New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-14
The OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
CANDIDATES AND THEIR CHANCES.
AN APPEAL FOR FULL DISCUSSION.
STRONG AND WEAK POINTS OF MANY POSSIBLE
NOMINEEa

NOMINEES.
TO the Editor Of rhe Tribune.
SIR: You were doubtless right in saying this
morning that Mr.. Blalnes nomination was Inevitable
The delegates from the State of New-York would
have been largely in his favor. would havc been
those from most OF tho other doubtful States and
no careful political observer can question that three
fourths. II not four nfths of tho Republican voters
throughout the country preferred him a. their can
ddatc
But now Mr.. Blaine declares that his narle Is not
to be presented to the National Convention IL IS
clearly time then to begin promp., frank and I'LL
discussion of other candidates Wo are within four
months OF nomfn ron Within SIX weeS many
delegates will have been chosen and the result may
have been largely settled In advance. Above ALL the
Republican party needs to confront tho situation
boldly and consider the claims Of all candidates With
absolute eandor
take ID that most Republicans believe the contest
to be decided by the votes of five doubtful Eastern
states-New York New Jersey, Connecticut, indiana
and West Virgins-and those Of tho Pacifo Coast,
Other things being anywhere near equal. the candi-
date strongest for those five States and for the
Pacific Coast Is clearly the man to BIO chosen.
Whom can We nominated I take 1t that most Rs-
pubIicans VIII first name John Sherman His strong
points are many. He Is 81 the fu Presidential size
He Is ono Of most pcFienecd and accom- piished
statesmen, and is crowned with tho historic laurel Of
having led this country from rredeemsbic currency
to specie payments No dOnts his ex
perience his ability, his patriotism and no Rcpub-
lican question HI sterling fidelity to the cardinal
points Of Republican faith. Can he DO elected. and
above all, what would be his strength In the doubtful
States
j I'm Sherman was Secretary Of the Treasury when
Chester A. Arthur Collector OF the Port OF New
York lie dismissed General Arthur from tho Col
lcctorship specific charges. General Arthur bitterly
resented the remOv IL ard his friends believed those
charges to be unjust. do NOT believe General
Arthurs friends constitute mai rtty of the New-iork
Republicans. but they large and influential body
They had got their at he difertLsss
between their favorte and Mr. Blaine. and OF the
LiONt dev led Arthsr msn, Ike COrnelJS y. Bliss,
Jonn y Plummer Elfbu Root and george Bliss, not
TO speak Of similar throughout the interior, have
been frankly and cordially for BaIEe. Wcnid tnesc
men give equally hearty support to Mr.. Sherman
Of the Senators who resigned the outset OF Gar
fields Administration, only has retained activc
connection with the Republican pity and Ire IS still
potent In ts counscIs. especially in this State lilo
has been known TO DO ready givo Blaine warm
support. Does any one have reason Ia know that he
conit give simIL support {" -Eci man.
Business men have occasionally said they would
ne Dir. Blaine very we'll excepting that there were
many bus ness candaIs about him. How would these
men confront the old charge that Fort sherman
as all Wall Street men called 1he United Bank Build
ing, constructed ont Of tho profits which Mr.
Shermans favortism enabled his friends TO secure'
do not for ono moment believe these charges, and
did Tor that matter, never believed the
charges against Mr.. Blame either The only point
! mako IS inquire whether with Nj. sherman we
should encounter the sort Of warfare that has
already been encountered and practically overcome
as against Mr. Biane' Now these arc questions
which must DO faced before an election 1t Is better
To face them before a HominatOn l do not say
they cannot be conclusivey aud satisfactorily an
swercd; / do say tina va must consider them at
once Considering his record on questions spe-
oiay affecting the Pacific Coast, would there be rea
sonall' probability That Nh Sherman cculd carry
Z California. Oregon and Nevada
What other men can be nominated Many Con
/ nectcut Republicans and good many from por
tons of New York. particularly in this city ana ID
St Lawrence County. would say General Joseph K
| IIawley. Certainly he IS a good man. lie was a
good soldier. has been good senator. and he has a
clean record Can the West be brought to his sup
/ mort Is no any stronger probably, with Western
delegates than he found to be in 1881 We lost
| Connecticut under his leadership tn 1884. Could
/ wo csrsainlS carry II In 1865 Would nc DC strong
in the other doubtful States Is his record such as
to commen nd him 30 the Pacific slope Is there any
reason 70 believe that he could certainly carry the
! three States there
The stale of York has at least four men who
might fairly be considered any muster Of states
/ fir fol- the Presidency. Chauncey NJ. Depew is up to
/ that size. so Is cx Senator Warner Miller: so Is
Frank Uscock so prominently is William NJ Evarts.
New-York Central Railroad for a candidate and would
it be embarrassed by charges, however unounded, Of
/ lifelong ldentf caton with mono,olles' Could It
take Warner Miller and face the HiscOck Patt hos-
tiIityf Could It take Hiscock and prevent dscoutent
among tho rural communities that already think
/ Warner Miller hardly nsed' No doubt Mr. Evarts
would adorn the Presidency Is he enough man OF
the people be specially strong In the other doubtful
/ states
| ofT has talked
Of He il popular senator. strong In his own state,
| and generally well thought Of throughout the North
| west No one ranlss him with sherman, but he s a
safe politician without violent antagonSn and care
] full on his record. Nevertheless, New orkers mus
consider whether no Is sufficiently well known at the
Fast TO lead winning In this State, In Connscti-
cut or in SewJersey and particularly what effect his
financial record would have upon his support here
Rem HARRISON OF Indiana, Is a man ranking we'll
nm with sherman I'm ability. His public record IS
wholly credtable. his private character IS rreProa'h-
/ able hs IS a thoroughly sound AMI hearty Kepuo-
ucan without antagonsms, and Increasingly popular
in his own state. lie carried bis state al the pop
ular election last November, and Indanlans ueHeVo
he could carry It next fall lie would not be greatly
helped perhaps by the fact that he IS tho grandson
~ an earlier Pres dent but be certainly would not be
brrt by It and who remember the enthusiastic
wave which swept the country when "hIaui
Henry Harrison elected believe thar IN west VIZ
rula and In some other doubtful States the name OF
Harrison would still be potent for votes. Like Cen
eral Uawley Senator Harrison would be peculiarly
popular wsrh the soldiers. Is ne well enough known
at the East to strong in the Eastern doupttui
states as he undoubtedly would be In tho West
william Walter Phelps has just carried New-Jerscy
on tho popular vote. JerSeymcn say he would DC
sura to carry It again. He is man OK aIihlranl
ability considerable experience In public service hlgh
minded, and with many strong points in his record
lie would no doubt have the advantage Of considerable
personal and family popularity in Connecticut whence
his family came, and In Ncw-York, where ne long
sided and where his honored father Is still remem
bered. Has he made a sufficient impression on the
country at large be specially strong In the Other
! doubtful Statesi