Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-05-02
Senator Hill and the Presidency.
from the New York Herald.

Mr.. Perry Belmont sails to-day In La
Touraine for Hsvre. I asked him II he In.
tended to be absent from the democratic
national convention at Chicago, to which he
has been elected delegate. he replied
"Certalnly not. 1 am going to France to
meet MP mother and return with her to New
York early In June by the same vessel In
which go to HaVre."
To my inquiry In regard to his preferences
among the candidates named for the nomi-
nation at Chicago. Mr.. Belmont promptly
answered that his frat choice Is Senator
Hill, not only because the New York de-
mccracy had 30 decidedly pronounced for
him but because he, Mr.. Belmont, believed
Senator Hill to be, in every way, the bsst
and safest candidate.
"Do you really think Senator Hill will be
nominated ?" l asked.
Mr. Belmont eaid that he did, and for the
reason that he is confident the delegates
from the West and the South will give heed
to the tscts and opinions which the Nav
York delegation will not shrink to lay b.
fore them, as, indeed, that delegation Is IN
duty bound to do In justice to the democrat
10 delegations from other States.
"Whst will be the character OF those facts
and opipioDe ?"
"Ohiefly the record OF Mr.. Oleveland's 10.
ability when o candidate to enlist the full
d. mocrstio vote of New YORK;" said Mr..
Belmont. Nobody, at least no democrat,
doubts the ompetenoy and experience OF
Mr.. Cleveland fitting him to be President
nor will any New York delegate at Chicago
question the fitness OF German, or Carlisle,
or Gray, or Palmer. II is not at all quss-
lion. ss between the candidates, o! fitness,
for Hill, Cleveland, German, Carlisle, Gray
and Palmer are each ft and competent to be
| President, but the real question Ia THAT
democrat can most surely carry New Yo!k
and with New York carry New Jersey and
Connecticut. There will not he at Chicago
any occasion for bad temper or Ill feeling
Democrat @ politicians In the South and
West know what 8 democratic organization
| In State means, and they will reepect the
meaning. What thu Chicago convention
| has to do Ia to nomis ATE candidate who
can preserve democratic control over the
4 southern States. By reasonable attitude
toward the farmers alliance. and carry the
I four northern States OF New York, Indiana,
l New Jersey and Connecticut. That Ia the
problem. Indiana will speak for it.elf,
and New York, having tenth OF the popp-
letiou OF toe country, and nearly q tenth Of
| all the Presidential electors, will answer for
ITSELF"
But" I asked, don't you really believe,
| Mr.. Belmont, that Mr.. Cleveland can carry
| New York next November Z"
"You must find the answer In the record
of III, Olevelapds campaigns In New York, u
replied Mr.. Belmont. "Iu 1882 when
Cleveland ran for Governor and Hill for
Lieuteuept Governor, the former had plu-
rslitv OF 1872 854 bat the latter had 1876. 78l
10 1884 Cleveland had as Presidential can
didate only 047 pluraity. while In 1876
TiIdeu had plurality of 32SlS, and In
1886 Hill had plurality ss Governor OF II, :
1874. And moro than that, In 1883. under
the most favorable possible conditions,
O eveland las; New York by Is, 0O2 and Hill
on the came day carried New York by 49,
III, I cannot dlscover anything to justify
me as delegate to tell any one at Chicago
that Mr.. Cleveland will bs even as strong In
New York, In November, 1892. as he was In
1888 l may regret 1t, and do regret i, bat
facts are not to be Ignored, and the respon-
sbility ofeach delegate requires him to con-
] alder them. It Ia not of much avail to go Into
the causes of Oleveiaud's falling Oft In New
| York even since 1888. but 1t may be sail,
and will be ea!d, that the unjust and un-
measured condemnation By Mr.. Clevelar d's
partIsaps OF Senator Hill end Tammapy
Hail. the New York Legislature and the New
York democratic crgsi iz,tion explains much
Gift Every democratic politician knows
how the democratic rank and file resent un-
metited abuse of their leaders who lead to
success. When the Tammary voters hear
themselves daily arraigued by what are
known as the mugwump newspaper. and
denounced 80 members Of the eemi'oIimi-
nsl ciasses,n they naturally resent II, and
even M. Croker cannrt overcome or suo
coed 10 sllsying opposi.i IN to any oandl late,
| In. whose Interests lhese attacks are made.
In my opinion one poWstful resson Why
| Governor Hill has been 30 popular at tho
| ballot bo1,s sInrs 1882 is t1et he hes been
30 upjustly 7illifisd by republican aod mug
wnmp newspapers.
I'D you mean to say" I asked, thai
mugwump support OF a democratic candi-
| date, drives away democratic voters In New
York and Kings countles?"
II have net the least doubt Of 1t, un'
der the present conditions" antwsEed Mr.