Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-16
1928 SWEET PLUM
Already Causing Much Speculation
Among Republicans.
HOW THE POLITICIANS DIFFER.
A Rather Remarkable Claim Made by Some
of Harrison's Friends.
SHERMAN BEHIND MKINLEY'S BOOM

NEW YORK, June ia good deal OF
speculation and prophecy regarding the
next Republican Presidential candidate is
heard among the politicians, despite the
fact that the selection is still two years dis
tant and that party sentiment as to men and
policy may undergo several changes in that
time. Prophets will have their say, how
ever, and the political leaders who drift in
and out of here from Washington are in a
much more pliable state for the interviewer
200 miles from the White House than when
under its shadow. Thus we have had Uncle
Jerry Rusk among US this week full OF Har-
rison enthusiasm for 1892 and Secretary of
War Proctor also confided to reporter yes
terdsy the opinion that Harrison would
lead the party hosts again.
1t is to be noted, however, that while Jerry
Rusk was declaring to one interviewer that
Wisconsin was solid for Harrison, . man
who wields greater influence in that State
than Rusk was telling another reporter
under the same roof that no one knew where
THE BADGER STATE DELEGATION
would stand next time. He was Henry G.
Payne, of Milwaukee, now Secretary of the
National Republican Committee, and per-
haps the shrewdest Republican in the North
west. Payne handled the delegation at the
Chicago Convention, held it together Tor
Rusk until he saw the right column in
which to land it, and then did so. It is
probable that he will WELD like influence
with the next delegation, but 1 doubt
whether he could tell, il he would, which
way he is heading, though it is suspected
that it is not in the direction of Indiana.
cite this Rusk-Payne incident, not be-
cause it is important, for Wisconsin is far
from being decisive factor in President
making, but to show how politicians from
the same State hold different views of the
situation. Both Rusk and Proctor, though
able and popular, are the accidents of
geography in Cabinet making. Naturally,
they feel grateful to the power that brought
them into the national arena, and hence are
Harrison men. But how many votes can
they control in convention is the.question
by which the practical man in politics
gauges the weight of their opinions. Secre-
tary Proctor's State has only half dozen
votes in all, and Senator Edmunds controls
their disposition. With the latter's aid he
held Vermont solid for Harrison through all
the balloting-the only State that did. If
Edmunds consents he can do it again, but
the result would be Insignificant either way.
NOT MUCH SHOW FOR HARRISON.
A Republican not in Office but who made
Harrison's nomination possible after the
man then abroad was impossible, said to
me to-day that the Harrison men might find
themselves without captain year or so
hence. Harrison may not be so much of a
candidate as he is to-day" said he. II
irk If prohah hla auopt Of
a Democratic House being elected this fall
that he will realize how different it is for
President to re-elect himself, and he will be
content with insuring a Republican sue
cessor. Not since Andrew Jackson's time
has President been reelected, save in the
case of Lincoln and Grant. Events in
which they were the central figure reelected
them. Hayes stepped aside rather than risk
party success, and Arthur, reaching out for
the prize, went so far that the party was
left divided, and defeat followed. Had
ambitions in 1888, the Republicans would |
have had a harder fight and, perhaps, with
results not go satisfactory. Washington
fixed two terms as the limit for one Presi-
dent, but I believe the people have cut off
one of them"
A REMARKABLE CLAIM.
Whatever change year may bring in the |
Presidents attitude toward the 1892 nomi- |
nation, his friends are freely declaring now
that he will lead in battle again. Perhaps |
the most remarkable claim they make is
that Mr.. Blaine is a Harrison man-re- |
first, because Blaine has never |
had any name but his own emblazoned on
his banner, and, second, because he has de-
clared to his closest friends as firmly as he
did two years ago that he is forever out of
the Presidential arena, either for himself or
for others. Only last week he assured an
old political ally that he was content in his
present position and hoped to end his po-
litical career in it. The man to whom this
was said understood it to be disclaimer of
the statement that he was urging Harrison's
Aside from his preferences,
whatever they may be, Mr.. Blaine is wise
enough to know, however, that he could not
bring his old followers together again for
any other man but himself, and he would
not attempt it.
The story comes here on pretty good
that Senator Sherman has deter
mined not to be candidate for the nomina-
ion next time, and that he is for Mckinley
ss reward for the latter's steadfastness to
MIN at Chicago. Sherman has assumed
charge of McKinley's tariff bill in the Sen
lte, and there are other indications that he
md the Major are working together. 1t is
'aid, too, by the sponsors for this story that
Sherman could not hope for a solid delega-
ion from Ohio-without which it would be
Useless for him to make the race. Those
Who recall the impressive scene in the last
when Mckinley rose in his seat
md begged his friends not to put him in the
position Of betraying the trust Sherman had
imposed in him can understand why the
after is now for Mckinley.
NERVOUS OVER BALLOT REFORM.
There is good deal of nervousness among
politicians over the new election law, and
he probable lessening of their hold on such
oters as have hitherto trained with the
machine" whether Republican or Demo-
turn the penny on either side it
emains penny still. 1 hear the ward
eaders of both parties express fears of its
fleet on their respective interests, for they
'ut but little faith in a voter doing rs he Is
old when he is once out of sight. The new
aw compels him to remain alone in booth
t least three minutes before depositing his
allot. Moreover, no worker" can ap-
roach within 100 feet of the polls.
The point of most interest now, however,
specially to the taxpayers who foot the bills,
S the estimate that at least 40, 900, 900 bal
OTIS, perforated, and with numbered stubs,
must be printed. 1t seems ridiculous that
800, 900 voters-the Presidential and largest
'oll or this State-should require so many
egal ballots, but the new law reads that
ray, and the county clerks are making
eady to supply them. The State pays for
nese-which. perhaps, explains the liberal