New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-09
NOMINAL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.

This does not seem TO be year for "favorite
sons" lightning-rod candidates or Dark Horses.
Personal preference for man because or his
locality Is out of place this year. The people
need relief so urgently that they are impatient
with any man who permits his individual asplra'
tons to get in the way Of Republican success.
Senator Chandler was biIntly reminded OF the
fact by the convention Of his own State, and
Senator Culom learned 1t from the Republicans
of his own district. The people imperatively
demand the triumph OF the National policy or
Protection, and do not tolerate anything that
tends to weaken the support Of that policy. Men
who do not distinctly and Enthusiastically repre-
sent the principle for which the people are up
in arms may save themselves mortihcatlon by
stepping aside lest they be run over by the on
ward rushing army.
1t Is reported that Senator Quay has made up
his mind to withdraw as candidate. and to
give his support to Governor Mckinley Whether
the report has foundation or not, the Senator
would undoubtedly strengthen himself, even
with the people Of his own State, If he should
refuse any longer to hold back Pennsylvania
delegates from candidate whom some Of them
have already been instructed 10 support because
his very name is a protective platform. The
Senator has rendered great service as cham
pion Of Protection, but he is entirely too expert
enced and practical to suppose that he can be
nominated this year, and ii is not the part of the
foremost defenders of Protection TO hinder
nomination which will make the issue as dis
tinct and naked as possible. II the Senator be-
lieyes that some other candidate than Governor
Mckinley would be better or safer represent.
alive Of the cause he owes II 10 the pubic 10
advocate that candidate openly. But II can
didate who does not regard his own nomination
as possible persists in asking friends to support
him, he virtually avows purposes which are
those Of the Presidential trust.
To want man nominated through whom
one can control patronage Is by no means neces-
sarily an offence against Republican principles
1t becomes an offence when the effort Is pushed
TO the point of resisting and attempting to defeat
the will Of a majority OF the party The com
binatcn Of bosses placed themselves In that at
ttude when they entered upon 1.-THE favorte
SON. scheme, in order to divert votes which
would otherwise have gone to a candidate whom
they could not control. That scheme has caused
great deal Of resentment against them, and
against the men who suffer themselves to be
held up as candidates for no better purpose than
that Of the Presidential trust Senator Quay
has seen evidence Of that resentment In his
own State among men who. but for the false
position he has taken, would have been glad
to see him honOred. But no man can be hOnored
by vote cast for him only to prevent a popular
candidate from getting majority. In such
a case a vote is anything but a compliment
| There are genuine candidates whose nOmina-
ton Is possible because they have been able and
/ conspicuous champions Of Protection, and have
| otherwise such public confidence and popularity
outside their own States as TO command large
support No such candidate Is subject to the
suspicion Of staying in the field merely for the
purpose Of defeating another. or helping the
| schemes of patronage bosses. But the candidate
who stays in the field without hope Of success,
and solely TO help the cause Of the bosses against
the masses. will not make himself more avail
| able in any future emergency. The Republican
| party has not a fondness for Tammany methods,
| and has no liking for men who risk defeat OF
| principle in their strife for patronage.