San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-02-18
AGENTS FOR THE LIGHT.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY, 18, 1888.
SITUATION REVIEWED.

The able and clearly expressed letter
of"Situation," which appears In this
issue OF the LIGHT, does not meet the
views OF this journal concerning the
bossism OF James G. Blaine. The lucid
manner 10 which "Sltustion" has re-
viewed the history OF the party since
1850 and pointed out from his stand
point the causes which led to republi-
oan defeat In 1884, presents that side of
the case with graphic force and distinct
ness. or the thorough going republi-
osnism Of the writer and his deep devo-
tIon to the principles and success OF the
republication the LIGHT lie fully assured,
but cannot agree with him In placing
the defeat OF the republican party In 1884
upon the shoulders Of Blaine
and Sherman, and Logan and Cameron
In view OF the bolt made against ring
nominations in the convention of 1880.
The breach between Conkling and
Blaine Is OF much older origin than 1880.
1t began In the oyerbearing conduct Of
Conkling In the national congress and
has been inflamed by every honor con-
ferred upon Mr.. Blaine from that day to
this. The real cause o. the detection OF
New York in 1884, grew out Of the fact
that Vice-President Arthur was not
nominated, and the result would have
been the same had any other man than
James G.. Blaine been the nominee OF
the party. 1t is today an open question II
any other man except Mr.. Blaine could
have come so near carrying the state
state In 1884 as did the man from Maine.
The appointment Of Mr.. Blaine to a seat
In the cabinet by Mr.. Garfield was not
considered q mistake by the rank and
file Of the republican party. The nomi-
nation Of James G. Blaine in 1884 was
not considered mistake by the rank
and file Of the party, and In the election
which ensued his opponent would not
command majority Of all the votes
cast either In his own state or in the
nation. In New York Cleveland failed
OF carrying the majority vote by 40,9lS
ballots.
The simple facts are that unoounted
ballots Of the republican party in the
solid south lost the election to James G..
Blaine, and the detection Of Mr..
Arthur's friends lost Mr.. Blaine
the state Of New YOrK. The
fight made by Blaine 10 1880 for district
representation WAS fight against boss
Ism and not for Its publication. James
G. Blaine has been prominently the
man OF the people, and the rank and file
OF tie republican party, would nominate
him by reclamation were that nomina-
tion left to them. The bosses defeated
Blaine 10 1884, and would very likely do
II again were he renominated In 1888.
The recent letter Of Mr.. Blaine and the
testimony OF those who we're In his con-
fldenoe In 1884 Is conclusive to every
fair minded man, and should place this
greatest Of living Americans above the
charge Of party boss. He has ever
left the party free from any at.
tempted control, and is today ready aud
willing to serve bis party rather than
himself. The LIGHT would sooner see
him president of the United States than
any man living, but in this as In all else
would seek the nomination OF such men
as would most certainly wrest this gov.
eminent from the hands OF an incompe.
tent democratic administration, be that
man James G. Blaine or some one else