Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-06
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Tho question OF successor to the late
William II. Barnum, as chairman Of the
democratic national committee, is al
ready one OF serious discussion among
the party leaders. The intimation is
that before the matter is decided there
is likely to be pretty lively row in the
democratic camp, waged between the
tariff reform and the protection ele-
ments OF the party. 1t is well known
that the late chairman was not III SYM
pathy with the former, and his reten-
tion at the head of the national COM
mittee In the last campaign was not at
all pleasing TO the Carlisle-M Mills ele-
ment, though circumstances compelled
them to submit to it. There was good
reason to believe that he was not
friendly to Mr.. Cleveland, he was OPP
posed TO the nomination Of Thurman,
and the platform was adopted against
his protest. Notwithstanding the fact
that in the campaign he appeared to
labor with his wonted energy and zeal,
great many democrats distrusted him
and regarded HIM as a detriment to TIL e
party. In the discussion of his successor
this feeling is being explicitly ex-
pressed.
The member OF the national commit
tee who was perhaps in fullest SYM
pathy with its chairman, was Mr.. Cor
man, of Maryland, and that shrewd,
energetic and aspiring politician now
wants to succeed Barnum. 1t is hardly
questionable that as sagacious and
aggressive political manager he has no
superior in the national committe or in
the democratic party. Nearly his whole
life has been passed in politics, and he
has q sort of genius for it. He knows
all the tricks Of the trade, and he Is
fearless and unscrupulous in the use OF
the means at his command. But while
his qualifications, as a politician, are
acknowledged by the party leaders,
they do not generally trust him, and he
is particularly obnoxious to the tariff
reform element. The announcement
of his candidacy has aroused the active
hostility of this element. and a very
earnest fight is promised.
1t is most natural that the names Of
ex-President Cleveland and Governor
Hill should be involved. 1t is very
we'll understood that the former is
not averse tc having his name
kept before the country as q
presidential candidate in 1892, and that
he has a very formidable following
which he will hold is not questionable.
Governor Hill will undoubtedly be in
the field, with what amount of strength
can not be now forctold, but certainly
with greater prestige than he had year
ago. The chances of these candidates
may be materially affected by the
organization Of the national committee
and the sympathies Of its chairman.
The belief that German would favor
Hill is probably we'll founded, and thus
there Is a strong probability that his
candidacy will bring on a conflict be-
tween the supporters Of the ex-presi-
dent and the governor that will de-
termine long before the meeting of the
next democratic national convention,
who has the stronger following. The
result may also determine whether the
| democracy in the next national cam
paign is to reaffirm it's tariff policy of
| last year, or modify its position. 1t is
| thus apparent that the matter of select
ing new chairman of the democratic
| national committee is really an affair of
very considerable significance to that
party.