The Portland daily press., 1892-06-09
ICoUNTlNG STRENGTH.
Harrison Men May Force the Fighting
Today.

MINNEAPOLIS, June S.-A careful an
alysis of the expressed preference of the
delegates with classifcations of the un-
committed ones, shows that the leading
candidates are each still from 25 to- so
votes short of the Presidential nomina-
ton. The balance of power, if a ballot
had been taken today, would have rested
with Gen. Alger. All the ardor, enthus-
iasm and irresistible conviction of sue
cess which the rank and file of both fore
es displayed today are significantly alb
sent tonight. The average Republican
has been disappointed at the slow man
ner in which the leading spirits of the
convention postponed the essential bust
ness. Each faction has suddenly realized
that the citadel Of the opposition is not
to be carried by assault and now each
awaits the result of the ballot. People
who "a hours ago were hilariously pa
rading the streets, are now walking de-
jectedly to and fro wonder
ing how the thing is going to end.
The diplomatic triumphs of the Blaine
element in securing control of the organ
ization of the convention and of the COM
m1ttees which are to play such an inn
of the day. 1t has forced itself upon
every man that there is deep motive in
this and the plans of the Blaine leaders
are cautiously laid. The committee on
credentials, which is Blaine committee,
is proceeding slowly. Of the contests so
far disposed of by this committee the
Blaine delegates have been seated in
every instance. The Harrison leaders
are very much irritated over the Blaine
policy of delay and appear de-
termined to force "a ballot as
soon as possible. It is stated
tonight that when the committee on Gre
dentials at IL tomorrow makes partial
report, as it probably will, and requests
further time, the Harrison people will
move to adjourn for an hour or two with
instructions to the commit ee to wind up
its business and report to the convention
at that time. This will be contested by
the Blaine delegates and may afford an
opportunity for the first direct testsof'
the strength of the. factions. But under
the rules adopted today the presentation
of candidates cannot be made until after
the reports of the credentials and plat
form committees are disposed of. If
the credentials committee is ordered to
report Chairman Foraker and the Blaine
men OF the committee on resolutions will
still have it within their power further
to procrastinate the balloting by delay
ing the report of that committe.
1t is stated the Blaine leaders are to-
night contemplating bold move. They
have agents going through all the state
delegations and selecting therefrom a list
of delegates and alternates to the conven-
ton who are Office holders under Harri-
son. They expect to add to the list
names of all the administration Office
holders not delegates who are
on the ground as helpers in the effort to
renominate the President This list will
be ostentasiously given ont as an indica-
ton of the efforts of the administration
to derpetuate itself in power Blaine
managers insist that ex-senator ingalls,,
who has been loyal to the President, has
been promised the vacant Russian mis-
sion.
The Blaine people state this evening
that it is not yet decided that the name
of their candidate will be presented to
the convention at all. 1t may be found
advisable to vote for him without the
formality of nomination. In case it is
decided to place him formally in
nomination, Ex-Governor Foraker
will make the leading speech.