Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-03-01
WASHING TON LETTER.


the Democratic party is no longer
to be conducted secretly. Nearly
two thirds Of the National Demo
cratic committee, which met here
this week to select the time and
place for holding the nominating
convention, are opposed TO CIeve-
land This fact was clearly brought
out by the vote on the proposition,
made by Representative Scott, Of
Pennsy lvania, to hold the conven-
ton ia advance Of the Republican
convention, which was Is opposed
to 9 Ia favor of An early convention.
This fact is very suggestive, As it is
well known here that Cleveland was
10 favor of an early convention,
believing that the party controlling
the Government should always take
the initiative in the National Cam
paigu. The above vote is believed
to represent the Cleveland and anti
Cleveland strength Of the committee.
The next day the Cleveland men,
reinforced by kilograms from Dan
Lamont, succeeded in getting a
reconsideration, and June , set as
the day for holding the convention.
Another straw showing the di-
rection Of the breeze was the seleo-
ton of ST. Louis as the place for
the convention. The Cleveland men
wanted it h .ld anywhere else than
there. Sull another blackeye for
the Cleveland people was the Sc
lection of Steinway, the piano
maker, to Gil the vacancy in the
committee from New York. Mr.
Steinway has not been connected
with any of the factions in the
party in New York, but he is known
TO be extremely friendly to Gov.
Hill. Il was fortunate for Cleve.
land that he was out Of the city, as
it gave him time to smooth his ruff
fed feathers before returning to
the White House.
II will be surprising if the Re
publican Senators will vote to con
firm the onesided Fisheries treaty,
which Cleveland says meets his
approval. His ideas of what this
country has a right to demand are
along way below those of the aver
age American citizen. Does any
sensible man believe that such $
treaty could have been negotiated
with James @. Blaine, Secretary of
State.
The positive declination Of Gen.
Sheridan to be a candidate or under
any circumstances to accept the
nomination for President, should it
be rendered him, has had the effect
Of adding to his already great pop
ularity. Little Phil" as his old
soldiers like to call him, prefers to
end his career as he began it-a
soldier; and that he made q wise
choice, no one can doubt, who will
think of the trouble that followed
the resignation Of Gen. Grant from
the army.
In talking over the political situ-
alton with various Republican Sena.
tors, Representatives and visitors to
the Capitol, it is remarkable to find
them all showing such confidence
of winning the big battle this year.
There is no hurrah about it either.
1t is just a steady confidence, eugeu
dered 10y thorough knowledge OIL
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 leader.
Asan organization the Democratic
party has always shown eowardice.
It always waits for the Republican
convention to meet, that it may
study the platform issued by that
body in order to get ideas to make
its own. It is q party without orig
ua' laas; party th ~''ia lts