The Portland daily press., 1896-03-02

Ofeal LcdOCIe
Hon. Joseph H. Manley writes in the
Boston Journal:
So far as New England Is concerned,
members of the two great political par
ties will present to their respective Ma
tlonaI Conventions theclaims of two citi-
zens of New England for the Presidential
nomination. The choice of the Democ-
raoy of New England will be the Honor
able Richard Olney the present Secre-
tary of State; and the Republicans OF
New England will, with a unanimity
which never before occurred in the his
tory of the Republican party. present a
solid delegation fayoring the nomination
of the Honorable Thomas B. Reed of
Maine.
Mr.. Olney is gentleman in the prime
of life, who has always acted with the
party, which has SO conspicuously honored
MIN, with the great offices of Attorney
General and Secretary OF State. Prior to
his entering Mr.. ClevelRnd's Cabinet. In
1898, he had never held public office He
was lawyer pTacticing at the Suffolk
Bar, taking high rank in his profession,
and standing pre-eminent as corpora
ton counsel He has been the attorney
OF many trust interests, was counsel for
the Atchison and Topeka railroad, and
has for many years been the counsel of
the Boston and Maine railroad system.
He was particularly well adapted to this
line of professional work. He is man
learned in the law, q natural fighter, bel
ligerent, thoroughly enjoying a contest,
unyielding, possessing no spirit of COM
promise, tenacious, having what is known
IN popular language ''bull dog" spirit
BY the force of his merits, he won his
way to the front rank in his profession,
and secured for himself q practice both
lucrative and honorable
He was much Better fitted for the high
office of Attorney General than for that
OF Secretary OF State, but it is only just
TO say that he had discharged the duties
of his present office much better than his
public life would seem TO warrant. STILL
he cannot be called a model Secretary of
State. He does not believe in the ways
and methods of diplomacy. He is not a
believer in the theory that language
should be used to conceal thought, and
his blunt and undiplomatic and undig-
nified letter to Lord Salisbury upon the
Venezuelan question illustrates his un-
adaptabiiity to guide the affairs of state.
Mr.. Olney occupies a prominent social
position, and is gentleman of high char
actsr and rugged integrity. He is an old
fashioned Democrat, and not in touch
with the Democratic party of today. In
tact. upon nearly every public question
he stands for what the Democratic party
does not stand for. and he represents in
politics what hte Democratic party has
repudiated
He is a natural aristoerat, and has
nothing in common with the plain people.
He has no sympathy with the Populistio
tendencies of his party, and would make
much better President than candidate.
He has the courage of his convictions !;
he is firm even to obstinacy, but he does
not possess the grace of tolerancy for
the opinions of Others. He has not q
wide acquaintance with public men, nor
can he be called versed in public affairs.
He is unquestionably the strongest man
in President Clevelands Cabinet, and un
doubtedly the most trusted adviser OF the
present Chief Magistrate of the nation
While he may receive the Endorsement
the Democracy of New England for the
Presidency, he cannot receive the nomi-
nation at the hands of the Democratic
National Convention. He is in every
way better than his party, and he stands
for those principles which in past times
made the Democratic party strong, patri-
otto and powerful.
The Republicans of New England are
In much stronger position regarding
their candidate for the Presidency. New
or before in the history of the Republican
party have the Republicans of New Eng
land been united upon candidate. They
tional Convention, in 49, they were not
united in 1860, large portion favoring
the nomination of William H. Seward
and a strong portion favoring the nom1-
nation of Abraham Lincoln. Even Gen.
Grant was not the first choice of all the
Republicans of New England, and in
1876, when the "Plumed Knight' was
first candidate, and came within twen-
ty-seven votes of securing the nomination
he received only thirty votes from the
New England states, while fifty votes
from these states were cast for Ruther-
ford B. Hayes. Again, in 1880, when
Mr.. Blaine was candidate for this NOM
ination. New England only gave him
thirty five votes, and cast forty five
publican National Convention nnminat-
ed James q. Blaine as their candidate
flor the Presidency. New England only
gave him twenty five votes, and cast fifty
one against him. In 1885, and at the
Minneapolis convention in 1892 the vote
of New Enlgand was divided, and did
not with unanimlty favor any of the can
didates. At the convention at st. Louis
it is conceded by all, that the seventy
eight votes from New England will be
cast for Honorable Thomas b. Reed of
Maine. not because he is a resident of
New England, but because, in the judg-
ment of the Republicans of New Eng
land, he would mako the strongest can
didate that the party could nominate
and the most ideal President that could
be selected from aong themany illustrous
and distinguished members of tho party.
This belief does not in any way involve
any criticism upon the various other can
didates that will be presented to the con-
vention. All Republicans recognize the
distinguished services and the splendid
qualities of the Honorable William Nc
Kinley, Jr., of Ohio. They know that
Honorable Levi p. M orton of New York
has hal career which has been equaled
by few men in this country; that he has
filled every position to which he has been
called with marvellous tact and discretion
and would make an admirable President.
Honorable William B. Allison is as
popular in New England as in his own
state. His long and patriotic service to