The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-10-08
BEFORE THE BATTLE.
The Political Horizon as Seen BY
Observers at the Capital.
SOLEMN TRUTHS FOR GROVER.
Governor Gray Calls the Presidents
Attention to Cold Facts About
IndIana-New York all Right.
A Cheering Outlook.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Oct. THE Pres
publishes the following from Washing
ton:
Ordinarily but little that is useful in
indicating the political drift of the coun'
try can be had here, but the fact that
Congress remains in session gives the
present year some advantages. Congress.
men have been going out into different
States and then coming back here with
views of the situation, some Of which are
Valuable, but good many are not. Take
them all in all, however, they furnish
about as reliable IN estimate OF the situa-
ton as can be had outside the unfathom-
able minds OF those who hold the reins
OF management at the New York head
quarters. No Democrats own that Mr..
Cleveland is to be defeated, and nobody
expects them to. There is, however, a
decided difference in their way OF stating
things and that which the Republicans
have. Republicans who have recently
informed themselves regarding some OF
the doubtful States are decided in the
opinion that Harrison will be elected,
and that by the vote OF every Northern
State, with possibly single exception.
They express this feeling earnestly be-
cause it is u conviction with them. On
the other hand, every Democratic claim
l have heard is qualified. this or that
had not happened, or il this or that
should happen, it is told you, there
would be no doubt OF Cleveland's cleo
ton. That the party is weighted and far
from being in the good spirits displayed
by the Republicans need not be told to
anyone who has given any attention to
the drift Of the campaign.
GOVERNOR GRAY on INDIANA.
1t is not necessary to rely upon gen.
cral facts for an opinion Of this kind.
During the week something has been
known of the condition OF the Presi-
dents mind on this matter OF so much
great personal concern to him, lie has
received much information that is dis
Couraging about Indiana. There has
been disposition on the part OF the
Democrats to look upon that State us
pretty securely anchored on the Demo.
cratic side, but they are now beginning
to understand otherwise, and those who
know most about it-nen from 1ndi-
ana-have been giving the President
some cold truths. Among these is Gov
ernor Gray, who sought the nomination
for Vice President and didn't get it.
Governor Gray exhibits no feeling over
his disappointment, and has been on the
stump in Indiana, but when he called
at the White House this week he told
the President that, while they were go
ing TO make the best fight they could,
and hoped for the best, it was more than
likely tuat il the Democrats succeeded
with their national ticket it would be
without the vote OF Indiana.
Governor Gray repeated this view
substantially in such confidential con-
ferences us he had here with fellow
Democrats, and in some cases he elabor-
atch his reasons, which embodied two
points: the tariff attitude OF the Demo-
cratic party, which is unpopular in both
the farming aud manufacturing sections
OF the State, and the fact that citizen
OF Indiana heads the Republican ticket.
The Governor was much more guarded
| in his expressions to casual friends, and
not even to strangers did he once claim
the State as certain to so Democratic.
TIE WESTERN MooNDEANs..
The President has been fed so long on
the unsubstantial gush OF Dickinson,
Villas, Scott and that kind OF moonbeam
takers, that Gray's cold sense rather
staggered him. He has kept up pretty
well with some features of the campaign,
but it has been difficult for him to get
the truth from some ofthose around him.
Don Dickinson has been sending from
Michigan the most dashing stories OF
how that State is going, aud Villas has
never ceased to hold before the Presi-
dents view the possibility of Wisconsin
and Minnesota. Even Scott has talked
so much about the way in which the Re-
publican majority in Pennsylvania is
going to be reduced, that it would not
be surpr sing to hear him claiming the
State out and out before election. Some
OF these things have deceived the Presi-
dent and some have not. He has not
been without the ability to see that the
tide was going against him. He still
holds the view, however, that two or
three OF the Northwestern States-and
his mind IS quite as much upon Illinois
MS any other-may flop from the Repub-
IiCan column. There are few Democrats
who have any patience with that hope.
They call attention to the fact that West
ern Democrats, except those in the Cab
met, do not hold out any hope from that
section, and that all the talk is in the
Eas. Even Michigan, which the Re-
pubicans were very much afraid OF six
weeks ago, is no longer regarded by
well-balanced Democrats rs promising.
TWO SOUTHERN STATES.
On the other hand the Democrats are
getting quite shaky about West Virginia.
Private opinion of the situation there
expressed by ex-senator Camden, a
Democrat, have circulated and do not
inspire the party. Camden knows the
State pretty thoroughly, and he is re-
ported to have said in good set language
that he did not see how the Democrats
could expect 10 carry II this year. Large
accessions to the manufacturing aud
lumber industries have about revolu-
tionizcd the sentiment there, and it is
not believed that the old way-back DEM
ocrNtS can any longer out-Note tue new
blood which is building up the State by
the development OF its resources. All
the Republican encouragement about
West Virginia comes from the Demo-
Gratis who know something about the
situation there.
The Democrats are willing to confess
that they would be afraid Of Virginia,
also, were it not for the fact that Gen
eral Malone is immersed in quarrel
with the colored people, the effect Of
which no one can foretell. 1t would
not be very surprising il it should re-
suit in large body Of colored votes 60
ling to The Democratic ticket. All this
was ayoidable, but as it has not been
avoided, the Republicans are no longer
considering Virginia, although two
months age it promised good fighting
ground.