The Portland daily press., 1888-06-15
Plenty Of Candidates.

Less than week remains before the
meeting of the Republican national conven-
tion at Chicago. Although there has been a
very thorough discussion of candidates
since Mr.. Blaine's final withdrawal, public
opinion has shown no disposition to concen-
trate upon any particular person. No one
of the candidates has dropped out by rea-
son OF the disappearance of his support, nor
has any one candidate received so large an
accession of strength as to furnish any JUS
LITIGATION for pointing to him as even the
probable nominee. The Sherman boom, the
Gresham boom, the Depew boom, the Ali
son boom, the Alger boom, the Harrison
boom still exist, and their relative dimen-
sions have not essentially changed since
Mr.. Blaine's withdrawal 1t is admitted
that Mr.. Sherman will 60 to Chicago with
with more delegates than any other candi-
date, but the influence of his delegation will
be by no means in proportion to its number,
because a large part Of it comes from the
Southern States, which cannot give the Re-
publicans any electoral vote. 1t is fact,
too, that Mr.. Sherman's name has never
aroused much enthusiasm in Republican
conventions. He is acknowledged on all
sides to be one Of the ablest leaders of the
party, and there are few men in it to-day
who have done the party greater service,
and yet for all that his name is not produc-
tive of enthusiasm. Next to Mr.. Sherman in
point of numerical support stands probably
at present Judge Gresham. The movement
for him in certain States, notably Illinois.
appears to have been spontaneous, and to
have resulted from an admiration of the
man and firm belief that he will make
strong candidate. One point urged in his
favor is the probability that he could carry
the doubtful State of Indiana. But the
western enthusiasm for Gresham does not
seem to shared very largely in the east.
There are no signs that he would prove par
ticularly acceptable in New York, and New
England is by no means on fire for him,
though undoubtedly if he were the nominee
he would receive here a cordial support.
At tbs present time the only strength the
Alger and Allison booms are sure of is the
strength the States of their birth, Michigan
and Iowa, can give them. But both Mr..
Allison and Mr.. Alger have attractions be-
yond their States, and no doubt on the first
ballot will get good many more votes
than their States throw. Depew can proba-
bly, have the New York delegation if he
wants it, and there is kindly feeling
toward him all over the east. His strong
point is his influence in New York State
which it is believed he could certainly carry
against Cleveland. The west does not take
kindly to him however, and some of the Re-
publican organs of that section are suggest
ing that some States ordinarily very strongly
Republican might become doubtful should
Mr.. Depew be the candidate. Gen. Harrison
has undoubtedly greet strength in Indiana,
but his boom at present is strictly of the
"favorite son" variety. The same may be
said Of Gen. Hawley's.
Manifestly there will be no lack of mate
rial before the Chicago convention. Its per-
plexities will How from superabundance
rather than dearth of riches.