Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1888-03-08

democratic party Is no longer TO be
conducted secretly. Nearly two-thirds
OF the National Democratic committee,
which met here this week to select the
time and place for holding the nonin-
ating convention, are opposed TO
Cleveland. This fact was clearly
brought out by the vote on the propo-
sition made by Representative Scott,
of Pennsylvania, TO hold the conven-
zion in advance of the republican CON
vention. which was 2S opposed to 10
in favor of an early convention.
This fact is very suggestive, as it is
well known here that Cleveland was
in favor of an early convention, be-
lieving that the party controlling the
governments, should always take the
initiative in national campaign. The
above vote is believed to represent the
Cleveland and anti Cleveland strength
of the committee.
The next day the Cleveland men, re-
inforced by kilograms from Dan La
mont, succeeded in getting q re-consid-
Grafton, and June 9Th set as the day
for holding the convention.
Another straw showing the direc-
ton of the breeze was the selection of
st Louis as the place for the conven-
ton. The Cleveland men want il held
anywhere else than there. Still an
other black eye for the Cleveland peo-
pie was the selection of Steinway, the
piano maker, to fill the vacancy in the
committee from New York. Mr. Stein
way has not been connected with any
of the factions in the party in New
York, but he Is known to be extreme
ly friendly to Gov. Hill 1t was fortu-
nate for Cleveland that he was out of
the city, as it gave him time to smooth
his ruffied feathers before returning to
the White House.
1t will be surprising if the republi-
can Senators will vote to confirm the
one sided Fisheries treaty, which
Cleveland says meets his approval
His ideas of what this country has a
right to demand are long way below
those of the average American eitizAn--
Does any sensible man believe that
such treaty could have been negotl-
ated with James q. Blaine, secretary
of State?
The positive declination of General
Sheridan TO be a candidate or under
any circumstances to accept the NOM
ination for president should it be ten
dered him, has the effect of adding 70
his already great popularity. Little
Phil" as his oil soldiers like to call
him, prefers to end his career as be be-
gan tia soldier; and that he made a
wise choice, no one can doubt, who
will think of the trouble that follow.
ed the resignation of Gen. Grant from
the army.
In talking over the political situa-
ton with various senator's, representa-
tives and visitors to the Capitol, it is
remarkable to find them all showing
such condolences Of winning the big
battle this year. There is no hurran
about il either. 1t is just q steady
confidence, engendered by a thorough
knowledge of the condition of the
country. 1t is rare indeed to find an
intelligent republican who does not
believe in the success of the party this
year, no matter who shall be the lead
er.
| AS an organization the democratic
party has always shown cowardice. 1t
always waits for the republican con
vention to meet, that it may study the
platform issued by that BODY in order
to get ideas to make its own. 1t is a
party without original ideas; q party
that within its whole existence has
never originated a measure or idea
worth remembering.
The week has been an unusually
quiet one in congress The House got
holiday on Washington's birthday,
and the Senate did nothing except
listen to Senator Ingalls, read Wash
ington's farewell address.
There are some people here who
wish the committee to decide when a
national convention shall be held,
would meet here every week Among
them are the hotel keepers and the pro-
prietor of the democratic morning pa
per. The latter IN said 10 have re-
ceived from Editor Hearst of the San
Francisco Examiner" son of the
millionaire Senator from California
81, COO for page of bis paper on which
was printed what purporte to be a
special edition of the Examiner" fav-
oring the holding Of the convention at
San Francisco. Conventions all come
high, but the Californians were bound
to have this one, il money could get
it. But money did not succeed In
this instance.