New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-08

The closeness of the contest between the two
factions struggling for supremacy in the conven
ten is one of the most remarkable features OF
the situation and it is demonstrated by the alb
surdity of the claims which each puts forward
and the confessions of weakness which both
make without apparently being aware Of it, This
morning Colonel Kitchener claimed 5li votes for
PFcsident Harrison on the first ballot-a claim
which he unheeitatingly increased as the day
wore on, until it reached the neiJhborhood OF
55e or 100 votes more than are necessary TO
secure the nomination.
At the same time that these claims were being
put forward in. the Harrison headquarters the
Blaine men asserted, with degree Of earnestness
staggering almost in its effect upon the unsophis-
ucatcd visitors to their rooms that they had had
large acceSions over night and that the Blaine
column mustered no less than SIS men, abso-
lutey bomb proof, too Such claims, of course,
are irreconcilable they are, already stated alb
surd. They don't deceive any one, and
it is even doubtful whether they serve
TO keep up the courage of the
workers for whose benefit they presumably
are made. If anything, tney prove the weakness
Of each party, and the fact that is afraid
Of the other. That this is the case, is also shown
by the further fact that each faction accusce the
other by turns, of an intention to run third
candidate with the Wow Of weakening the oppo-
sition Not an hour passes but what rumor
is passed along of this and that candidate
being in the field. First it is Alger. lie is said to
he willing b run every time the arthmeticians
rison column and transfer it TO a column by
itself. Within an hour or two a dispatch ar
rives declaring the rumor to be unfounded. The
estimates are readjusted accordingly. For a
while everything quiets down, but not for long.
The buoyant rumor-monger is presently at work
again, and Alger is once more announced for
maly as candidate. This time it must be true.
10 not so and 20 now engaged in writing out the
nominating speech behind closed doors? Have
not headquarters been opened? Is no:
the Michigan delegation whooping up things ?
Alas, they are all doomed TO disappointment. The
announcement is made for the second time in
fsfty-cght hours that Alger will not run, and
this time it is definite. For little while there
Is lull Once more the arithmcticans figure
on Harrison majority Blaine majority,
guided generally by their predilco iOns very rarely
by their Judgment; and in possible by
anything so vulgar as facts.
MORE EXCITEMENT NEEDED.
1t doesn't last long. Some more
excitement evidently is needed. This
time the gossIs single out Massachusetts, Tha,
ancient and venerable Commonwealth has, it i.
true mo favoritc son OF its own, but she dOtes
and her taste is not disputed-0n Mckinley
Presently there are stories floating about the cor
riders of the West House which have it thai
Mckinley is TO be supported by the Massachusetts.
delegation. This time the blow is struck at thu
Blaine camp rather than that of the Harrison
men. For while it is evidently believed. TIL,
estimates are revised again; speculation as t,
the possible and probable effects upon other New
England delegations is INDUCED in annie
the turgid harmonies Of Harrison brass band IL
one corner and the idiotic verses sung by Blaine
club In another. The discussion is at its height
when Governor Mckinley dcscends the steps Of thu
hotel, apd to inquiries as to the truth of TIL
runor, quietly returns the answer lit is al
naoenshine,'
so THEY TRY, TRY AGAIN.
Once more the quidnuncs are at their wits
ends; but there is Iowa-and Iowa has favorit'
sen Let's trot out Allison. No sooner suggested
than done OF course there is not the slightes
foundation for it, and it is shown soor
enough, but il has served its purpose and KEEP
tongues wagging.
Thea there Is that Illinois delegation which i
always wild to vote for Blaine but is cruell.
tied hand and foot, by instructions. Some viii
disrcgard them ii is said; others will follow sui
who possess not the courage to take the initiative
and Immediately the Blaine arithmcticians trans
fer votes and increase the sum total OF thei
cbsupisn's majority.
These are the materials out Of which the table
published hyoadeask over the country are mad
IN Meanwhile the leaders in headquarters liste
behjal Asssd dssn u reports Of ooavsssatiaa