The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-05-23
Tho NIurvumps and IN, Nominee.


George William Curtis, Editor Of Hdr-
per's Weekly, has been interviewed in
New York in regard the probable course
of the Mugwump element this year to-
wards the nominee OF tho Chicago Con
vention. He remarked at the outset
of the interview that he twas in open
frame OF mind" and he thought "all the
Mugwumps WERE" In regard to Mr..
Cleveland, whose election he supported
four years ago, he said:
- Notwithstanding Mr.. Cleve-
lands partial failure, we still have some
confidence that he is better than his
party, and probably n large per cent OF
the independents who supported him
four years ago will support him now.
There is a conservative indisposition to
change. The great body OF Cleveland
voters having experienced the disillu-
sion of severance OF party ties will not
be inclined to return TO party fealty.
While it is unquestionably true that
there is greater dissatisfaction with
Cleveland than will appear in the vote,
that is because nothing better offers"
"Supposing Mr.. Blaine were to be-
come the nominee again?"
"Then there would be no question
about the Mugwump vote. The Repub-
lican party would be disrupted and u
reorganization OF it become necessary.
1t is not possible for the Republican
party to run Mr.. Blaine again and MAIN
tain itself in its present FORM"
SIS it true that the mugwump element
now cares more for free trade than for
civil service reform az"
"That is not true. Tariff is not the
vital issue with the independents The
talk of mugwumpism and free trade be-
ing synonymous terms is mere story,
started for effect. | know OF but one
out-and-out free trader in the mugwump
ranks. On the other hand, there are
many high tariff men. Where will you
find more earnest protectionist than
Henry Lee, OF PhiladelphiaW
"Then those mugwumps who are dis.
posed to come back to the party il
Gresham is nominated do not favor
Gresham because OF his tariff views?"
"No, Gresham is regarded us protcc-
zionist, and / think Mr.. Cleveland is
more in favor with those who have any
tendency toward free trade or Il low tar
il. As 1 have said, the mugwumps who
look upon Gresham with favor do so on
account OF general confidence in his
character and courage rather than
through any special sympathy which he
has with our views. But do not be-
lieve Gresham will be nominated.
Blaine will be nominated and Cleveland
will be elected"
Next to Mr.. Curtis, General Francis
Barlow is perhaps as prominent as any
one else among the Mugwumps OF New
York. He also was interviewed in re-
gard to the outlook, and said:
"There is" he says, "a great dissatis-
faction with Cleveland. He has disap-
pointed our people, and any serious, fair
effort on the part OF the Republicans to
make it possible for the mugwumps to
90 back would result in large accessions
to the party vote from those who sup
ported Cleveland in 1884. Cleveland's
letter indorsing Fellows disguised us rs
much asanything. He had no business
interfering with local politics in any
such way.h
"Who could get portion OF the mug
wump vote away from Cleveland2"
"Gresham. IIe would receive con-
siderable support from independent
voters in this State. He is the only Re-
publican, in my judgment, who has any
show OF beating Cleveland, II feeling
OF revenge upon the mugwumps is to die
tate the nomination the Democrats will
win an easy victory"
"Why do the Mugwumps take kindly
to Gresham"
"For general other than particular
reasons. His protection views arc not
satisfactory to those independents who
believe in free trade or low tariff, and on
that issue alone Cleveland will hold
some Of his mugwump supporters. AS
for Gresham's views on civil service re-
form, l do not even know what they are,
and | know some OF our people are pre-
JUDGED against them because he alone
OF Arthur's Cabinet made speech for
Blaine. The Mugwumps who favor
Gresham do so because they believe he
is in every way fit man to be President
courageous, strong enough to resist
pressure, inileXibly honest, u man to be
trusted"