Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-22

HAERlsoN's PROSPECTS LIES.
A superficial view of republican politics at
this iuncture seems to point inevitably to the
denomination Of President Harrison, but
careful analysis Of all the clements entering
into and bearing upon the situation shows that
1t is not absolutely free from danger to the
Presidents prospects. Beneath the appar-
emily placid surface there are evidences
OF movement in progress. engineered
by able and influential men in the counsels
OF the republican party. to Compass the Presi-
dents defeat at Minneapolis This movement
has been taking more definite and tangible
shape in the iast ten days than it had previously
| assumed. Those people who, on Mr. Blaine's
Withdrawal from the canvass. hastily Jumped
to the conclusion that the republican nomina-
uon was already settled in IIarrison's favor,
haze been obliged TO revise their Judgment in
the light of recent developments
STRONG WITH THE PEOPLE. BUT NOT WITH THE
MACHINE.
Of course the masses care little or nothing
about the offices, but they watch their public
servants closely and take notice when national
affairs are conducted creditably and on busi-
ness principles. President Harrison undeui-
ably stands well with this element of the re-
publican party. In its estimation he has given
u
and 1t Is generally in favor of his denomination
But this is not the element that always controls
conventions. The active politicians, who more
or less depend on and deal in government
patronage, view the President from an en-
tirely different point of observation. In gen.
eral hs has been too independent in the dis
tribution of the offices to suit the machine.
Many of tho politicians hostile from
various causes. They argue that President
Harrison has made the party stronger for some
other candidate than himself exactly as
Horace Greeley argued III the case of Seward
in 1860. Then it was anybody to beat Seward.
| In 1876 1t was anybody 10 beat Blaine at Gin
cinnati; III 1880 it was anybody to beat Grant at
Chicago, and now, with the politicians of the
class referred TO, it is anybody to beat Harri-
son at Minneapolis. The President knows this
as well as anybody and he knows what a ire
mendous force these apparently incongruous
and dissatisfied elements sometimes become in
the hands OF a Zoe, and his managers are en-
deavor;ng to meet the danger.
The early convention in Indiana was the first
decisive and open step-and a significant one
taken on the part of the Presidents friends IN
favor of his Candidacy for the purpose of at
once sIlenclng iactlonal opposition In his own
state and TO give confidence 20 HIS followers in
others. which, by the way, WIS the object of
Hills early convention III New York.
WHERE THE PRESIDENTS DANGER LIES.
Hence it becomes matter of general inter-
est and Importance to know the extent of the
Presidents danger and his vulnerable points
and the grounds on which his opponents base
their hopes of success in case the fight should
De carried into the convention. 1t is generally
believed among politicians in this city that the
Presidents chief danger is in New York, Penn
sylvania, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan, the
hve leading republican states of the country.
Inc storm center is at present hanging over
New York, which is controlled by republican
nd eff
that of Tammany Hall. The Presidents hope
OF success lies in piacating this machine, and it
Is the popular impression that this is what his
friends are now endeavoring to do.
1t must not be understood that Harrison is
without friends in New York and the other
states named-he has plenty of them-or that
the machine is unalterably opposed to him.
They do no: like him. but will support him if
they lind 1t impossible to defeat him. or be-
come satisfied with the terms his friends offer.
They simply claim to be for the best man. the
man who can win, but in none of these states,
excepting perhaps Ohio, are they believed to be
at present favorably inclined to the President.
IL their opposition crystallIzes and the dele
gates from these states can be united against
the President hIs nomination would seem to be
next to impossible.
NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
Should New York go to tho convention prac-
tically solid against Harrison it would form
would be very apt to gather, especially If it
presented popular and unobjectionable can
didate. And even Pennsylvania, with New
York hanging back. could be used in the same
way, though of course, not SO effectively as
the former, which is n doubtful state to be
won. whereas Pennsylvania will certainly vote
for the nominee, whoever lie may be.
But both these great states yet good mis-
sionary ground for the Presidents managers.
as neither has yet presented candidate for the
nomination. Michigan and Illinois are both
practically beyond his reach already. with
favorite sons of their own actively in the field,
and in Ohio 1t is not impossible that Gov
Mckinley may be eventually forced into tine
field by public opinion, fostered bv the
Foraker faction, which Is opposed to both Har-
rison and Sherman. His name would I'M
doubtedly have gathering force.
But In New York, where the opposition must
necessarily find ito chief rallving center the
men most favorably considered as available for
the double purpose of defeating Harrison aud
the common enemy at the polls are John Sher-
man and Secretary Rusk of Wisconsin Gov
Rusk was brave soldier and has made fine
| record as an administrator both here and
as governor for seven consecutive years of what
Is now considered u doubtful state. He has
many natural elements OF popularity and his
name Is thought to be one to con jurewlth Senator
sherman lis very strong in New York and with
the Germans of the whole country on account
OF his financial record and generally solid and
safe character. If the empire state should con-
ciude to take up Sherman, as a matter of course
ONO would naturally fall into line. followed by
Illinois and Michigan, and probably Iowa and
Minnesota. 1t is said Mr.. Plat is implacably
opposed to Sherman, and but for his personal
hostility New York could easily be rallied to
the support of Nil. Sherman. But it is not
difficult to make an arrangement with Mr.
f!att, was demonstrated at Chicago four
years ago.
THE CHANCES FOR SHERMAN.
Many slrewd and experienced public men
express the opinion without hesitation that
John Sherman is at present the man most
liable to be the choice of the element seeking
an available man to pit against Gen. Harrison
at Minneapolis. He does not appear to be a
candidate. but he is undoubtedly stronger with
his party thanJ at any previous time in his
career. 1t is generally believed that the Ohio
Senator long since shook the Presidential bee
from his bonnet, and that he now in an
indefinite sort OF way tavors the President for
denomination. However. should Messrs Platt.
Quay aId the other managers of the New York
and PENNSYLVANIA machines secure control of
those delegations and tender them to Mr. Sher-
man 1t is not deemed probable that he would
decline their support The Presidents best
chance. lies in the>fact that his opponents can
| only use Sherman for himself; he will not
unite with them in any mere raid on Harrison
in favor OF the field, and it is held to be doubt
full IT they can SO readily unite on any other
man.
Nor can they use either Mckinley or Gov.
IL, E-.... Il