Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-29
FUTURE DEADLOCK
Elements That May Enter Into the
Republican Convention.
MANY CANDIDATES In TEE FIELD
Uncertain Strength of the Fol-
lowing of the Leaders.
WHAT MIR. DEPEW MAY DO

What are the prospects of deadlock in
the republican national convention?
This is an interesting question because.
of the attitude of the friends of Gen. Har
risor toward the presidential nomination
The name of the Indiana leader is not tc
be pressed upon the convention unless
deadlock occurs. This announcement is ac.
cepted as seni-official; but what is the fuT
measure of the assurance conveyed? Arc
the Harrison men to remain inactive or bf
without especial zeal in the fight up to the
ascertainment of the conventions inability
to choose from among the other cacdi-
dates? Or will they so distribute them
selves and msneuver as to help bring about
the very condition of affairs from which
they will expect such benefit for their fa-
vorite?
Lively Competition Likely.
Competition is no more the life of trade
than 1t is the life of a convention. The
St Louis convention will emphasize the
truth Of this. There will be candidates
and candidates before that body, and one
boom will differ from another boom in
glory and Importance. Mr.. Reed, it would
now appear, has a dangerous rival in the
east in the person of Mr.. Morton-dangerous
to the extent that the eastern vote, which
otherwise would probably go solidly at the
his disadvantage. It may mean much to
him not to be able 10 command his New
York strength on the first ballot. MIR. Nc
kinley is likewise, and probably to an equal
extent, mens ced by the aggressive candidacy
of Mr.. Allison. Had the Iowa Senator re-
manned passive in the race much of his
first-choice strength would have gone to
the Ohio candidate. Here, then, are divi-
SionS Which, were there not others, would
make the pathway of the two leading can
didates difficult enough to tread, and make
a deadlock much more than bare 5ug-
gestion.
There Are Others.
But there are Others The Morton people
have been hoping for support in New Jer-
sey, but it is understood that Senator
Sewen will keep his state out of the Nor
ten column, even If he has TO become a
candidate himself. In the northwest Sena-
tor Davis is subdividing the Allison divi-
SIGN of the Mckinley territory. In the far
west ex-senator Henderson may become a
factor, to the disadvantage of Mckinley.
In the south Senator ElkiEs is coming for
' ard, and may represent before convention
time much more strength than the vote of
West Virginia alone will give him. The
action OF Illinois is uncertain. The name
of Robert Lincoln or Sena tor Cullom may
yet he brought forward, and that would
operate against Mr.. Mckinley. In Pennsyl-
vania Senator Quay is figuring on the stu
alton with creases q foot deep across mis-
able brow. He is represented as in state
of betweenity. He admres both Mr.. Reed
and Mr.. Mckinley, and would be satisfied
with either as the candidate, bat what his
Eeart is strongly set on accomplishing is
the keeping of Harrison sentiment in the
deleea ton down to small a proportion as
possible. Aid in order to do this he may
in the end ask for the delegations support
for himself.
Elements of a Deadlock
Are there not the elements of a deadlock
if skillfully mixed together in the number
of these candidates. alone? The first few
ballots will show the conventions vote
divided among half dozen men, and this
will mean peril to the leaders unless a
successful combination can be speedily eff
feeted in behalf of one or the other.
IL the Morton men in New York, and the
Quay men In Pennsylvania, find themselves
unable % go promptly to Mr.. Reeds sup
port, the Speakers opportunity will pass
and If Mr. Mckinley cannot command the
Allison, the Davis and the Henderson
forces his opportunity VIII pass. The fail
ure of the two leaders would, of course
produce the necessity for a compromise
man, and the play OF the Harrison men
will be to assist in bringing both of them to
that fate. Then, with the Ell1ns ana the
Sewell votes for a starter, the Harrison
men can begin to do business on their own
account AID ask for the nomination of
their favorite as the tried man upon whom
all sections can safely unite.
MIR. Depew's Opportunity.
A situation like this would best be served
by ringing speech. Upon whom could the
Harrison men in such an emergency call?
Chauncey NJ. Depew? Mr. Depew will go 10
the convention a Morton man. BIT with
Mr.. Morton beaten, Mr.. Depew would be at
liberty after a few ballots to announce his
second choice The Harrison men are
claiming him. They are likewise certain
that Mr.. Morton won't survive long in the
conNen ton. Then, Will the brilliant man
from Peeksllill brace himself for the effort
of his life, and set the pegs for future in
the matter of convention oratory? In case
OF republican success at the polls a new
Secretary of State and a new ambassador
to Great Britain will qualify in the spring
of 1897. Both are good places and to be
allowed to choose between them would be
a great compliment in itself