The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-26
Withdrawal of Davis Helps
Materially.
The ProtectiOnist Gains Votes
in the Northwest.
Hope That Mckinley Won't Be Nom
mated on First Ballot.

WASHINGTON, March Ex-senator Davis
the theme of conversation at the Capitol.
II made the Mckinley men excessively
jubilant, and the friends of oil other can
didates could not conceal their vexation.
Davis withdrawnl-if such 1t can be
termed, because his candidacy was never
for one moment regarded seriously-gives
Mckinley ~ additional votes. Had Davis
kept out of tho race and not posed as Min
nesotas favorite son, the chances were the
delegation would have been evenly divided
between Mckinley and Reed.
Every loyal son OF New England wants
20 see Mr.. Reed nominated and elected, II
q Republican is TO be the next president,
but that feeling OF loyalty does not blind
some TO the facts as they exist. It is un-
questionably true that today Mckinley
has long lead, and 1t is n lead formida-
bio enough 10 make the other candidates
feel decidedly nervous
1t does not follow because Mckinley Is
at present well 10 the front chat he can
not be overhauled before the close of the
race, but IL Is true that the other candi-
dates must do considerable hustling IL
they expect to-pass the Ohio candidate.
The anti Mckinley managers want to
do something TO stem the anti cKinley
tide, but they do not know exactly what.
They would DO willing TO combine on a
candidate, II they thought such u move
would result successfully, but the trouble
Is no candidate can be selected TO whom
the strength of any other candidate can be
transferred.
1t is known that the Reed and Allison
fsto 81 ~ fafl
ing to secure tho nomination himself, be-
ing willing to help the other mt the ex-
pense OF Mckinley. But a trade Of this
kind cannot be made. The moment Alli-
son drops out of the race, Iowa will be
practically solid for Mckinley, and even
with Allison in tho race, there are weak
spots in the delegation.
III Reed should attempt to transfer his
New England strength TO Allison, a con.
siderable portion of it would be absorbed
by Mckinley before the transfer was
made. 1t is the same thing in New York
and Pennsylvunia Platt has all he can
do to head the state line for Morton, while
Quay has TO fight hard for his own state.
There has been some talk about bring
ing out Harrison as the compromise can
didate but with his own state already dis
posed of in the Mckinley column, with
Platt, Quay, Reed and other big leaders
against him, it Is evident that Harrison
canpot be.used to- lslssof Mckinley.
The -oppositfok sstnSat hope Is that Nc
Kinley cannot be nominated on the first
or second ballot, and IL that Is SO, then
goodby to McKinley's chances.
1t is admitted by the McKinleyites that
this is true, and the opposition will strain
every nerve TO prevent nm early nomina-
ton. What with contests and other
things, IL may be possible 70 keep the Nc
Kinley vote down TO somewhere around
400 and If the opposition can hold together
Mckinley may be defeated. aud then will
come pretty interesting fight to admin
lister on the succession. II Mckinley goes
down. the politicians here believe that he
will be able TO dictate the nominee.
1t is proper TO add that Mr.. Reeds nc
tive managers, Senator Lodge-Mr. Man
ley and Senator Aldrich-express them
selves as feeling easy, and believe that
while Mckinley Is the leading candidate
Just now, he will not have such long
lead when the convention meets, and he
will fall far short of receiving the nomi-
nation by acclsmation. as some of his en-
thusiastic supper ters profess to believe.