New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-24
"WHITNEY'S CHANCES. "

has positively declined to be candidate for the
Presidency than to proceed 10 take vote AS to
what his chances are now that by his own mo-
ton no has destroyed whatever he originally had
Seeng this. THE Ncw-York World after hav
ing drawn from Mr. William G. Whitney posi-
tive statement that he was not candidate for
the Democratic nomination for President, at
once set about collecting the opinions Of the
editors of the Democratic newspapers in this
State regarding that gentleman's present popu-
larty and his strength with the party. And as
Democratic editors up the State are not averse
10 the publication of their opinions upon great
questions in n metropolitan daily. THE World
has succeeded in amassing large and pictu
resoue collection Its inquiries, distributed in
a circular letter. were: FIST, How whitney
would run with Cleveland out OF the ield:'
second Would h. carry the slater third, rs
he popular?" and fourth, What Is the Keeling
of Democrats In your secton?' These be search
ing questions to put concerning private citi-
zen. whose expressed desire to he left In retire
ment is made the occasion for dragging him into
not only the glare Of publicity. but the focus OF
criticism Replies were forthcoming. however,
all the same And even II they serve no other
purpose. they may afford Mr.. Whitney some en-
tertainment as showing the esteem In which ne
is held by his fellow citizens when not running
for Office.
II will no doubt be exceedingly gratifying to
him TO be assured by Mr.. Ford, OF THE Albany
Argus" that he lis well known in Albany. Not
only that. hut "he Is very popular among Albany
Democrats" Mr. Ford adds that 1.-THE belief here
lis that he means 1t when he says that he Is
mot candidate and will not accept" Which
NAV possibly account for his popularity. but, at
any rate, is complimentary to his sincerity. Mr..
Northrlp. Of THE Syracuse News thinks ne
is 1.-The ideal candidate" and that he meets the
renurements Of the hour" The Ideal candi-
date" we presume. is the candidate who de-
clines TO be a candidate until he is actually nom
inated-as for instance Horatio Seymour did
in 1865. as David B. Hill did in this State last
year and as James f. Campbell did the other
day in Ohio. Mr. Whitney certainly meets this
"reouircment Of the hour" The Editor Of THE
Watcrtown Herald" says whitney would run
we'll" hut that Flower Is stronger"-he doubt
less means stronger in WATERFOWL, where Flower
lives This editor. however does not think that
any Democrat can carry New-York State-not
oven Flower. Mr. Greenhow Of Hornellsvc.
is Of the opinion that Whitney would get every
IF the mysterious swing Of the pendulum due
coward the Republican side next year could
"be arrested" Greenhow, it will be perceived.
Is cordial but not confident. what Greehhow
fears is 1.-The mysterious swing Of the pendulum"
We suspect that Mr. Whitney is in entire agree
ment with Greenhow about the pendulum He
meets the requirements of the hour by Know
ing when it Is due to swing
Very brief Is the answer Of the Editor or "Ihe
Rome Sentinel" He says whitney would run
like a steer in the corn. Democrats here all
like him." Nothing could be more graphic
Democratic candidates from Grover Cleveland
down ran like a steer in the corn In 1897, ana
have been running like steer In the corn
ever since The corn" shows II. 1t Is very ex-
citing. but not good for agriculture or for any
thing else except the steer But ii Is MI
Joseph OConnor, Of THE Rochester Post-Ex-
press" who answers the inquiries with the most
brevity directness and veraciy not unmixed
with characteristic humOr. AS to how Mr. Whit
ney would run, Mr.. O'Connor says, "As well
las money and good management would enable
him to run" TO the question. Would he carry
the StateT he answers Il think not" To the
inquiry, rs he popular?' he replies. Not so
popular as he used 10 be- And to the last in
terrogatory. What Is the feeling OF Democrats
in your section?" Mr.. OConnor, with refreshing
frankness, says 81 rs one OF serene indifer-
ence" These responses Of Mr.. O'Connor are the
gem OF the collection. They may not be calcu-
lated to kinde Democratic enthusiasm or inspire
confidence In the party, and they suggest per
haps the natural impatience Of busy man bored
with impertinent questions, but they furnish the
only CLEAN Of humor in the whole series, and
are certainly admirable for their candor and
directness.
After all, we feel constrained to say that 'rhc
World" In compiling its conundrums, made Il
serious mistake in emitting any reference 10 the
double barrelled whistle with which the Metro
politan Traction Company equipped the con
ductors Of the Sixth Avenue Railroad Company
early In the present season. That whistle Is one
of the most agonizing instruments Of torture
ever used by greedy and grasping corporation
TO drive men TO profanity and women TO tears
Mr. Whitney Is a large stakeholder and extreme
" influential person in the company. The Trib
une appealed TO him TO suppress 1t entirely, but
II Is still in occasional use by conductors, who
resort to ii In moods Of evaporation. 1t would
have been much more to the purpose II THE
the State upon the question whether. in their
Judgment. any man. however lovely in character
and otherwise popular, who was In any way
responsible for that double barreed whistle
could ever be President of the United States