The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-09
THE FIELD OF POLITICS.
Senator Fassett on the Presid Dental
Struggle of 1892.
J. sloat Fassett in New York We

J. Sloat Fassett in New York World.
The struggle for the presidency in 1892 will be.
as 1t has been for more than a generation, and
will be for more than a generation TO come. be-
tween the two great political parties, the Repub-
lican party on the one side and the Democratic
the so-called Farmers Alliance and its
associate political bodies may play
IN determining the victory to one or
the other OF the great parties it would be very
difficult to forecast II the country continues
prosperous, If business booms, if the effect of
the Mckinley bill, and of the shipping bills, and
OF the reciprocity treaties, meets or anywhere
near meets the bright promises and an tcps-
lions OF the friends OF these various measures.
II Will be very remarkable il the Republican
party does not carry the presidential election.
The people, and business people in particular.
do not like to disturb the status in quo when
everything is smiling and the sunshine OF pros
perity is blessing the land.
It's little more than guess work to undertake
to name the probable candidates OF the two
great parties; and yet il seems, with reference TO
the Democratic party, one might with a consid-
cradle degree of confidence name two favorites
against the field From the present outlook it
would seem as IL either Grover Cleveland or
David B. Hill will be the Democratic banner
bearer. For in spite of the fact that Henry Wat
terson has read the riot act to these two gentle
men, New York state is of vital importance to
the Democratic party. The Democrats cannot
possibly win in 1892 without the state of New
York. The Republicans might possibly carry
the country with New York state in the Demo
cratic column, but to the Democracy New York
state IL absolutely essential And il goes with
out saying that she would support one of her
own sons more cheerfully than she would q
stranger.
Just whom the Republicans will select az their
nominee Is question which admits of q wider
range OF answers. great many changes can
and tors efa md
today should say that the most promising can
didates are NJ Harrison and Mr.. Blaine. But
in this state this fall and carry the state by
handsome majority, should say that he would
be very dangerous rival in the presidential
race OF 1892.
So much for the men. Now, in answer to your
question as to the probable issues in 1892 have
only to say that until the country has had op-
portunity OF seeing just what the next House of
Representatives is going TO do il is almost too
early to talk about issues. do not believe the
tariff question is going to assume any such pro-
portions it did in 1885, but il is an issue that
will never disappear from our national politics.
The silver question will undoubtedly be brought
forward more emphatically than il ever has
been before, for the Democratic House is pledged
to take some radical action on this subject, and
II is question whether the Republican Senate
may not be betrayed into shaking hands with
the Democratic House this subject by the
silver fanatics in its membership. Maritime
supremacy and wide trade relations, under the
provisions OF the reciprocity clause in the tariff
law. Win Soutn American states ana 0tner
foreign countries, viii undoubtedly receive
more consideration than has ever before been
given to such subjects in national campaigns.
You ask, Can the Republicans VIM" have
already partly answered that question In adj
| dition to what then said let me say that this
present administration is pre-eminently 3 work
ing administration. Never before was much,
30 important and so brilliant work done in so
many departments in times of peace as has been
done and 10 now dong under the lead of Presi-
| dent Harrison. Mr. Blaine in his correspond
| enee with Brazil, Spain. England, Canada and
| Italy has added new laurels 10 his crown. Mr..
Tracy, In the navy department, is giving US the
nnest battle-shlps In the world. Mr.. Proctor
| has won golden opinions in the war department
ana earned the applause of the nation for the
management of the Indian war. Attorney-Gen-
ersl Miller has given an unprecedented vlgor
and efficiency TO his department Secretary No
| bic has coaservatively. but firmly and fairly,
met and solved many vexsd questions which
his predecessors shirked and avoided. Grand old
| Jerry Rusk has already given his department
an importance and dignity and worth not anti
| cipsted for years, and John wanamaker has
initiated ana pushed far on their way admins
tratiye reforms in the postal service that viii
| endure TO bless the people for many years. The
| actual work OF Mr.. Harrison and his cabinet
| honestly placed before the people viii be un-
ansWeraole campaign document Then, too, II
must not be forgotten that the record OF the last
| congress under Republican leadership, acting in
entire accord with and in response TO the wishes
| of the administration, is one of the most brill
| liant IN our history. In sixteen months, under
the lead OF Thomas B. Read, that congress gave
| Us more affirmative benefcent legislation upon
more vital questions than the congresses of six
| teen years OF Democratic control.
As these concurrent acts of administrative
and legislative excellence running through all
departments under Republican control are
brought more and more clearly home To the
approach closer TO the solid ground OF GER
tainties