Daily Republican., 1884-06-30
THIRD EDITION
Mr.. Blalne's Life.

AUGUSTA June 29.--J. A. Homan
lis one Of the leading and most iniuen-
tial citizens in this city, and
was formerly editor and proprietor OF
The Maine Farmer. He lives in the next
house to Mr.. Blaine's. Their families
are intimate and havs always been 30.
To-day Mr.. Holman said :
My first acquaintance with Mr..
Blaine was in we fall of 1858. He was
then young, tall and slightly built. He
had recently moved with his wife, into
this State, and was then engaged in no
particular business. My memory of
him ID that he was remarkably keen
and comprehensive in his knowledge OF
public men.
He had some excellent opportuni-
ties of becoming acquainted with the
pub lie men OF the Southern and Middle
States. 1t was charac Veristic of Mr..
Blaine, always from my earliest knOwl-
edge of him, that he was remarkable
for his aptitude in weighing and mea-
surfing men. His knowledge of the his
tory of the country, particularly Its
political history, was astonishing in q
man of his years and opportunities.
following year became connected with
the Kennebec Journal, rs one Of its
proprietofs and editors,
"From the first NUN Der it was evident
that a strong hand held the editorial
pen. He was sharp i'll his criticisms Of
the men and policy OF the Democratic
party. The paper was then a Wing
paper. He had been born and educated
in the Wing faith, and was strong
partisan. During his connection with
the Journal, he showed a remarkable
ability in carrying on an aggressive
warfare against the principles and
policy of the Democratic party.
''He became popular among the young
men OF the Wing party. He was noted
for his ease and readiness in cOnversa-
ton and showed thorough knowledge
of the subjects on which he wrote IN his
paper. He soon became an influential
man in his party and in the State. IN
1856 Mr.. Blaine was delegate to the
first National Republican Convention
held in Philadeiphia-which noni.
mated John G. Fremont for the Presi
dency. He was made one of the secre-
taries OF the convention.
He was elected to the Legislature
in 1858, and was reelected tor three
successive terms afterward, in two OF
which be was Speaker of the House.
Never in the history of the Maine Legis-
lature, so far as | remember ii, and my
acquaintance with it extends over a
period of tOrty-seven years, was there
so much talent in both parties as was
displayed at that time. 1t was on the
eve of the war, and the great questions
which divided the Republican and
Democratic parties were discussed upon
the floor of the House. In those dis
cussions Mr.. Blaine stood pre-eminent
When the war broke out he was one Of
the most active i'll lHa State to support
the Government and u arouse public
sentiment in its support.
AS man, neigh Dor and friend
he is of cost generous nature, and ne
appeal was ever made to him on be-
half Of any benevolent cause to viii Oh
he did not cheertully aud readily re-
spond to the extent of his ability. Al
an instance of his quiet and unosten.
tatiOus manner Of bestowing charity
will mention an incident that occurred
some ii me ago. A relative Of Mrs
Blaine was left a widow with nine
childr EN- and with little means Of sup
port A lmost the entire property con
sisted OF a dwelling house, on which
there was mortgage OF $500. MI
Blaine paid the mortgage and sent hel
the Cancelled document anonymously
and it was years after that she learned
who the kind friend was who hat
enabled her to retain possession Of hel
home.