The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-06-22
With Wsrd About the MugWumps and
Democratic Pretence.

CHICAGO, June 21.-Today's events showed
more plainly that the positive forces present
are Blaine and Sherman Sherman's great
strength was displayed openly to good ad-
vantage and many spectators said that
ballot Immediately following the great de-
moDstration at the close of Foraker's speech
would have resulted in Sherman's nomin-
alton. Those looking beneath the surface
discovered signs of unusual activity among
the Blaine men. Steve Elkins was busy
about the convention hall and his leutenants
also. The demonstration for Sherman and
the test of Sherman's strength ON the roll
call Wednesday evening stirred up the
friends of Blaine and tempted them TO
abandon the programme of nominating
Blaine only after prolonged effort to select
another candidate The recent interview
with Carnegie gives the friends of Blaine
more boldness and confidence. 1t is now
tolerably clear that the Blaine men do not
intend to permit the nomination of Sher-
man If they can help it. The programme is
to present the nomination tomorrow and
hold a conference of the friends of the can
didateS tomorrow night, but, il necessary,
Blaine will be sprung upon the convention
at any moment. The difficulty Blaine's
friends have have to face is how to get the
nomination in such a manner that he can
accept without riding over the chances of any
other candidates. In the morning. Cali
fornia, it is predicted, will vote for Blaine
without formally placing his name in nom-
ination.
Depew today was appealed to to hold his
No.. l. l.. N
pede, but he declined. He said he had once
before denied any intention to pose as stalk
ing horse for Blaine. Depew is indignant at
Platt, iElkins, Hiscock and Phelps, who,
some days ago, organized combination
against him, and have prevented him from
getting the enthusiastic support of New
York, as well as the votes of New Jersey
and New England. Depew admits that he
has no hopes of the nomination himself, but
will not indicate his course. His intimate
friends believe he will join Warner Miller in
throwing as many votes as possible to Sher-
man.
A conference of the Blaine men was held
tonight, and it was agreed that Blaine is
willing to take the nomination if it can be
secured in the right way, but that it is the
duty Of his friends to make an honest effort
to name another candidate. They agree to
support Gen. Harrison of Indiana, beginning
as soon as the signs of the breaking up of
the complimentary delegations come, proba-
bly, after the first ballot. This will raise
Harrisop's strength to nearly 200, and bring
onIa direct coptest between him and Sherman.
1t is hoped the bolloting will continue some
time, with other candidates holding their
ground. No nomination resulting. ON the
first sign of Harrison's failure and Sherman's
success, Blaine is to be brought in and an
effort made to stampede the convention to
him. If this is carried out, the probabilities
are that Sherman will stand his ground and
keep Harrison in the rear for some time and
that, when the break comes, Blaine will be
nominated.
Mr.. Elkins today claimed there were 800
Blaine men in the convention and most likely
the ticket at this hour is Blaine and Harris
on. There is growing belief that Gresham
is the strongest man and Allison is still well
thodght of as a compromise candida ate. Nc
Kinley and Foraker are talked of as dark
horses. Alger and Depew appeared out of
the race. Phelps is the only man talked of
for vice president, but Phelps said tonight
he did not believe he could be nominated on
account of intense opposition of Depew's
friends in New York.