The Washington times., 1894-04-22
On Certain Supposed
Presidential Candidates

Tho Governor OF Ohio has delivered his
speech at Minneapolis, Mr.. Reed has had his
rules adopted by Democratic House, and
Gen. Harrison is proceeding eastward, some
what addicted still to the same old rear
platform habit. 1t looks as II these three
men were neck and neck in the race for the
Presidential nomination OF the Republicans
in '96-neck and neck now at the first quar-
ter, and they are In the race, as many other
eminent Republicans are because the harder
the times the more valuable the bauble OF q
Presidential nomination.
The national and local leaders OF the Re-
publican party don't take altogether kindly
to Major Mckinley. They think Of him, and
sometimes speak of him, as simply an exem-
plincation Of the Ohio idea, by which they
would have us recall the good-natured harm
lessness of Mr.. Hayes and the equally good
natured weakness, not to say hypocrisy, OF
the good Mr.. Garfield. Not that they think
Major Mckinley has not been notable and
brave man; but they would hardly expect him
to be an out-and-out sort OF President-a man
who would say no at the proper time and yes
ut the proper time; a man who would really
lead by the force and flrmness Of his charac-
ter. They have learned to call him little
Napoleon from the appearance OF his face
rather than the condition of his backbone.
This, mind you, is not what l think; it is what
many of the Republican leaders, and they are
far wiser than l, are inclined to think, all
things considered.
The greatest Republican enthusiasm at the
present day is. always expressed for Hon.
Tom. Reed. He is thought to be as big intel
lectually as he is physically, speaking compa-
ratively, that is. So he arouses a national
convention and IN audience of playgoers at a
local theater. He is a rather impenetrable
man, in spite OF his supposed warmth, affabil-
ity. and fine. larSed hearted attention to
children. He is really hard to get at narrowly,
though doubtless warm and afiectionate when
one is really acquainted with him; for surely
it would hardly do for Hon. Tom. Reed to call
the only living ex-President an ice wagon, or,
in the parlance of the ball field, His Ice
Carts" and be at all cucumberlike himself.
The ex-President is gentleman who is
really sin it," and. as formerly, by the logic
OF the situation. His administration was
thrown out. Things have gone badly since,
ana whatever the cause the present admins
tration must bear the blame largely. OF all
this Mr.. Harrison bags the benefit. and he
knows how TO bag things. His behavior since
his retirement from Office has been dignifed,
and his little speeches, as formerly, mellitiu-
Gus, and IN him and through him are the de-
vices and plans Of tho masterful politician.
MIR. Harrison knows enough about politics TO
make no mistake about allowing things to
come his way If they seem inclined TO come
his way. His various ex-oflice holders may
not rush TO his assistance, however. as these
civil service precedents are contagious, and if
Mr.. Harrison were reelected he might think
it necessary to adopt the Cleveland rule
against the ex's. Still the Harrison men may
generally be counted on. and, as formerly. the
people may rise up and demand his renomi-
nation, If not his reelection.
1t is hardly probably that Robert Lincoln
will be nominated for President by the Repub-
licans. though thousands scattered all over the
country feel that this man will somehow be
President some day. but it hardly seems
likely that any Overwhelming popular demand
will come up for the nomination of Mr.. Lin
coin. and surely the managing politicians of
the party will not nominate him. The talk
about Lincoln emanates somewhat from
Chicago. and am told that it WAS possible
not long ago to buy an important newspaper
there if il could have been made n Lincoln
organ thing no: SO wild and unreasonable.
as there in Chicago is the Inter-ocean. the
chief Mckinley organ. The Lincoln talk is
mostly put oGt by the Harrison people. Ii is
intended to distract attention from Reed and
Mckinley.
In the great West is looming up man, and
perhaps his chance is coming next time. 1t
is Mr.. Allison, OF Iowa. who has been thought
of well for the Presidential nomination in
several conventions, who somehow enjoys the
confidence of the great business East and the
almost all-poweriul West rs well. who seems
TO be for Il moderate tariff and for a chance
for silver. and perhaps these issues might help
the Republican party through next time. Ii
would seem Us II something must be done for
silver in the next Repuhlican crusade. Reed
wishes that he might in some way attach him
self to the silver cause, and probably McKin-
Icy does. Mr.. Allison has the better chance.
/! he should tell us how to solve this money
question we would hear more of Allison than
ever before. and notice that he is the only one
of all the above named undoub:cd candidates
who comes from west of the Mississippi river.