The record-union., 1892-02-04
Special to the REcoRD-US1ox.


Special TO the RECoRD-UNIoE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.-There is feel
ing among some of the best-informed
Democratic politicians at the Capital who
ere not pledged on faith to any particular
candidate for President, that Mr.. Hill
has perhaps over-reached himself in his
eagerness to make known to the whole
country the fact that he has control of the
political machinery of New York. The
opinion is expressed that in contriving to
have the State Convention on the 22d of
February, before that held in any State
IN the Union, he has provoked such hos
tilities that may prove fatal to his ambi-
tion for the Democratic nomination. 1t
Is said that some good reasons have been
advanced for holding very early con-
vention this year, but at the same time it
is very difficult TO overcome the impress
sion that Senator Hills motive is to make
& demonstration of his strength at home,
that it may influence the action Of other
states in the selection of delegates to the
National Convention.
The Hill people claim, and from re-
ports which come III from other sources
there appears to be some foundation for
their claim. that he has been gaining
strength in certain sections Of the cOun-
try where he has heretofore been con-
spicuously weak. From this evidence
they claim that the tide is setting in his
direction, and that all that Is necessary 10
make the movement IN his favor effective
is to demonstrate beyond a doubt that he
has the Empire State behind him. This
they expect TO do at the convention on
T.VTr tl.~ ~All
formed politician disputes that, as things
now stand, Hill viii have very large
majority in that state Convention, and
that a Fill delegation to the National
Convention viii be chosen by it.
The Cleveland people obviously feel
that the calling Of the convention at this
early date is rather rubbing il in on
them, and even though they confess to be
unable to successfully contend against
Hill in the convention, Cleveiand's
strength in the State is beyond question
very great, and politicians here who are
not prejudiced in HilFs favor believe
that he resentment of the Cleveland
people may find sufficient strength to in
GicaLe to the rest Of the country that
though a Hill delegation may be adj
lnitted into the National Convention, yet
there is such antagOniSm in the state that
it might make the wisdom Of his selection
IS the national standard bearer. 1t is
fully expected that there viii be contest
by delegation from New York, repre-
seoting those who are opposed to Mr..
JIill and who object to his political meth
Ods. 1t is quite probable that this con-
testing delegation may not be admitted
10 the convention, but their presence will
undoubtedly have an influence, and ii IS
regarded as possible that though Mr..
Hin might be able to prevent the nomi-
ration Of Cleveland he viii be utterly
unable to secure his own nomination.
There are a great many prominent pol
iticianS in Washington who believe that
in case the nomination does not go to
New York, Western man will be Sc
lected and some prefer Western man as
1IrSt choice. but when it comes to q queS-
ton of individuals the situation is some
what perplexing. Though Boies is spoken
OF, it is very freely said that he has not
been long enough firmly established in
the Democratic party TO make an avail
able candidate, ana there will be consid-
cradle opposition to him. Palmer of Ill
inois is rather old, though very active for
lis years, and there is a strong probable
ity that the Morrison influence in the
tate would be used against him. On the
other hand, there being rivalry and an
tagonism between the two factions in the
State, it is probable that Mr.. Morrison
himself would find difficulty in securing
that support which is necessary to give
=
With these men out Of the field the cir
Gle is narrowed considerably. If it were
not for the fear OF going into the South it
is believed that Carlisle might be a strong
candidate, though if he got the nomina-
ton he would be subjected to personal
attacks in the campaign, which might be
unpleasant. 1t seems, however, to be p
settled. or a practically settled, fact that
Kentucky will send a solid delegation for
linn, and his name will be presented to
the convention with all the fervid elo-
Cuence of Southern oratOry. The fact
that he is a leader in tariff reform and
stands firmly by all the fundamental
principles of Democracy goes a long way
toward overcoming some objections 10
him, but still the sectional feeling will be
lard to overcome.
The political prophets of the Capital
believe that they see German stand
ing out as a strong possibility, not
by reason of his original strength, but
because they think he is in position to
Craw support from all factions in the
party. They confess that some of his
former political associations may tend to
weaken him, yet the fact that he is recog-
1liZed among Democrats in Congress as
among the foremost men in ability, and
that he has of late put himself in touch
with the best sentiments of his party
leads to the belief that he may develop
more than ordinary strength as a COM
promiseIcandidate. 1t is the current opin-
ION that the Cleveland men prefer Cor
man TO Hill. and that the Hill men pre-
fer him to Cleveland, while he personally
las not taken sides, but is preserving his
friendly relations with both men. All
this talk is the current gossip of the hour.