by States
stands: Democrats, 49, Republicans, 16; tied, 3
In the next House. on the latest returns, it will
be Democrats, Is; Republicans 1S; tied, !; and
Rhode Island to elect the man who will virtually
have the casting vote. Whether Blaine has had
any hand in changing these figures or not, the
result may make him President if the election IS
thrown into the House.
With sure footing thus obtained in the next
House, Blaine can, in Wall street parlance, go
''long" or ''short" the labor vote, and win
other way. # George or some other theorist is
p candidate, supported by the labor unions and
Knights of Labor, il will certainly damage the
Democracy as much the Republicans. With
rs shrewd man as Blaine at the helm, all deals
with the George men failing. the choice could be
shifted to the House and the white plume float
triumphaptly.
The appointment Of Gideon J. Tucker as
railroad examiner indicates that President Cleve-
land has already taken the alarm. Tucker is a
labor agitator. poor in pocket. tut rich In intel
lect He evidently regarded the Presidents
offer in the light of a doe-butt Being no
mans dog he spurned it. The paucitv of the
sop has made the Labor men indignant, and has
undoubtedly strengthened their lines
Another phase of Blaire's visit is worth not
ing He had hardly alighted at the Fifthave-
the news was wired to John Sherman. John
stretched his neck in great surprise, and finally
gathered up his feet spread his tail.
mounted the sky and waited himself
20 New York. He had hardly reached
che parlor 81 the Fifth-avenue when
Blaine ran to cover in private house. About
the Same time Edmunds wipded HIM. The Yer
mont bird drew long breath, scratched the bald
spot on his head, unfoided his venerable plnions
and landed in the Bartholdi Hotel, within gun
shot of both the other birds 1t looks AS though
all three were a still-hunt for meat
Blaine on the trail of the George men,
Sherman was on the track of Blaine, and the
cunning old cock partridge from the Green
mountains was stealing along In the wake Of
both Blaine and Sherman. When Blaine dsap-
peared tho other birds shook their feathers and
silently Sailed away. New England ponds were
covered with a, thip coating of ice on the morn
ing after Edmunds's exit. Whether either Ed
munds or Sherman picked up eny- meat will be
determined az the next national Republican con-
vention. ZIsKA.