New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-30
INCIDENTS IN MR.. BLAINES LIFE.
THE STORY TOLD BY HIS NEXT NEIGHBOR
HIS RELATION TO THE POLITICS OF MAINE-Hfs
MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE NoMINAT1oN.
my TEL rtpGRAPH To THE TRIBISE.I


MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE NOMINATION.
lBY TELEGRAPH THE TRBUSE.i
AUGUSTA, June 29.-J. A. Homan is one OF
the leading and most influential citizens in this city, and
formerly editor and proprietor of The Maine
Farmer. He lives in the next house to Mr. Bltine's.
Their families intimate and have always been To-
day Mr. Homan said:
"My first acquaintance with Mr. Blaine in the fall
of 1853. He then young, tall and slightly built He
had recently moved with his wife Rto this state, and was
then ngaged In particular business Ny memory of
him is that he remarkably keen and comprehensive
in his knowledge Of public He had had some ex-
ceent opportunities of becoming acquainted with the
public men of the Southern and Middle II
characteristic of Mr. Blaine always from my earliest
knowledge OF him, that he remarkable for his apt
tude In weighing and measuring men, His knowledge OF
the history of the country particularly its political his
tory, astonishing in OF his years and oppor
tuptes. He remained in Augusta, and In the following
year became connected with The Kennebec Journal,
of propretors and editors From the first number
1t evident that strong hand held the editorial pen.
he sharp in his criticisms OF the and policy of
the Democratic party. The paper then whig pa
per- He had been born and educated in the Whig aith
and a strong partisan. During his connection with
The Journal he showed 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 Whig party He
was noted for his and readiness
subjects which he wrote IN his paper He soon be-
influential in his party and In the State. In
1856 Mr. Blaine delegate to the first National Re
publican Convention-hed in Philadephia-which nomi
mated John c. Fremont for the Presidency. He was
made one of the secretaries Of the convention.
"He elected TO the Legislature in 1858 and
elected for three successive terms afterwsrd, in
two OF which he Speaker Of the
House. Never in the history Of the Maine
Legislature, far as remember iand my acquaintance
with extends period OF fortyseven years, was
there much talent In both parties displayed at
that time. 1t the CT the war, and the great
questions which divided the Republican and Democratic
parties discussed upon the floor OF the House.
In those discussions Mr. Blaine stood pre6minent.
When the broke out he of the active in
the State 10 support Government and pub
lie sentiment In its support.
"As man, neighbor and friend, he Is OF most
generous nature, and appeal made to him
behalf of any TO which he did not cheer
fully and readily respond to the extent OF his ability AS
instance of his quiet and unostentatous Of be-
slowing charity will mention incident that occurred
time ago A relative OF Mrs. Blaine left a
widow with nine children and with little means for
their support. Almost the entire property consisted OF
dwelling house which there was mortgage Of $500.
Mr. Blaine paid the mortgage and sent her the cancelled
document anonymously. and it years after that she
learned who the kind friend who had enabled her to
retain possession OF her home.
on THE DAY OF THE NOMINATION.
81 was with him while the from the balloting
came and for two hours before He related incl
dents of his life, OF them suggested by the situation
that time; he seemed 10 be entirely free from any
care, trouble anxiety. He said day i am
IN state of mind where whatever happens, l am
tent. have been for several years out of public
fe and have gone out OF politics. have had every
reasonable ambition gratifcd IN my life, and say
that desire and ambition ior the Presi
dency have the last two years engaged in
-l,fohh .1
my heart Ihave adjusted myself to the work, aud has
become pleasant and agreeable that 1t would be q
wrench for to break away from it and go again into
active political life If the nomination to me- 1t
will come unsought determined from the first that
would take part whatever in the matter, and have
steadily refused my strongest and best friends any
operation advice in regard the candidacy for th
Presidency, 81 alone with Mr.. Blaine
lstiI about fifteen minutes before the dispatches
came During that time lie perfectly calm and free
from an xiety We in the northwest par
when the dispatches telling the result OF the first
ballot As the vote of each state would come ill., he
would make some comment it, saying that such vote
was larger or smaller than he supposed It would have
been 1 took the figures down as they came |
in / kept tally of them, and when the en- |
tire vote was received, before 1 had added the |
votes he said: Il think, Mr.. Homan that You VIII find |
are mistaken. He sad Il have been watching the ng |
ures and think Arthur will lead slightly Just AZ that
he had 334 votes Arthurs 274. When told him the
result said: That is just about what some of my
friends told 1t would De. But thought 1t would fan
off little While the second ballot was |
coming in lie said to Inc: You take down the |
fl1res am gopg into The garden He went out with
the children and sat down i'll tie hammock. kept at
work on the figures ia the house little while but finally
they gan slow that gave i up and went
out too. Then Margaret Blaine went to the telephone
and kept tally.
THE SCENE WHEN TIE NEWS WAS RECEIVED.
"Afer the third ballot the question OF adjournment
came up which was to decide whether Mr. Blaine would
get tie nomination or not for those opposed
10 him would vote adjourn and those
who were in his favor would vote against the adjourn
ment When they voted down the motion TO adjourn
knew what the result wOuli be. Mrs Blaine and the
children Miss Dodge, Miss stanwOod, Mrs. and Miss
Manley General Bea Of Norway, Mr.. Alden 5prague OF
The KenneJee Journal, Mrs Hom.n and were with him
when the announeement made. We heard shout
house where Margare was at the telephone ana
Instantly rushed out OF TIE house the bank
10 the hammock whore her aher sitting ana threw
her arms around him As recovered DTealh,
She made the announcement that her father
nated and though we ala not get the hgrcs u late IN
evening Inat was suf1clent
MIR. Blaine dsengaged himself from Margaret arose
from the hammock, ~ his wife and Kissed her.
People from all over the town there In
few inmates. The frIt 70 arrive were o. ID.
Baker +. X. Pierce and G. Hart, who drove up
carriage together.
AT the reception in the evening noticeable that
large proportion Of those who thrOnged ~ the house
were the aborng OF the town. and most OF them
hose with whom he was personally acquainted, and he
remarkable for knowing those whom he has once met
After he becomes aOquip ed Win man ne never IoI-
nis nan