The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-06-21
POLITICIANS.
Talk Among the Delegates at
Chlcago-The Factions and
Their Favorites.
Great Uncertainty as to the Com.
ing Men-The Blame Men
and Their Tactics.

CHICAGO, June 16.--NeYer before in the
history of national political conventions
have the clans begun gathering as early
as they have to the one so soon to open
in Chicago's great convention hall, Only q
minor fraction of delegates are here, but
the advance guards from every state are
on the ground, feeling the sentiment of
different workers who have already estab-
lished headquarters. The excited talk of
the wire pullers is heard on every hand,
The takers simply represent their prin-
cipals and are trying to feel the pulse of
the multitude on the different candidates,
The element of uncertainty is strong
characteristic of the presentsituation.
Hon. Harry Conant, formerly
Michigan's secretary of state, speaking
of Alger to-tay, said General Alger is the
first candidate ever put up as represent
alive of the commercial interests. He is
successful business man, employing an
army of workmen, and has never in his
life had difficulty with them. Then nc
man has better record than he as gov
ernor and soldier.
J.W. Crumpaker, delegate from La
porte, Ind, said to day, "Ihere is no fght
in our delegation between Harrison anG
Gresham. At least 80 per cent of the dele
cation don't care which one gets it.
like Greshsm as we'll as do Harrison, bu
will support Harrison with all nay strength
until 1 see he is hopeless. Then, viii
work Just as heartily for Gresham"
The Sherman men have been through
many fights, and know the rope
thoroughly. They have the best organ
lied working force on the grounds. The,
are morally certain of holding tn
highest number of votes on first ballo
and confidently claim their 300 or more
as certain.
The Harrison men are on the groun'
early, and in excellent fighting trim. TIL
Indiana delegation will begin as unit TO
their favorite son.
Depew's candidacy is assuming formid
able proportions. He will receive all tn
backing the New York delegation can Civ
him. Good words are spoken of him OF
all sides. The sole objection to him is hi
prominent connection with vast railroad
corporations. New York claims tina
Depew can as certainly carry New Yorl
for the republicans as Allison can Iowa.
The Blaine talk is mystery. No on,
seems to know whence it comes
or whittier it tends. The center o
most every excited group proves to b
more loudly proclaiming the virtues o.
the man from Maine. There seems to bt
no held to the movement. Scarcely {
prominent man can be found that ex
presses q first, last and all the timt
fervor for the Plumed Knight, and still
half the talk one hears is about him
Rumors and guesses innumerable are fly.
ing about as contradictory as from tn
winds of heaven.
The anti-saloon republican nationa
committee has established its headquar
ters. Their intention is to secure tn
adoption of decided anti-saloon planl
in the republican platform. ~
| Six republican state conventions, thos
of Massachusetts, Vermont, Delaware
Minnesota, Maine and Kansas, hav,
strongly insisted on the adoption of {
prohibition plank.
Hon. Albert Griffin, delegate at larg,
from Kansas, and chairman of the anti
saloon national committee, said:
| "We think it is absolutely necessary TO
the republican party to take a stand OF
this question. We do not ask anything
impossible or radical. We recognize il
the saloons a growing menace to on
national morality, and our fight is ex
actly parallel to the one waged by tn
republican party in its infancy agains
the extension of slavery"
The Gresham headquarters is all agloy
with enthusiasm. Secretary Clark said
eve have the absolute promise o
twenty-five new delegates that Gresham
will be their second choice, and tina
everybody will support him as soon a
they see that the position of their owl
candidate is hopeless"