The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-11
A POLITICAL PILGRIMAGE
The One Reason President Harrison
Has for Swinging Around
the Circle.
To Secure Votes for His Own Re-
nomination and Subsequent
Reelection.
The Downfall OF ingalls, and It's LESSON
Humility and Patronage to be
Employed.

WASHINGTON. April 10.--The presidents
purpose III the trip he has in view across
the continent ls purely political. He has a
notion that visit by him to localities never
before compllmented by the presence of a
president OF the United States will benefit
him i'll his aspirations for n second term.
he has chosen route south and west
because his stock is esp peeially weak in both
OF those regions. In the south tho colored
voters and their leaders are not at nil
friendly to him. They charge that he has
neglected them, and. as matters now stand,
they are not inclined to go into national
convention and shout themselves hoarse in
demanding his denomination. 1t will be
given out, however. as he passes through
that section that he is on tour Of observa-
ton for the purpose Of studying more
closely their conditions and deserts, and
that in future they may rely implicitly
upon his sympathies and assist
ancs. In the west, Of course the president
has no following at all. His course as to
silver has alienated every friend he has
out there. and even turned the local repub
ilcan leaders into bitter opponents of the
administration. The ablegt of the westel n
senators rarely ever darken the doors of the
White house. Messrs. Teller and Wolcott.
of Colorado, and Stewart and Jones' of
Nevada, not only have no favors to ask of
Gen. Harrison, but they are equally indis-
posed to grant him any. They score him
openly IN debate and make no secret of
their opinion that the republican party will
have not the slightest chance of success
next year with him again as fhe candidate,
AS for Senator Stanford, he is coquettinp
for presidential nomination himself and
seems to be equally willing to accept it
from his own party or from the Farmers'
alliance. The president. therefore, has no
hold on him. although their personal rela-
tions are cordial.
But the president will pass the local lead
ers by and appeal directly to the people.
He will go into their homes, be gracious to
them and try the effect Of high official blar-
ney on them. de believes that that will
give him foota old and enable the federal
Office holders to secure delegates favorable
to him for the next nominating convention.
A revolution Las taken place since he was
last away from here to remain any length Of
time. His party has all but been annihi-
lated, and he cannot, they tell him, hope
order of things and of how properly to
meet the emergency unless he personally
lnspeots the field himself and talks face to
face with those who participated in the en-
cagenent. They warn him against accept
ing the explanation of local politicians
The man who remains in the White house
and trusts to reports obtained at second
hand is deceived in their opinion, by the
conditions and surroundings of fools
paradise.
The experience of Mr.. Ingalls, is quoted to
the president as an important case in point.
hI In tHn lt,y, hnSA H.,
hottest last year, with Kansas as the thea
ter OF the most exciting part of the strug-
gle. Mr.. ingalls, remained here in absolute
ignorance of the danger which existed. He
was repeatedly urged by his friends to 10
home and look after his own interests and
those of the party. They told him that
marked change wss taking place in po'iti-
cal sentiment i'll the state, and that unless
he noted it and mastered it it would master
him. he brushed the warning aside as un-
worthy of his attention, and relied for his
information as to the situation upon the as
surances OF few hatterers who persuaded
him that he was invincible. The result
overwhelmed him. But no sooner had the
blow fallen than the distinguished victim
began to investigate everything leading up
to it. and now he sees that, by Il little care
ful attention to details and personal exam
lnatlon of danger-signals, he might have
prolonged his political existence Indeed,
he is to-day sounding the alarm for his
party and declaring that it is certain to
meet his fate If it continues to pursue his
course.
These arrangements have made decided
impression on the president and are largely
answerable for the trip he is about to take,
lie not only wants to see the people. but he
feels the necessity of gathering all of the
latest points for use in his next annual
message. He must raise that instrument,
if possible. above the level of the common
place. 1t will be in some measure, as Mr..
Cleyeland's tariff message was, n platform
IN advance for his party and himself in the
presidential year, and the better it Is the
better for him.
Again Mr.. Blaine turns up. 1t is remark
able how completely dependent the presi-
dent is on his premier. MIR. Blaine is all in
all to him, and Just now to the party. 1t
was reciprocity that showed above the
water after the republican ship went down
last November, and it is the letter of Mr..
Blaine on the Italian controversy which
affords the party It's comfort now. The
president believes implicitly i'll MIR. Blaine
and is leaving the whole of tho east to hiA
management. He assumes not only that
Mr.. Blaine is Loyalty i'll favor of his repor-
nation. but that the party on this side Of
the Alleghanies will support III convention
and at the polls the candidate of Mr.. Blaine's
choice. lie will not himself. therefore, at
tempt personally to influence sentiment in
time to the south and west, making liberal
promises to the people of both sections and
using tho machinery of the local federal
offices III the captu, ing of delegates.
gentleman who knows the president
said: Gen. Harrison liz showing plainly
the influence of his ambition. He s putting
aside now good deal of his fight and frac-
IlousnesS, and seems to be trying earnestly
% make friends. Any politician can get q
hearing at the White house these days. and
his request, unless thoroughly unreasonable,
is likely to be granted. And the politicians
are finding this out. Those men who iiocked
in here two years ago and were repulsed,
are bobbinR up again now and many of
lhese are being provided for. They see
Iheir opportunity and are willing to make
terms with the president. He has no little
patronage still ut his disposal, and Il judi
cious distribution of il ought to bring him
A good many delegates to the next national
He has convinced himself that
his denomination can be- accomplished, and
his activity from now on in that direction
is certain to be great"
That President Harrison's friends have
started in in earnest to set up things TO pro-
mote the candidacy of that gentleman for
a second term can no longer be doubted.
Their latest and perhaps ono of their most
important moves liz IN effort to captu,O
the national republican league of clubs.
This was developed ut meeting OF the
officers of the national league in this city,
hald Mt M oOD Fifth avenua 1on Johu