The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-04
CLEVELAND AND HILL.
A Brisk Fight in Progress for Control Of the
Delegation to the National Convention.

NEW YORK, Feb. 3.-Last night the Washing
ton correspondent of the World telegraphed his
paper as follows:
Washington is red hot with New York State
politicians tonight If any doubt exists to
the tussle between the friends of Governor Hill
and those of President Cleveland for the control
of the delegation to the national Democratic
convention, il would be shaken by day in
Washington and talks with these visiting states
men, The first arrival of prominence was Com
missioner Daniel l.. Gibbons, who was the ad-
vance skirmish guard of the Hill forces, at the
Arlington Hotel on Monday night. Gibbons is
silent and mysterious, and declares that his
mission is one of pure recreation and that poll
tics has nothing whatever to do with it From
the manner in which he observes the Glove
land politicians, however, the real pur-
There is q battalion of Cleveland advocates at
the Arlington. The most prominent is sx-May-
Grace. Mr.. Grace believes he possesses the
key to Mr.. Cleveland's success next fall. He is
here to show the President how that success
be accomplished. He believes in throwing open
to the spoismen all the remaining places in the
Presidents gift He 10 positive that the same
influences that will renominate Mr.. Cleveland
for the presidency will nominate Mr.. Grace
Governor of the State OF New York in place OF
David Bennett Hill. By Mr.. Grace's avowed ad-
missions he expects to succeed Mr.. Hill. and
Hills friends therefore. less disposed than
ever to relnquish the grip they have obtained
on the machinery of the State. With Grace
against Hill for Governor, the fight between
Cleveland and Hill for the presidency, said a
Southern member of Congress last night will be
fight to the death
'HThis is the way an old New York politician
summed up the situations: The fight between
the President and Governor Hill seems greater
the longer it lasts You can see it mere. Ex-
Mayor Grace recognizes that il he is to be Gov
ernor at all he must slip in under the tails OF
Mr. Clev Glands coat and this Is his last chance.
There is question that he is advising the
President that the enly way to secure q united
delegation is to put the screws on the Hill peo-
ple and to turn over enough patronage to make
certain that the friends of the President will
secure control of the delegation. That the
friends of the administration are very uneasy
and anxious is sufficiently shown by their pres
ence here and their disnclination to discuss
politics Rest assured that if they had the GER
fainty that they represent. they would not be
here so soon after last weeks State committee,
fences
Another New Yorker said: 1T is not gener-
ally known, but the President offered to Joseph
ODonohue, the prominent Tammany Hall lead
er. the assistant subtreasuryshp of New York.
in place of Charles j. Canda and that Mr.
O'Donohue has declined the honor Tammany
Hall does not want that position. I presume if
Mr.. Cleveland would remove Mr. Pearson from
the head of the New York postoffice and appoint
a sound Tammanyite, he might propiate that or
gauization At all events. it IS doubtful whether
the President can win the support of that organ
ization unless he make some such move.
'Mr. Cleyelands friends maintain an equipoise
and sangfroid that are delightful. III thev
frightened they do not betray it They SPEAK
In the most confident tones OF the Presidents
nomination and reelection. They assert that
the opposition in New York will melt away like
the snow with the approach OF the April sun"