Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-30

The public have found il difficult to under
stand the significance of the retirement Of
Quay and Dudley from the national committee.
There has been q suspicion that there was an
tagonism to Harrison in it. but Just what turn
1t would take was not clear. Mr.. Harrison HIM
self understood the situation and the appoint
ment Of Fassett as collector of the port Of New
York yesterday was . counter move by him to
meet that by Mr.. Quay.
Those two events-the replacing Of Erhardt
by Fassett and the retirement of Quay and
Dudley from the national committee-were the
first important moves in what promises to be
one Of the most interesting political fights that
has occurred over Q presidential nomination.
Quay, Dudley, Clarkson, Conger and
other members Of the executive COM
mittee, acting with . number of promi-
nent republicans who are not on the national
have determined to defeat Harrison's renom-
iuation, If possible. They believe that there
Is popular demand for the nomination of Mr..
Blaine, and, while he does not want the nom-
ination, that the interests OF the>party demand
mat he shall accept it and he will accept if it
comes to him without his own seeking.
Quay will be the leading spirit in the op-
position to Mr.. Harrison, and the machine
which was worked successfully to elect Harri-
son viii be worked by the same men now TO cut
him Oh with one term. Quay and Dudley were
in q sense in the harness Of the administration
while on the committee and consequently were
embarrassed in their opposition to the Presi-
dent, whereas Clarkson could 60 at the head of
the committee as new man and be independ-
ent OF any obligation to the administration.
THE PRESIDENTS FLANK MOVEMENT.
This is said to have been Quay's idea. He
and Dudley are now cut off from all official or
semi-official connection with the administration
and can work their plans on the outside, leav-
ing Clarkson to manage the affair in the COM
mittee according to the plan with which they
are all in sympathy, The Presiden. un-
retirement. He failed to placate Quay and
then the opportunity presented itself and
he met the opposition with Q little flank move
ment in New York. For some time Fassett
has been little at outs with the President on
account Of a purely personal consideration In
the appointment Of the Elmira postmaster.
That was a small matter and 10 all passed now,
but it kept Fassett's personal sympathies with
Quay. though his political action was kept
subordinate to the wishes Of Mr.. Platt and the
caucus Of the Platt tfaction in New York politics.
BY the appointment Of Fassett yesterday it
was the purpose of Mr.. Harrison to give full
recognition to the Platt faction and to put the
control Of patronage in the state in the hands
Of Mr. Plat to be used IN the interest Of the ad
ministration. SrAR reporter 10 informed on
EeAAhple sutuoIlty tu6t tue euect ontlclpateQ ID
. perfect harmonizing of the administration
forces In New York under Platt and Hiscock, to
make their work effective to secure . Harrison
delegation at the republican national conven-
ton and 70 elect republican legislature this
fall. In the election they propose TO subordi-
nate everything to the Legislature.
WARNER MILLKR's POSITION.
1t is said that Mr.. Warner Miller, who would
take up the cause of his friends and
make An anti-administration fight, will have to
be content to remain "outside the breastworks''
unless he and bis friends are willing to har-
monize under the leadership Of his r1val The
reason assigned for his helPlsssness Il that his
interest in securing . government guarantee
for the bonds Of the Nicaragus Canal Company
will make him afraid 10 antagonize the admin
istration. lest In return some heavy stones be
rolled in the way Of his bill next winter.
He tried to sustaiA Mr.. Erhardt in every way
he coulG. but it is not thought that he will 20
SO far as to openly antagonize Mr.. Harrison.
The Platt faction is the controlling power in
New York state and the appointment Of Fassett
is regarded by those who understand it as q
very shrewd move on the part Of Mr.. Harrison.