West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-10-10
Blaine aS n DOdger.

One of the manifestations OF the inn
moral character of our public men il
'dOdging. IL is witnessed almost
daily in both chambers of Congress.
Hardly division is taken on q public
question or measure that j. not pre-
ccded by the rapid Disappearance OF
some great statesman i'm cloak-rOom,
or his sudden recollection that he has
an important appointment exactly at
that moment in some other part of the
capitol The real motive Of his action
is that of "a political coward, or a truck
ling polilicastrO, who wishes to avoid
any record of an opinion on the qucs-
ton lest it should be used to his di-ad-
vantage in some future election. IL is
the trick of a political knave, not the
act of an honorable statesman, who
never is afraid to- hold and TO declare
his opinions on public questions.
At the recent election in Maine pro-
posed prohibition" clause was sub
mittcd for incorporation in the provin-
cial charter. Mr.. Blaine, who appears
TO have taken great pains tO exhibit
himself at the voting booth in his pre-
cinct, did not vote on that proposition.
That is TO gay, no "dodged." Alter
ward, in a stump speech TO crowd of
his admirers, he took pains to state
what he said was his reason for dodg-
Ing. lie lodged the prohibition ques-
ton, he said, because that is a prOv.n-
cial question, and not a National ques-
ton.
II this statement of Mr. Blaino's was
not n mere quibblc, not less unworthy
in the practice of statesman than
dodging, then the local election in
Maine must have been National cleo
ton TO take the popular decision ON
some National question. What was The
National question that was submitted
for decision in the Maine election? Was
il the choice Of provincial Governor
Was IL the'chOicc Of representative of
tho Augusta District in Congress?
Blaine delivered his vote on those ducs-
tlOns openly, bravely, herocaly. and
even 'magnetically,' il the accounts
are not incorrect. n he did not vote on
a National question, but on p merely
local question, in voting for candi-
date for Governor then IL is clearly n
rational opinion that the reason he gave
for dodging the prohibition question,
so far from being au excuse for dOdg-
ing, added 10 the cowardicc Of lodging
the mcanness Of quibbing fal-chOod
in defense OF IT,
Among the electors in this part Of tho
Republic. neither Mr. Blaine's dodpinQ
nor his qubbIing explanation of IL cx-
cites great applause. "NO man should
refuse to vote ON any subject says A.
{. Hesug. IF Blaine favOrs prohibi-
tiOn of the liquor industry. he should
have said sO, II he is hostile 90 H.. hc
should have said so That would bo
the course of statesman. OF of an
erect gentleman who is not afraid to
Say this mouth is mine and this Is my
honest Judgment, but then.
Mr.. Blaine is not that kind Of a man.
II appears ~ be Germanic opinion
that the question Of prohibition is a
National one but Mr. Blaine's trun-
chcOn llOur.shers declare that that opin
ion is "boJI, and reitcrale that "as
there was no reason in cOns.icr or
law why he should inject this State
question into National campaign. ho
didU' do it-that is all"' That is what
the makers of Blaine literature would
perhaps call stupcndDus argument
OF course there wa- mo- reason i'm con
science or law why he should In cot bv
IBIS vote The mere provincial question Of
choosing p Governor o Maine info n
National campaign bat hc did 10
that IS all And he dOdgcd the prob -
bitOn question, not because 30 is maro
q state question than The election of a
Governor. D. ut because that is the Kind
OF a man Blaine IS. That also IS an.
Chicago Times.
The jecrs indulgod in by Rcpub-
licaDs in $50 because Mr. English
would not open his bari. ' have come