The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-07-06
THE VICE PRESIDENT.
Mr.. Arthur's Bearing Universally Praised
Affecting Interview with Mr.. Blaine.

Affecting Interview with Mr.. Blaine.
NEW YORK, July "a Washington dis
patch to the Times, dated last night, says Vice
President Arthur remained all day at the re-
sidence of Senator Jones. He received mes
sages from time to time showing the condition
of the President. Quite number of persons
called at the house, but many did not succeed
in seeing the Vice President, who was APP
parenty not in good health. To tell the truth,
Mr.. Arthur has suffered severely in mind
since receiving the news of the Presidents
shooting, The opportunities for misrepre-
sentatiOn have been SO many that it would be
very surprising if some were not taken adyan-
tage of. Many of the statements which have
been made about him, the Times correspon-
dent has good reason for believing to be un-
true. His sdemeanor while in this city has
been very carefully watched. AS the possible
President his actions have been made the sub
lect of very general scrutiny, and those who
nave observed him most closely are loudest in
their praises of his conduct. He is not dis
posed to complain, and does not, of the MANY
unfair criticisms which have been made in
print by men who were piqued because he
was not approachable to them as they in their
dignity deemed he should be. He is, in fact,
not in condition to complain. He was stun
ned at the announcement of the attempt to
assassinate the President and he is still in a
kind of stupor. He sees, of course, what is
going on, and has not lost possession of his
faculties; but he is overwhelmed by the magni-
oouO Va ehO OdlaLIioJ 6uu VI oilO tdoh WulCu u0
may be called upon to perform. Those who
saw him year or more ago when death en-
tered his own family and took his beloved
wife, fancy that they see resemblance in his
present condition to the state in which that
sad event plunged him. There is no doubt
that he is suffering keenly. No one can look
on him for moment without being convinced
of that fact. He cannot, if he would, control
the evidences of his feelings.
WASHINGTON July 2.
Secretary Blaine called upon Vice-President
Arthur Monday at the house of Senator Jones,
where he has been staying since he arrived in
Washington. Mr.. Arthur's usually fresh COM
plexion was pallid, and his eyes were red with
the sleepless grief of the past two days. He
was dressed in dark clothes of light texture.
He showed the pitiless traces of overwhelming
grief. He seemed bowed by the appalling sud-
denness of the great trial that overshadOwed
him When Mr.. Blaine drove up he alighted,
and, barely nodding to the attendants that
stood outside the door, passed in without q
word. Lis face was the picture of unuttera-
BILE woe, and he appeared to be distracted in
is contemplation. Senator Jones and Gen. Ar
thur sat silently in the library awaiting the
coming of the messages that arrived by liver
led messengers almost every five minutes
When the servant opened the door the stately
Secretary walked in and Gen. Arthur rose
hurriedly to meet him, with extended
baud. For an instant neither spoke,
and tears suffused the eyes of both. There
was cordial grasp of the hand, and then Mr..
Blaine, in husky tones said gently, 81 fear we
can reasonably hope no longer. am afraid
our President is at the point of death" Geu.
Arthur let go the Secretary's hand and dropped
back in chair. Till then he had hoped
against hope, suffering from nervous exhaus-
ton and hours of poignant grief. His strength
almost failed him at the announcement of
what he longed not to hear, and had prayed
might not happen In few seconds he mas
tered his feelings enough to ask in broken
tones for the particulars. The Secretary gave
his reasons for his tear and in tones of horror
declared that he saw no reasonable ground on
which to base an expectation, for which he had
longed and longed since the pistol of the
assassin had done its work. Gen. Arthur
would talk of nothing but the fate OF the
President, When it was mentioned that
he might desire to summon Congress, ne
would not listen to anything, but, in choking
voice, said there was time enough for consulta-
ton about that if the worst must happen
He still could not bring himself to realize that
he must be thrust by violence into the execu-
tive chair of the nation He said he should
rely upon the advice of the cabinet, whom he
trusted to do what was best when the necessity
was upon them. Mr.. Blaine rose to co. and
Mr.. Arthur again pressed his hand and
thanked him for the kindness he had shown
him in this afaiction, and the mindful consid-
GRAFTON he had manifested at all times Thus
these two men parted with the trusting fond
ness of brothers, the Vice President leaning
upon the master will of the secretary for gui-
dance in the crisis of his life. 1t has been de-
cided, under Mr. Blaine's advice, that, when
the worst is over, the cabinet will repair, in
Senator Joness residence, where the oath Of
Office will be administered. Guards bave
been placed at the house in anticipation of the
worst.