Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1895-07-04
DoINGs AT WASHINGTON
Washineton. juno g. ls95.

~ 1-DA4- iOAl- Vtn1 -
Republicans are much pleased with
the victory won by the administration
in the Kentucky democratic corYen-
ton. II makes republican ueces IN
that state almost certain this year.
History has taught that no state con-
vention openly controlled by National
administration influence has ever
named a winning ticket. Every news
paVer reader can easily recall notable
Instances OF dcIeat which have follow
ed such interference in state politics
by the National administration. but
in no case in the past has the Nation
al administration 50 penlv used its
power TO defeat a faction Of its party
as the present one has done TO defeat
Blackburn's reelection to the Senate
and prevent the silver democrats con-
trolling the kentucky convention.
Law and civil service rules have been
openly violated and every Federal
othcia in Kentucky. big and little,
has been forced. under penalty Of loss
of position. into that ..sperniciOus
political activity" which, when used
against him. never fails to horrify
Mr.. Grover Cleveland. but which in
this case is, in his eyes. perfectly
justifiable. Unless those who ought
TO know are much mistaken. thousands
of Kentucky democrats will stay at
home mex election day, and a consid-
cradle number OF them will, to make
the thing certain, vote the straight
republican ticket.
RapraGanta+s~a Co,pnn of Tll;onf-
one of the veteran republican war
horses passed through Washington
this week. Uncle joe is a close
observer, and his diagnosis OF Presi-
Dental politics from a republican
point of view, which follows, is inter-
esting. 1T is generally the fact
said Uncle Joe. that about this far
ahead of the nominating convention
it is everybody's race. That seems to
me the case now. ! don't think that
any one would be justified in saying
that any n of The republican cand-
idates who has teen named is sure of
nomination. There seems to be a
disposition quite generally to wait for
things which may happen between
now and the meeting of the convention
There is a disposition to go into the
favorite son business, which is always
a sign of caution. 1t often means a
great deal more than state pride or
local patriotism. 1t indicates a dispo-
sition among the men who manage
state delegations to watch the move
ment of events. just now there is a
sort of under current among republic
cans in Illinois not to commit them
selves to any outside candidate, but
to cast the vote of the state for Gull
lom, to begin with. Mckinley has
friends in Illinois, and Reed has
friends there. But it does not yet
appear that either of them is certain
to control the delegation. Iowa will
probably east her first vote for Ali
son, and people in other states tell me
that Allison has a great deal of re-
serve strength. Minnesota NAV give
her vote TO Cush. Davis. | hear from
New York men that there is really a
disposition to make Gov. Morton the
candidate OF that state. Whether
that is seriously meant, or is merely
a cover for some other Interior move
ment. cannot now be determined.
New England. | suppose, is to he for
Reed, although Mckinley and Allison
both threaten to make inroads there
| should think. however, that Reed
might expect New England solid. As
to the general situation. my conclu-
sions from observations in a number
of business trips in the west are that
the republicans. if they shall be
prudent and discreet in the selection
of a candidate, and the conduct of af-
fairs between now and election, may
reasonably expect to elect the ext
President
The vindication of the Reed rules
by the last democratic House is
known to all the world. and, unless
Mr.. Cleveland refuses his consent.
Secretary Olnev will shortly take
steps which will be at least a partial
vindication OF the much abused adj
mi%nistrations of General Grant. Sec
rotary Olney has found out that Presi-
dent Grant made a rule requiring all
men selected to be L. 5. Consuls to
pass an examination before receiving
their appointments. and a little in
vestigation of the consular records of
his Office showed that some of the best
men in consular service today entered
under that rule. These men have
made themselves so valuable to the
great business interests that they
have remained in office all the succeed
ing administrations. This so impress
sed Secretary Olney that he determin-
ed to revive Gen. Grants rule. Many
Of the consular appointments under
the present administration have been
anything but creditable.
A Pioneers recommendation.