The Portland daily press., 1882-09-02
upon politics rather than trade and manufac-
tare for its growth and dignity.

bure 1or ltS CROWN ana dlgnlty.
MR. BLAINE's HOME.
From the railroad station down near the riv-
er to the place on the hill, a description OF
which begins this letter, is something more
than q mile. | found my way to the pleasant
spot this evening, and was cordially received
by its proprietor. There is nothing snowy in
aide of the house more than on the outside
Everything is arranged for comfort, rather
than for display. Parlor, drawing, library all
are filled and fitted as unpretentiously as
though the man who owned them was the vii
Iage lawyer, or perchance preacher. The town
folk tell me that it was built many years ago,
before the landlord was the great man he now
is and that he loves to keep it and its surround
ings as they were when he made it his home
ali the year round.
Mr.. Blaine had just come in from a drive
when called. He spends good part of each
afternoon ION the road" behind span of fine
horses, 1 never saw him look in better health
and certainly he never seemed in better spir-
it's
Eyes said he cheerfully, when l suggested
his prime condition; 81 am in excellent health,
the climate of Maine always agrees with me.
can recuperste here faster than anywhere
slse in the world" The talk then turned upon
general topics, and Mr.. Blaine spoke with
much freedom upsn everything else except
politics He ovinced great interest in the con-
test in Maine and be said that he should begin
his work in it at Portland on Monday night.
He believes Cn2t bno I6puUllCaHb Will carry
the state by fair majority. He will take no
part in politics this year, except in his own
state and has nothing but speaking part
there as he is not on the state committee, and
has no part in the management of the CAM
paien | had seen Mr.. Blaine many times be-
fore tonight in the same surroundings. No,
not in the same surroundings, for then he was
overwhelmed with the work OF political cam
paign. The little office back of the parlor his
private workroem, was then the scene of busy
hustle. Clerks were at work, telegraph mes
sengers were coming and going, men were CAL
ling by scores. and, with his hand on the party
helm he directed it with matchess force. Now
there is none of this. The office is quiet and
does not wear the air Of politics. Headquarters
have been moved to Portland, and Senator
Frye has his
HAND ON THE PARTY PL0W.
Blaine seems to enjoy the change, strange as it
may seem. He speaks we'll of bis young sue
cessors and believes they will win.
No man in this country has ever before
stepped from the highest place in active politics
into the walks of private life without losing
his temper on the way. Mr.. Blaine evidently
has. There isn't sign of regret or reproacn
in his speech or actions. He has no hard words
for those mon who have stood between him al q
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 honored
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 perfect good hpmoi and
a far more cheerful view of-tlsc future than
many public men who hare lost much less.
While talking With him tonight, almost IN
the shadow Of the State House, where he De-
gan life in Augusta as newspaper reporter
couldn't help but wonder ii many people ever
stopped to think how he started in life, and
what great structure be had built from a
small beginning L remember going through
the State with him once when he talked freely
of his early life at Augusta. Entering the III
tie dingy Senate chamber, where the upper
house of the Maine Legislature has met for
very many years, he pointed TO an od-fashlop-
ed desk nearly in front of the presiding officer s
seat, and said:
''There is where began newspaper life. l
reported the proceedings of the Senate for the
Kennebec Journal several terms. 1t was a great
school for me. | used to educate my memory
in those days by keeping the roll calls on one
or moro bills in my mind, and not writing them
out until after / went home. | got SO l conld
remember as high as five separate votes on dill
ferent bills and then write them out hours al
ter they were given, SO as to agree with the Of
fetal list of the clerk of the Senate" Here was
the
SECRET OF MR.. pLAINE's ABILITY,
SO often remarked, to always have at hand
names of persons aud events he desired to re-
call.
The hall of the House of Representatives was
the next object of interest, and there, above
the clerks desk, was the same old chair in
which Mr. Blaine sat when he 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 be-
came the master. He spoke of the men who
we're there and great when he began, and,
turning to the speakers desk, as If to recall his
feelings the day he was elected to fill it, said:
'When was elected speaker of the Legisla-
ture felt prouder over it than over any office
to which have since been called or could be
elected to fill. 1t was great honor to be con-
ferred on one SO young. 1 was only 49,
Other interesting reminiscences of his early
life followed, and then the talk drifted into
other channels. Not long after this 4 passed
down by the little printing Office from which
the paper is still issued, upon which he worked
when chosen to the Legislature, and began
reaching out toward the great place he now
fills in the public eye.