The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-09-07

Maine, and said that he should begin
his work at Portland on Monday night
He believes that the Republicans will
carry the State by fair majority. He
Will take no part in politics this year,
except In his own State, and has moth
ing but speaking part there, as he is
not in the State committee, and has no
part in the management of the CAM
paign. L had seen Mr.. Blaine many
times before tonight in the same sur
roundings. No, not in the same sur
roundings, for then he was over
whelmed with the work of political
campaign. The little Office back of
the parlor, his private work-roon, was
then the scene of busy hustle. Clerks
were at work, telegraph messengers
were coming and going, men were
calling by scores, and with his hand
on the party helm lie directed it with
matchless force. Now there is none
of this. The Office is quiet, and does
not wear the air of politict. Head
quarters have been moved to Portland,
and Senator Frye has his hand OH the
party plow. Blaine seems to enjoy
the change, strange as it may seem.
He speaks well of his young successors
and believes they will win.
No man in this country has ever before
stepped from the highest place in ac-
tive politics into the walk of private
life without losing his temper OH the
way. Mr.. Blame evidently has. There
isn't sign of regret or reDroach in his
speech or actions. He has no h"""
~Vius IUr Lnose men VINO nave stood
between him and the Presidency. He
seems to have settled down to enjoy
life and to do his duty by the party
that has honored him as he has hon
ored it, as it shall be asked of him.
The loss of the Presidency soured
Clay as it did Seward, but Mr.. Blaine
certainly presents to friend and foe
alike good hunorand a far more cheer.
full view of the future than many men
who have lost much less.
While talking with him tonight, al
most in the shadow of the State House,
where he began life in Augusta rs Il
newspaper reporter, 1 couldn't help
but wonder if many people ever stop
ped to think how he started life, and
what great structure he had built
form a small beginning. l remember
going throug the State with him once
when he talked freely of his early life
in Augusta. Entering the lite dingy
Senate Chamber, where the upper
house of the Maine Legislature has
met for many years, he pointed to an
old-fashioned desk nearly in front OF
the presiding officers seat and said:
"There is where began newspaper
life. reported the proceedings of the
Senate for the Kennebec Journal
several terms. 1t was great school
for me- 1 used to educate my memory
in those days by keeping the roll calls
on one or more bills in my mind, and
not writing them out until l went
home. / got so l could remember as
high as five separate votes on different
bills and then write them out hours
after they were given, so as to agree
with the official list of the Clerk Of the
Blaine's ability, so often remarked, to
always have at hand names of persons
and events he desired to recall.
The hall of the House of Delegates
was the next object of interest, and
| there, above the clerks desk, was the
same old chair in which Mr.. Blaine
sat when lie was Speaker many years
ago. He looked over the room SO
closely connected with his first step
in public life, and where he gathered
the rudiments of parliamentary law,
of which he afterward became the
master. He spoke of the men who
were there and great when he began
and turning to the Speakers desk, as
if to recall his feelings the day he wa:
elected to fill it, said;
"When 1 was elected Speaker of the
Legislature felt prouder over it theI
over any office to which have since
been called or could be elected to fill
1t was great honor to be conferred
on one 50 young. 1 was only twenty
six"
Other interesting "reminiscences o
his early life followed, and then hi
talk drifted into other channels. No
long after this passed down by tn
little printing office from which thu
paper is still issued, upon which h
worked when chosen to the Legisla
ture and began reaching out towar
the great place he now fills in tn
public eyes.
An Uncomfortable MementO.
! | Lott tIn fn