The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-01-10
Our Washington Special.
A COnEressmsn tells our Cores.
pondent a Startling Tale About
Arthur's Tactics to Capture
Blaine. Tom 0chiItre on
Morrison and Hewitt
Cox and Springer.
Notes.

Washington, and the secret monotone |
in which the words were uttered indi-
Gated that startling information was
in possession of this omnipotent hon
orable hence L endeavored to creep
into his confidence, and sailed forth
with the Establishments of astonish-
ment and curiosity.
Is it possible! Was it in the polit-
ical arena?"
Certainly and high.toned arena
it was. You remember that President
Arthur dined with Secretary Frey
linghuysen Christmas night ?n
eyes, but there is nothing startling
in that"
Don't be impatient, young man.
OF course the people know that Ar
thur dined with his Secretary of State
but they don't know that thereby
hangs a tale. Not half dozen people
in Washington are cognizant of what
happened in Freylinghuysen's private
parlors that day. l will give you the
facts if may depend upon your honor
that my name be not given as your
informant"
Mr.. Blank, here's my honor. CWe
shake) May this tale be given to the
thirsting public as positively reliable"
eff it ever comes to a denial, you
may publicly call on me for the neces-
sary substantiation.n
VERY well give us the tale"
You may say that shortly after
Arthur and Freylinghuysen had con-
eluded their Christmas dinner, close
carriage drove up before the Secretarys
residence; from this carriage alighted
James q. Blaine, who hastily disap-
peared into his successors abode. 1t
had all been prearranged, and they
| met there in conclave for u purpose.
The Congressman stopped here and
tantalizingly began to puff at IA cigar.
Very seldom does IA newspaper man
lose control of serene equanimity
when information is being impaired
to him, but this much of the Congress
mans story excited my intense ankle
| ty to know the balance, aud 1 impet-
uously said
See here. Don't vex my inquisi-
tiveness with that tobacco smoke.
Why did Blaine condescend to call on
Arthur and his Secretary"
You shall know, young man, and
[ want the public to know, for reasons
that you may surmise. l am not q
Blaine or an Arthur man, and / want
to see Arthur's plan nipped in the bud
| 1t is a we'll known fact that Arthur,
Blaine and Logan are now the leading
candidates for the nomination at Chi
cago in 1884. You will remember il
was reported that Blaine and Logan
had agreed that their supporters in
the convention should sing Il joint
chorus against Arthur. Tie Presi-
dent became alarmed at this combina-
tion, and sent for Blaine. Blaine, not
averse to entering any new compact
that will increase his chances for the
ambition of his life, called on Arthur
as L have said. Arthur, you know is
melted to make formidable effort fol
the nomination, because three or fOul
Eastern States seemto prefer his can
didacy. He Is aware that Blaine will
hold large delegation, the largest
possibly of any one candidate, and he
made overtures to him that smack OF
the republican rule OF Napoleon in
France"
A few more whifts at his cigar, and
the Congressman continued:
Arthur intimated 10 Blaine that il
the latter was not nomina'e ed on the
first ballot, and the vote disclosed that
Arthur's delegates numbered respecta
oily with either Logan's or Blaine's,
aud the Logan delegation exceeded
the Iatter's lin which case report says
that Blaine is to throw his forces to
Logan), then if Blaine would transfer
his support to Arthur, thereby nomi-
mating him, Arthur would place at
Blaine's disposal the Secretary OF
Statoship, and the naming of "a man
for any other bureau III the Cabinet
Mr.. FreyliDghuysen endorsed this
proposition by assuring Mr.. Blaine
that he was very willing 10 retire from
the Cabinet at the end of this term,
and hoped that such amicAbie relations
could be established between MIR.
Blaine and the President rs would lead
| a., MI Nt N al
derstanding."
did Blaine agree to the proposition!
" No, sir. He rejected it, declaring
that he is not candidate for the nom.
ination, but you and I knew that Mr
Blaine wants to be President of the
United States, aud that he has little
confidence in ArLhur's strength before
the Convention. The matter is resting
in that pose at present, but Arthur Is
not done with Mr.. Blaine unless these
facts are published to the people. Send
them out, and if any one attempts tC
corner you, call OH me.
After hearing this strange Christmas
story, found myself in such a dazed
condition that it required some effort
to look after the more commonplace
news, but there are few stray waits
of talk about Carlisle's Committees
that will be of special interest just now
! tending to show what the outlook
indicates in way of legislation. That
great free trader, . Tom" Ochiltree, OF
Texas, often amuses me with his terse
aud original opinions of public matters
as we frequently meet at Willard's
over the festive board, and, given q
half bottle of cognac, he becomes the
most expert talker and thinker in
Washington. I asked him the other
day what he thought of the Ways and
Means Committee. His reply sum
marizes about the actual truth of this
important body of men. Said he:
| HfFha ere il too much presidential tim