The Indianapolis journal., 1895-11-03
FOR THE PRESIDENCY
ALLISON RANKS NEXT To HARRISON
IN THE LIST OF POSSIBILITIES.
He Is Conservative and Adroit--Not q
Bold Leader, but ImmoyabIe I'm the
Lines OF a Fixed Policy.

oeen an oyershadowing influence in Repub-
liean conventions Of the past. Since the
days OF the formation OF the party the
Republicans have never nominated but one
Eastern candidate. This was Mr.. Blaine.
and he was defeated
The tendency OF the Democratic party
has been in the direction OF Eastern can
didates. From the days OF the formation
Of the Republican party. in 1856. the Dem
ocrats have nominated for the Office Of
President but one Western man, Stephen
A. Douglas. All OF the other candidates
have Been from the East, and the major
ity of them from the State OF New York.
In fact, New York has been a most po-
tential factor in the national nominations
OF the Democratic party. From the first
candidacy OF General Grant by the Re-
publicans there has been line OF New
York Democratic candidates, beginning
with Seymour and continuing with Greeley.
Tilden. Hancock and Cleveland. While
Hancock was not strictly a New Yorker,
he was TO all intents and purposes more
closely allied with this State than any
other
IL is this very predominance OF Eastern in
nuences in the Democratic party which gives
such swing and movement 20 the Western
elements in the opposing organization. So.
in considering the Republican possibilities.
it is natural and logical 10 consider Western
candidates in the order of their Importance
before the chances OF Eastern men are ex-
amined.
Senator William B. Allison, OF Iowa next
to Mr.. Harrison, is, perhaps, the most con-
spicuous Western figure. The influences
around him are friendly to Mr.. Harrison. ana
he is also the natural heir TO the support OF
the old Blaine element in the party. The
reasons for this will be apparent from a
casual study Of his political history. Mr..
Allison is one OF the most careful conserva-
tive and adroit politicians in this country.
He is thoroughly we'll informed concerning
public affairs. He is entitled TO be considered
statesman in the best sense OF the word.
although not even his most intimate friends
would class him as a great man. He has
been in Congress a little over thirty years.
serving eight years in the House and the
balance OF the time continuously in the Sem
ate OF the United States. General Logan
once said of the Senator that if the Senate
floor would be covered with eggs. Mr.. Alli-
son was the only man in the chamber who
could walk its full length without breaking
one of them. The extreme carefulness OF
his character might suggest that he was
timid, but his public life would give the
refutation of that. He is not a man who
would ever be bold leader I'm any new
movement. he is not one who would ever
break away from rigid lines OF conserva-
tism, but, nevertheless, within the lines OF
a fixed policy, he would stand immovable.
while at the same time his courtesy and
gentle disposition would prevent his making
enemies through his unchangeability.
YOUNG OLD MAN.
He is in his sixty-seventh year. and is to-
day younger looking than many men or
fifty. His physical vigor has been always
shown in the brightness OF his eyes. the
clear pink of his complexion, and the strong,
sturdy growth OF his thick brown hair and
beard, which to-day shows but little mark
OF the silver OF advancing age. His fore
head is broad and full, showing good OBJ
serving qualities. The eyes are dark and
deep set, sparkling with God-given sense
OF humor which few public men possess.
His nose Is straight and prominent. He
wears no mustache. leaving the clear lines
of his firm mouth unconcealed. He has
deep voice and a very deliberate manner OF
speaking. He belongs TO the modern class
of public men, who rely absolutely upon
clear concise statements and accurate pre-
sentation OF facts TO convince rather than
to depend upon flowers OF speech and the
phrases OF so-called oratory.
Mr.. Allison, from first TO last. in his con-
gressional career, has been specially oc-
cupied with financial questions. He began
his experience in the House as a member OF
the appropriation committee. One OF the
fortunate accidents OF that time gave him q
seat next to Mr.. Garfield. who afterward
became chairman OF the committee on ap-
propriations and President OF the United
States. At the time that Mr.. Allison en-
tered the House Mr.. Blaine was the con-
spicuous figure. There was a small group
of Republicans wso acted Mr.. Blaine's
leutenants. and through their hands all
the favors of congressional politics
were made 10 pass. Those who be-
longed TO that combination had
the best places and were forced forward
in the debates Through his desk
neighbors Mr.. Allison became acquainted
with Mr. Garfield. and by him was taken
into the innermost counsels OF the friendly
Republican coterie that ruled the legis-
lation OF that time. Mr.. Allison never took
part in any OF the factionai contests OF
the party, and while he was always
classed as Blaine Republican. yet was
on the most intimate terms with the most
ardent opponents or Mr.. Blaine. This was
noticeable later in the Senate. where Mr.
Allison sat very near Mr.. conkling all
through the latter's war upon the Gar
fields administration.
1t was his old relationship with General
Garfield that led the latter TO offer Mr..
Allison the post OF Secretary OF the Treas
ury in a Cabinet which he put together
in the latter part OF the winter OF ISL The
selection OF the Secretary OF the Treasury
was made only two days before the inaug-
uration of General Garfield. There was a
great deal of trouble over the treasury
portfolio. New York insisted upon having
il and strenuous representations were made
TO General Garfield TO give this impor-
tant post to the State which had done
so much for him. Senator Allison. how
ever, was General Garield's original
choice. The latter knew that there were
few men in Congress who had such COM
piete knowledge OF the requirements OF the
various departments Of the government
through HIS long connection with the ap-
preparations committee of Congress had
Mr. Allison. Further than this. Mr.. Alli-
son had adhered throughout his public
career TO a very correct financial policy,
which he had presented with SO much
hnesse as TO make no special antagonists
upon the extreme innationists OF the West.