Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-02-04
ALGER In THE LEAD
The Politicians Figuring To
Nominate Him
lF BLAINE is OUT or THE RACE
Much Seheming Doth Now Possess the
Men Who Direct the Movements Of
Conventions Gossip Of the Day.

wAsHmGrox, Feb.s S.-A movement
is in progress here OF which the people
have very little knowledge. Ii ls no
less important n movement than the Sc
lection OF presidential candidate for
the republican convention ia the event
OF the retirement of Blaine from the
field, aud IN opposition 10 President
Harrison. Some OF the managing men
on the Republican national committee,
and outside of the republican national
committee, who have desired that Mr..
Blaine will not be candidate tor the
presidency are IN no haste To have an
announcement made Of this fact. They
desire 10 avail themselves of the oppor-
tunity which will be presented 80 long
as II is supposed that Mr.. Blaine is ia
the field To determine upon some can
didate who they think Will he able 10
defeat Harrison in the convention. The
assumption of the friends of Mr.. Har-
rison and OF some OF the friends OF Mr..
Blaine has been that so soon as II shall
become apparent that Mr.. Blaine is not
IN the field there will be no opposition
TO the nomination OF President Har-
rlson. Those who are OF this opinion
are greatly deceived. There Will be
formidable movement against the re-
nomination of President Harrison as
soon as 1t shall become known that Mr..
Blaine will not go before the conyen-
ton.
Turning to Aiger.
The anti-Harrison movement is formi-
dable. 1t Is being conducted covertly.
The name OF Blame is being used 10y
some who are deep IN the movement
merely as cover. 1t can not be said
by any one who knows their political
history that either Senator Quay or
Senator Cameron, of Pennsylvania, are
enthusiastic adherents of Blaine. Mr..
Cameron, at least, has been in one
national convention very earnest OPP
ponent of MIR. Blaine. The impression
prevails that the movement for Blaine
delegates in Pennsylvania which is SO
rapidly proceeding is intended To place
the political managers IN that state in
control of the delegates SD that their
votes may be cast for some candidate
who was net supposed to be in the field
at the time these delegates were chosen.
There have been several conferences
here within the last two weeks. at
which IN the greatest privacy the plans
of some OF these leaders were unfoided.
The difficulty III crystalizlng such a
movement has been that those who
favor il have not as yet been able TO
agree upon any candidate with whom
they are convinced they can MAKE a
successful opposition to President Har-
rison in the event OF the retirement of
Mr. Blaine. Several names have been
mentioned. Among them is General
Alger, OF Michigan. The friends of the
latter are very earnest that such a
movement shall be made. The friends
of Mr.. Cullom have also thought that
his name might be used.
Harrison in Ignorance.
The private character OF this move
ment is, perhaps, best illustrated by the
fact that President Harrison and those
in his immediate household appear TO
be ignorant that there is such move
ment. 1t is known TO be the theory of
the president that he would encounter
practically no opposition before the
national convention in event tina. Mr..
Blaine's name shall not be presented.
And the confidence which the presi-
dent has had IN his own reelection ap-
pears TO have been based in large meas
urc upon the belief that Mr.. Blaine's
name would not bc presented. IL is
very doubtful. however, whether Presi-
dent Harrison has contemplated active
opposition from any other quarter
upon the retirement of Mr.. Blame.
When the attention of those who are
very near to tie president was called TO
this situation today, the utmost sur
prise was manifested that such move
ment could be in contemplation, much
less that a serious organization has al
ready been effected to that end. II
can not be ascertained that President
Harrison has made any organization
for the purpose of securing delegates.
lie seems TO have no definite plan of
campaign but to be relying upon his
administration as his recommendation
for denomination. And the best trib-
ute to his administration is the admls-
son of those who are covertly working
against him that they have not yet
been able 10 find a person who IN their
Judgment, could defeat President flar-
rison before the convention with Mr..
Blame out of the race.
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