The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1888-02-08

IL 10 an open ScctcC among SlrCWtt
Democratic politicians, among those who
know what is going on in tho innermost
circle, that David Bennett Hill, Gov
ernor OF the State of New York, is can
didate for the Democratic nomination
for the Presidency. That is an assured
fact.
Governor Hill in many respects is n
strong man. He has made good record
as Governor, and during his two terms
not single blcmish, either personally
or officially has been fastened Oh his
character. He will leave the executive
mansion at Albany with clean hands and
nnblemished reputation. The Governor
has had the dispensing of good deal of
patronage during his two terms, and, Of
course, he has not appointed to Office
any ono not friendly to him and his
cause. These things make him strong.
Again, lot it be remembered that Gov
ernor David b. Hill is known all over
the country. When Cleveland was
nominated for President he sprang into
prominence. He had been associated with
that wonderful man in administering the
affairs OF the State, and Governor Clcyc-
lands election made him Governor
Then he was elected by tho people,
which again brought him prominently
before tho public eye and was taken as
showing that tho people We're satisfied
with the way he had governed. As New
York had given one Governor to become
President it was not a great stretch OF
imagination to picture the Empire State
again sacrificing her chief magistrate SO
that the Nation might have q ruler, pro.
vldcd the present incumbent of the
White House did not seek roclcction.
All these circumstances combined to
keep Governor Hills name prominently
before tho public.
GOVERNOR uILL AND PROTECTION.
Governor Hills position is peculiar
one 1t is well known that many of the
protection Democrats and, although
the stralghtout Democratic organs de-
clare there are none such, they exist n
no small numbers-do not like III,
President because of his tariff views and
that they listened to his message with
amazcmont and anger. Governor Hill,
on the other hand, Is protection Demo
crat and he ls the candidate of that wing
OF the Democratic party that believes in
maintaining tho present tariff rs a part
of our present political system.
Then, again, the impression has gone
1orth that the Governor is spoils poll
tician; that if he had his own way he
would disregard the spirit OF civil service
reform and appointments would be made
simply on the ground of political fitness
and tho services to be rewarded. Aud
i'll addition to this, those people VINO
want CHANGE. not on high moral
ground, but because of some small or
fancied neglect or slight, have locked ~
his standard because he appears to be
the strongest candidate.
CAN HE SUCCEED?
Can he succeed? Can he get tho
nomination? Those are the questions
to be answered, and from my personal
knowledge of the way sentiment is run
ming l unhcsitatingly say he cannot
: L do not believe there is man in the
Democratic party who can got the nomi-
nation away from Grover Cleveland
Unless he does something most unhcard
of, or unless one of those absolutely I'm.
expected events which sometimes tran
spire happens, the President, in my
opinion, Is as sure of n renomination as
he can be sure OF anything.
The Hill boom is in tho hands of very
| shrewd men, who arc playing IL very
careful game. In the first place it vii!
not do for them to any way cause dis
union III tho Democratic party in tho
State Of New York, as such q course
would certainly mean Democratic defeat.
The Hill men cannot afford to do that
and rather than take any chances they
would do whatever they could to elect
Cleveland. But il Cleveland could not
secure tho necessary votes in the con-
yention the Hill men would come to the
front and ask the Cleveland supporters
to cast their strength for their candidate.
THEY ARE STILL FRIENDs.
From what ! have written above the
impression may be gathered that Gov
ernor Hill is not friendly to the Prcsi-
dent, and that the former is setting ND
pins to undermine his strength. Nv in
formation on the subject does not lead
me TO believe that that impression is
correct. The situation of affairs | am
told is about this: Governor Hill would
! like to be the Democratic candidate for
the Presidency, as what American citizen
would not? However, he realizes That
at the present time the President is the
strongest man in his party and that he
has the "call" on the nomination. In
the convention it will take two.thirds
vote to nominate. Can Cleveland get
that vote on tho first ballot? The Hill
men say that he cannot, that the dele
gates who are opposed to him and those
who go there to cast complimentary
vote for their local favorites will form q
sufficient number to prevent that. If he
cannot get the nomination on the first or
second ballot he stands no further
chance, as the opposition to him will
continue to grow. 1t will be tho fold
against Grover Cleveland, and when the
Presidents managers see that he cannot
be nominated they will look round to
sec who is the next strongest man. Hills
friends will be there in force and the
question to be decided by the Cleveland
men is shall Hill or an outsider be nomi.
nated2 For many reasons they will
prefer Hill, the word will go down the
CleAeland line to nominate Hill, and
Hill will be the nominee of the conven-
ten.
NO PLOTS FOR CoUSTERPLoTs.
1t will be seen then that tho Governo,
and the President are not plotting
against each other. Each will give loyal
supDort To the other accor6inc tn The