Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-03-17
The Present Political Situation.

The Hill comet'which was observed by
the Tammany astronomers in New York
several weeks ago, after skirting close to
the Sun and forming beautiful picture,
is now rapidly bow ling off into space,
and. having lost its tail, is destined to
become telescope object, and next
stranger to the political world. In olden
times comet was supposed to fortell
war. This comet brought war with it,
and it is by no means certain that hos
tilities will cease with the disappearance
of the Hill luminous gas. Until Hill
had expertly secured control Of the New
York Democratic machine and made
evident that it was his intention to send
a delegation for himself to the National
Convention there was little question of
the nomination of Cleveland for the
Presidency. After the fall elections Of
1890, wnen, by a combination of circum
stances, the Democrats made sweeping
gains in congress, Democratic prospects
for the Presidency grew very bright. |
and Republicans were correspUndngly |
despondent.
The vast majority of Democrats in the |
country at large believe that Grover
Cleveland should head the Presidential
ticket. His nomination would mean
that the party has definite principles
upon the coinage and the tariff, and THAI
1t is glad to ayow them and battle fol
them upon the hustings. Mr.. Cleve.
lands tariff views are well known, anu
he and his party are in accord upul,
them. His honesty and sincerity ar,
unquestioned. He is admired and re
epected for his courage and probity by
dissent from his conclusions upon til.
tariff. He is the idol, almost, uf tina,
important element, fast growing in mum
uers in this country--the independents
whose votes frequently carry the balanc.
| 1 power. BY reason of Hills powei
with the New York machine the move
nent for Cleveland has been hand.
capped. The timid and time-servin,
are constrained to question the exp.
IIency Of Cleveland's nomination, les
ne should lose his own State, forgetlu
vi the fact that it is more important 10,
the life of Il party that ii should be r.gh.
and unequivucal i'll its professions ratie.
than obtain dear-bought temporal.
victory by cowardice, evasion and trick
,lry In tho ntirna IJiIl hnu hna,
nuisted by his own petard. He calle,
the mldwinter convention in New Yoli
With Il view 10 its effects upon othe.
states, and he obtained control of til,
New York Senate to show his 'decls
,un" in emergencies and the fertility u.
his resources,
So far as the outside States are COL.
cerned, the returns are coming in, alu
where these do not show movement
Ior Cleveland they bring to light sent,
ments for local candidates. NuwheI.
outside of New York has any Stat,
cvinced a likelihood to give majoril, ,
III its ballots in the Chicago conventIu.
ior David b. Hill. The election return.
.n Hll's own State are confronting hIn
iaily with uniform record of heavy
Republican gains in the Boards Of Su
pervisors, which will be called upon !.
lew months hence to count the voter
cast for President. Mr.. Hill has decides.
'angements were in preparation for al
extensive tour, but the Senator has con
Guided, for reasons best known to him
self, to speak only at jackson and Birm
lngham. The Hill boom has burst.
Notwithstanding the present lack OF
harmony in the Democratic party, MI
Cleveland is as likely a candidate as All,
OF his fellows. Governor Pattlson, Sen
ator Palmer, Governor Bvies and Gov
ernor Russell, the most prominentl,
mentioned dark horses" are admirers
Of Mr.. Cleveland, and their delegations
On the first ballot will quite probably
vote for the ex-Presdent. That is cer,
tainly the understanding that is had H.
Pennsylvania SO far as the generality ul
the delegation from this State is con
cerned. The fact that Mr.. Cleveland IL
Tor sound money and has the confidence
Of the business community should not b,
lost upon the convention. Sufficient
time remains for the newspaper press
AMI intelligent members of Congress L,
demonstrate beyond question to the mis-
led "Grangers' the utter folly and hoI.
lowness of the free silver craze. Hill
and Free Silver-that way madness lies.
Sanity dwells at the opposite swing If
the pendulum-a frank, honest cand-
date booming honest money and an hon
est tariff.-Phila. Led ger.
Against Coal King Lilly.