The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-03-23
SOME PRESIDENTIAL PREFEREN-
CES.

The Philadelphia Press Yesterday pub
lished what it states is careful canvass
Of the presidential situation covering
every township in Pennsylvania, New
York, Indiana, Ohio and Minnesota.
The Press says New York was selected
because it is pivotal state; Minnesota,
In order to find out how much there is
in the reported detection among the
Republicans of the Northwest on the
subject of the tariff; and Pennsylvania,
Ohio and Indiana because they contain
in a compact body fully 100000 Re-
publican electors, or about one-fourth of
the total of 1850, 900 votes cast for Blaine
in the whole United States four years
ago.
Beginning in the Northwest, it is found
that Lincoln leads in Minnesota for first
place, with Gresham close second.
MANY refuse to accept Blaine's declina-
ton as final, while others declare his
withdrawal has increased the chances in
their districts at least 25 per cent. Mod
crate tariff reform is demanded, but the
assertion that the Republicans of Min
nesota are for tariff for revenue only is
repudIated. Prohibition is making some
inroads, but is not greatly feared.
Indiana is undeniably for Harrison,
Gresham hardly being in sight. Labor
and temperance will not figure promi-
nently as issues, but pensions for old
soldiers and fair count of all votes cast,
either North or South are loudly called
for.
There is a remarkable unanimity
among Ohio Republicans in favor OLSEN
ator Sherman, and all concede that he
will have the solid delegation of the
state. Many say there is no second
choice.
In Pennsylvania there is no settled con-
census of preference. All Republicans
were for Blaine, and since his withdraw
al sentiment has not fixed upon any one.
Cameron could have some delegates,
but he insists he is not candidate.
Those who mention him are the polite
ians; the people say nothing about him.
The next most popular men are Lincoln,
Hawley, Sherman and Depew. The
state is safely Republican for ANYBODY.
BY far the most carefully canvassed
state was New York. Excepting few
wards in some of the interior cities and
the townships IN the Catskills and Adj
irondacks, which it was impossible
to reach, almost every precinct in the
state was heard from. There is
undenlably a strong sentiment in favor
of the nomination of Blaine by acclama-
ton. With him ont of the way Depew
leads, with Blaine close second, decli-
nation or no declination. Hiscock and
Sherman are the next favorites, bnt they
are long way behind.
From every section comes reports that
the party is in far better fighting shape
than ut this time four years ago, dissen-
sions and personal ambitions having
been wholly dropped and the one idea
being that of winning. 1t will be a cam
paign between the two old parties, and
third or fourth parties will not affect re-
suits. The tariff is to be the main issue.
Expressions of good will are held out to-
ward Conkling, because it is deemed es-
sential to harmonize all heretofore dis
| cordant elements in the party. The
| voters say they are already eager for the
fray-wish it were now on, and they are
organizing campaign clubs in every city,
village and even in the country.