The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-13
THE FIGHT ON HARRISON.

THE FIGHT ON HARRISON.
The growth of the opposition to Pres
ident Harrison's denomination is plainly
d%iscernible to those who observe closely
the drift of public sentiment, and re-
minds one Of the situation that con
fronted President Arthur midway in his
term when he first made known his AM
bition to be the party standard bearer
in 1884. We do not place so muohs stress
on the Vaccinations Of Quay, Dudley
and other disappointed spoils hunters,
although they are dangerous mon tc
have in opposition, but outside of these
politicians there is a feeling OF uncer.
tainty as to MI. Harrison's strength in a
second race. 1t is not SO much that the
president has made many personal enc
mics among the politicians as that he is
lacking in all the elements of magnetism
and personal popularity. The republi-
can leaders know that a big task is be-
fore them and that they must make
every point to win in 1892. They want
something more than a safe and au-
tious candidate; they want a man who
will draw votes. The party to-day is in
a minority; the leaders know it, and
that minority can be turned into a ma
jority only by bringing back the dis
affected who have gone into the alliance
movement, or are ready to absent them
selves from the polls unless a more
drawing attraction than Harrison can
correspondent of the Oregonian, writing
from Washington of the unmistakable
change of sentiment towards Harrison,
says:
Another reason that is given why it would
be. impolitic to renominate Harrison is that
there would be nothing to promise. The
s%pell-binder could point to the glorious
achievements of the administration but the
politician who really controls the votes and
e1erts the influence could not promise to
the heelers and strikers that they would be
taken care of. Nor could the man who
failed to get an Office during the first four
years hope to be gratified during the next
four years. The probabilities that the men
in the Offices would continue in them would
not be an alluring bait to the patriot who is
looking for a place in the government SER
vice.
All these considerations have been care
fully weighed by the republican leaders, and
they have come to the conclusion that the
denomination of the president would be a
piece of political stupidity; besides, there
ASn - n.rrA N~ r--o Ah-A \
healed by supplanting him with a man who
has not given SO much ~ofense, and who is
at least popular in his own party.
This is all the more significant from
tho fact that the Oregonian is intensely
anti-Blaine and is not in the plot to
force the nomination Of the secretary Of
state. Discussing the letter of it's cor
respondent, the Oresonian says editori-
ally: at is necessary to admit that Har-
rison is easier to beat than many a worse
man. He is honest, capable, safe. He
has made a good record and deserves
denomination, but he is not popular,
more's the pity. If he had one-tenth of
Blaine's old hold or McKinley's present
hold upon the sentiment of the country
he would be irresistible. As it is, he is
rather vulnerable to just the influences
embittered politicians are able to bring
against him. Blaine or Mckinley, with
the imagination of the country enlisted
for him. could afford to despise Cameron
and Quay, Clarkson and Thurston, and
all the Grand Army and senatorial in
triguers. Harrison can't, whatever his
merits. That is what it is not to be-
popular"
But it should not be lightly assumed
that Harrison will be SO easily beaten in
the convention. He is a good manipu-
lator and occupies a point of vantage
from which to conduct a successful cam
paign. Arthur, with all the disadvant-
age of being an accidental president,
very nearly secured a nomination, al
though he was weakest in his W state
of New York. With Depew and Plat
true to him, Mr.. Harrison is pretty sure
of the vote of the Empire State IN con
vention, and the New England states
outside of Maine think Mr.. Harrison is
we'll enough and are opposed to a
change. The republican party in the
southern states consists almost solely of
federal o%flioeholders. John Sherman
captured the southern delegations by
means of patronage when he was secre-
tary of the treasury. Arthur held them
In line by similar means, and Harrison
should be able to do as we'll as they. If
he gets the support of his own state of
Indiana we see no reason to doubt his
denomination. Mr.. Harrison has been
quite successful in getting offices with
out possessing any elements of popular
lty. There is no reason why he shouldn't
win now. But it is a mighty interesting
tight.
THE TARIFF FIRST
The full report Of the prooool;,. 81