Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-24
THE BLAINE BOOMERS
Confident That Their Favorite Will
be a Candidate in 1892.
BLUNDERS OF THE DEMOCRATS
Largely Relied Upon to Increase the
Chances of Success.
EFFECT OF THE FREE COINAGE CRAZE
rrRoM A srArr connrsrospEsr.l

| astute leader from Maine scheming for ii
not the Presidency?" asked Platt Re-
publican at the Fifth Avenue Hotel the.other
evening. "He never makes q move that is
not calculated to enhance his own political
individuality and Importance. That he has
retired from. the Presidential field is all
bosh. He is lying low and playing the
dark-horse racket. When the hour comes
you will see Jim Blaine astride of his battle
steed, and the old white plume to the front. !"
This sentiment finds so many echoes in
one form or another that it is worth consid-
eriug. Is Blaine possibility? Does he
so regard himsel =? From what has transpired
in the last few weeks the conclusion is quite
irresistible. He intends to be considered in
it. Staunch Blaine men like Colonel
Hooker, Of Vermont, who has been here re-
Gently, not only admit the possibility, but
assert the certainty of Blaine's candidature
A Candidate of Necessity.
"Things are SO shaping themselves as to
make him a necessity" says Colonel
Hooker.
This was with reference to silver, to the
tariff and to foreign complications. 1t
would appear that Mr.. Blaine's hopes are
based chiefly upon his ability to extricate
his party from the political debris brought
about its ears by the course of the leaders in
Congress. This by means of his reciprocity
scheme. Another strong card that will
be played when it comes his turn
will be the j1ngoism of Bering Sea,
American fisheries and the affairs of the
port OF San Jose. He expects this Congress
TO pass the silver bill, and by that act to
"put Harrison in hole"
The President in such case, will be be-
tween his satanic majesty and the deep sea.
II he signs the measure, he alienates New
York, New Jersey and Connecticut. If he
refuses TO sign it, he will lose quite as much,
If not more, in the Northwest and West If
Blaine's nearest friends know his senti-
ments he regards Harrison as already out
of the race and not at ali political factor,
save as he may yet assist or mar the pros
poets of his party. 1t is the Blaine policy
to keep in the background until the Presl-
dental aspirants thicken and grow clamor-
GUS and the petty leaders get hot over their
respective candidates.
Waiting for the Right Moment.
At this opportuns moment James G.
Blaine will enter and take the center of the
stage, whereupon the old enthusiasm will be
rekindled, the little fellows will stink into
the wings and sink through the traps, and
the Plumed Knight of an hundred battles
will be declared again Big Chief. This re-
verses the usual Blaine tactics, which here
tofore have been to take the field early and
fight early and late with such weapons as
circumstances furnished. vigorously club
bing way to the front. 1t is unquestion-
ably a verv good scheme-if it works.
Mr.. Blaine is still the strongest political
personality in the Republican party, and he
knows it. But in what respect is he stronger
as national candidate before the
people of the entire country? Have the
| issues as between the two great parties i'm
proved Blaine's chances OF election since
! 1884? If SO, in what respect? What new
question has arisen since he WAS defeated by
Grover CLEVELAND that Mr.. Blaine con.
spicuously represents which could be relied
upon to give him additional strength as a
Presidential candidate?
He certainly could expect no assistance
! from the South. Provided that section en-
| joys Its present freedom OF the elective
| franchise there is not the remotest hone of a
break in the solid Democratic column. The
! agitation of the .iorce bill has effectuallv
| destroyed any chance of that Sort In what
part of the North is the Republican party
stronger to-day than it was in 1884? 1t
would be interesting to have this particular
point illustrated by diagrams and figures
have asked that question Of a good many
| politicians recently and it has been met
only by glittering generalities, the substance
| of which is that the future OF the RepubIi-
can party largely depends upon things
| hoped for. but at present unseen.
Depending Upon Personal Magnetism.
When an old time and yet consistent ad-
| herent of Blaine's is asked the question, he
invariably falls back upon the personal
magnetism" of his favorite to pull the party
through Yet still the important point re-
ours; if the party in no better shape to. day
than in 1884, in what respect has Blaine i'm
proved in political strength?
From the foregoing 1t logically follows
that any real hope of success in the next
national election the Republicans may rea-
sonably indulge in is founded upon what
issues and what men may between now and
! the proper time spring up. 1t must fall
back upon this intangible, unknown in
terim; and, disappointed in not finding
lucky lead, adopt the dernicr resort, the
force bill. Now, on what short of physical
force can the g. o. P. safely count for as
| sistance in the retention of national power?
There is one never-failing trust in national
politics, and that is in the inevitable blum
| derS OF political opponents. Nothing on
earth, apparently, can save a political or
ganization from the effects of the political
idiocy of its leaders. When these leaders
hold the front rank for responsibility for
legislation or administration there is no es-
cape.
Blunders of the Opposition.
All the opposition has to do is to make a
| theoretical opposition and sit down and
| wait. The other side will make the issues
| fast enough. This is just what the present
| Republican Congress and Administration
are doing for the Democracy. And it is just
what may reasonably be expected on the
| other side from the unusual Democratic ma
| jority OF the coming House of Representa-
tives.
Fortunately for the country and fortu-
nately Tor the future OF the Democratic
| party, that body will be unable to leave any
serious legislative marks upon the statute
books. The present Congress, however. be-
| ing in complete power and accord with the
other branches of the Government, has to
shoulder all the responsibilities of legisla-
\ tion. Further than this, the Republican
party must not only bear the burden OF ad-
ministrative and legislative blunders, but it
must accept the real and the imaginary re-
suits. By reason of this it is alike respon-
sible for taxation and hard times. 1t is not
worth while to try to dodge even the small
| pox. -
There is this question of free coinage. 1t
| is a short-sighted politician who does not
see beyond this silver lining a political
cloud that Is likely to pour down steady
rain or waterspout upon somebody. The
| silver issue is not scheme O. Western mine
owners, as most people carelessly imagine.
Behind that blind is vast party of cur
rency lnfiationists, pure and simple.
Revival of Old Issues