The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-20
EVERYWHERE Spoken of with Favor and
Has a Strong Hold on Els Party.
In teryiews with Prominent Men at Washing
ton and Comments of Newspapers Con-
cerning the Choice Of the Hcosier State.
rnE TALK AT WASHINGTON.
Many Prnminent Men Testify 20 the 6enerni'
Strength IS q Candidate.

Many Prominent Men Testify 20 the Uener~aS
Strength IS Candidate
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, April ls.-One hears a good
deal OF comment in his wanderings through the
corridors of the Capitol about presidential eandi-
dates. the character the men who are aspiring
to the nomination, the strength that they wall
each have in the convention. and the directions
from which liz will come Very few mon there
ara however who will commit themselves
openly in favor of any man. Those who have
the courage or inclination to speak with decision
IN favor of anybody mentioned for the nominal
ton are generally men from States having can-
didates. For instance. the Ohio men openly as
sert that they are for Senator Sherman. and the
Iovvans have no besitancy about declaring for
Senator Allison; but it is seldom that one will
hear virginian or Pennsylvania say who his
preference is. There IL discernible in every d.
rection that diplomacy usually exercised at this
stage of presidential campaign. Every he
publican not personally interested IN an indie
vidzal aspirant TO the nomination is determined
in his own mind 10 be perfectly solid with tho
successful candidate for the nomination. and
for that reason he does not care to definitely
commit himself.
There has been great deal of work done in
the interest of men who are seeking openly or
covertly the nomination &C the hands OF the
Chicago convention; but the campaign thus TAR
has been remarkable for it's harmony and GOOD
will. Itmay be safely said that all of the out
spoken objections to any man mentioned TOR tne
nomination have conferred upon Mr. Blaine. There
are three classes who object to placing him 90
the head of the sicket in another canvass. First.
ara those who hold that he has made no friends
since 1884 and that therefore the possibilities
+har bn a
the results OF the last campaign Secondly, are
those who believe that mir. Blaine's health in
broken and that be could not command sufnclent
physical strength to make the canvass that must
be made if success is achieved. Thirdly, are
thosa who hold that Mr.. Blaine belongs 20 that
old class Of Republicans that have died on like
the great oaks in the forest. and that tho man
who can be elected is young and vigorous, and
has never been before the country as eandt-
date. These objections are especially urged by
men from the Northern States, which send to
the convention delegates under instructions. and
which often vote under the unit rule The
Southern States do not observe the unit rule,
and seldom instruct their delegates; consequent
", these is freer expression and more candid
discussion of candidates by the Southern mem
than those from the North. Then Scutherner
speaks openly what he thinks, willis the men
from the North formulate and execute their
plans and purpose in secret.
Mr.. Sherman will undoubtedly 90 into the
convention with very large following on the
he will cast almost his entire strength from the
start. Whether there is any truth in II or nots5
one hears every day that Mr.. Sherman has less
negative strength, and is the second choice in
Less numbers than any candidate who will be-
prominently before the convention. And 90 this
is added the opinion that Mr., Sherman will fall
so far short of majority that he will not sbe
likely compromise or second choice. One or tho
most serious objections urged against Mr.. She--
man is that he has been before the convention
so often that il he had any latent strength
which would help him if he were the candidate
before the country it would long ago have been
developed in favor OF his nomination. The same
arguments used against his nomination in
general terms that were urged against the NOM
nation OF Mr.. Blaine. 1t is held against Mr..
Sherman, as is was against Mr Blaine; that the
years of discussion of his record and character
have brought out all of his strong points. and
that if his nomination were advisable 1t would
have been made ere this
good will from all sections of the country, and
his committee-room il filed almost daily by his
friends. He 10 gentleman so genial, and ables
and full of sunshine, that all who meet him
personally admire him. There Is no doubt thae
Mr.. Allison has large negative strength. and
that be will develop az the proceedings of the
convention progress. in the event there is not an
immediate nomination, which is generally be-
lieyed not to be likely.
In the opinion OF many farseeing Republics
ans, Chauncey M. Depew. of New York. would
be urged with that unanimity and enthusiasm
before the convention which would insure his
nomination il it were not for his social and busir
ness connections His wonderful strength with
the people of New York and his ability a law
yer. business man and statesman, recon-
mend him 10 high terms; but the tact that he is
and connected with the Vanderbilt family has
caused his friends TO hesitate, and there is n0a
doubt that it will have depressing effect upon
those who live in granger States. and who
under other circumstances would be glad 10
follow him. The nams of Mr.. Depew was men
stoned for the presidential nomination long
enough ago to have brought ont very decided
following and very positive strength If IL was
Intended that he should develop as formda bla
candidate and likely nominee. The hesitancy
with which he has been received in his own
State we'll as elsewhere would indicate that
he may not be placed before the convsntion.
One seldom hears the name OF Senator Haw-
lev, OF Connecticut, Senator Frank Hiscock. Of
New York, Senator Don Cameron, of Paunsyl-
vania, or Senator Cullom. of Illinois. mentioned
whore the names of Sherman, Allison and Har-
rison are mentioned. It 10 because the last
three named are regarded as prominent meg be-
fore the country in connection with the press-
Dental race. while the others have only been
suggested rs the choice of local friends or dark
horses All of these men possess pre-eminent
ability, and would make magnificent campaigns;
but in discussing the likely candidates only
those who figure with a following that is general
are spoken OF seriously and to any considerable
degree
Besides the individual ability, character and
local as we'll general strength of the man ther6
are features discussed IN connection with Gem
eral Harriscn's name that give hlm pecullaE
strength After the name of man has been
banded about the country and IN conventions
san aspirant 10 every honor and candidate
for every Office; after his form has become IA
miiar in all conventions, at banquets and public
assembiages, where display Is made he becomes
more or less objectionable TO the view and his
name unpleasant 20 the ear. Especially in this
campaign where so many who have often been
held up as candidates or Aspirants are i'm the
field. is there demand for new blood and
new name. The old men well the YOUNG
hare become weary Of discussing the names Of
periodical aspirants They want some new song
70 sing, new platform upon which to stand.
With new Ideas and new banner floating over
their heads There is q demand for
cnange and men want to hold up
new candidate: one who will put the party on
the offensive aud relieve it Of the onerous duties
OF the defensive. Even the most ardent friends
oftne men who have been from time to time bs-
fore conventions, and who have been charged
with running literary bureaus TO boom them-
selves. say they would like candidate vita
new atmosphere. and who would introduce new
lesues. In the nost carafnl canxaas aiming The