Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-12
That Is What the Candidates for
National Delegates Say, but
SOME PEOPLE ARE SUSPICIOUS
A Very Lively Contest Already in Progress
on the Northside.
THE COUNTY COMMITTEE MEETS TO-DAY

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of the greatest bunko games ever attempted
in Pennsylvania is now under way, not only
here, but in other sections of the State.
"The masses Of the Democratic party
here as elsewhere" continued the speaker
'.are for Grover Cleveland for President
first, last and all the time. There j.
friendly feeling for Pattison and
other possibilities, but only in case the
popular ex-President should positively, ano
of his own accord, retire from the field.
Some months ago, when the Hill clique be.
gan its propaganda, the leaders of this un-
scrupulous and reactionary element of the
party negotiated with Keystone Democrats
of some prominence for the delegation to
the next National Convention. An effort
was then made to secure control ofthe State
organization, but resulted, as is well known,
in ignominious failure. The real friends OF
both Cleveland and Pattison stood together,
as indeed they still do, and the mere men.
tion of their names was enough to cause the
Democracy to rally to their standard and de-
feat that scheme.
Another Effort Made Under Cover.
"But these self-constituted leaders, foiled
in this attempt to deliver the goods, with a
perseverance worthy of a better cause, de-
termined to try it again. Realizing that the
feeling of the Democrats of Allegheny
county is practically unanimous for Cleve-
land, thev have masked their real senti-
ments. In the last few weeks prominent
candidates who have slated themselves fo
national delegates have made vociferou
declarations either for Cleveland or Patti
son, but always with a string attached.
Stories have been circulated by them that
Secretary Harrity and even the Governor
himself were getting ready to sell out to
Hill, and other extravagant charges have
been made.
''The purpose of all these statements is to
create confusion and deceive the Demo-
cratic masses as to who are really in favor
of Cleveland's nomination. If the schemers
succeed in getting part or all of the repre-
sentatives they will endeavor to have the
delegation 60 to Chicago uninstructed and
then sell out to Hill, or whoever may be
the chief candidate of thet anti-Cleveland
combine. A Hill conference was held in
this citv recently, and there is no lack of
funds behind the movement. no not care
a copper who the national delegates from
Allegheny county and the State at large
are, but the Democracy should see that its
will is carried out by insisting on ironclad
instructions if necessary.
Position of the Randall Club.
When the attention of Samuel A. Dun
Club, the leading Democratic. organization
of Western Pennsylvania, was called to the
above statements he said: "The gentleman
is correct in practically every particular.
There is undoubtedly an attempt being
made on the part of the element indicated
to secure trading delegation to the National
Convention. The Randall Club is almost
unanimously in favor of Grover Cleveland,
as has been demonstrated whenever a test
has been made. The same is true of the
Democratic masses in every section of the
State
Albert ]. Barr thought there were no
grounds for impeaching the integrity of the
gentlemen who are running as delegates
ostensibly for Cleveland. He said that he
did not know of any underground Hill
and thought if there was any
that it would be failure.
Allegheny county is for Cleveland" he
said, 'tand so is Pennsylvania The ex-
delegates from this State to the Chicago
"And will he be nominated?"
''That is too far ahead, but the indications
are that he will. All know is that Penn
sylvania will be unit for him. There are
no contests in Allegheny county except in
the Twenty-third Congressional district,
and that is on local issues The people are
for Cleveland and delegates will have to be
governed by their constituents"
A Statement From Ex-Postmaster Larkin.
Ex-Postmaster John B. Larkin, a most
Cleveland man himself, was
very guarded in his statements when inter
viewed yesterday afternoon. "Who are the
bona fide Cleveland candidates for delegates
to the National Convention?" said he, re-
peating the reportorial inquiry. "They are
George Fleming and James NJ Guffey in
the Pittsburg district, and Henry Meyer
and Herman Kunkle in Allegheny. Mr.
Guffey and Mr.. Fleming have no opposi-
tion, and at this time 1 prefer not to say
anything about the opposition in ALLIE
gheny."
''Do you consider MI. Guffey . sincere
man?'
"Well, he has told me he is for Cleve-
land if he can carry New York. He is
doubt his word. He has been liberal con-
member of the party, and there is
no reason why we should not believe him or
why We should not honor him by making
him district delegate -
"What did he mean by his proviso that if
Cleveland could carry New York he was for
him ?''
81 presume he meant that if it was so de-
cided ut conference to be held by the
party leaders some time in the near future
1 did not press him on that point because I
believe he will represent the wishes of those
who will elect him, and they are all unqual-
ifedly for Cleveland, who will be nominated
beyond doubt, just as MI. Guffey will be
elected. Now, outside of any reports that
have been circulated or published concern
ing his alliance with Wallace and Hill, we
believe Mr.. Guffey will take him at his
word. and there will be no opposition to his
The Fight on tho Norths,de.
On the Northside there is already a lively
contest on for national delegates. It is
claimed that 7. O'Leary has written letters
to different Democrats in the Twenty-third
district, saying that neither John Hucken-
stein nor Lee Frasher is for Cleveland, that
their announcement that they are for the
ex-President is only sham. Frasher was
very indignant about the matter yesterday
and said: 'Tt is fact that O'Leary has
been writing such letters. One of them was
by John NJ Kennedy, of Fayette
street. He knows that both Huckenstein
and myself are for Cleveland" Mr.. Frasher
declares himself openly in favor of Mr.
Gufey, and is making lively canvass.
Mr.. O'Leary made the following state
ment last night: 1.-The story that am fol-
lowing Frasher in his effort to deceive the
Democrats of Allegheny City is not true
So far as my writing letters is concerned it
is lie out of the whole cloth. In conversa-