The Portland daily press., 1884-07-02

MIR. blaine AT HOME.
An Interesting Story Told by his Next
Neighb0r.

augusta Correspondence of the N. Y. Tribune)
j. A. Holman is one of the leading and most inhu-
ential citizens in this city, and formerly editor
and proprietor of the Maine Farmer. He lives in
the next house to Mr.. Blaine's. Their families are
intimate and have always been so. Today Mr.. Ho-
man sail:
"My first acquaintance with MIR. Blaine was in
the 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 is that he
was remarkably keen and comprehensive in his
knowledge of public men. He had had some excel
lent opportunities of becoming acquainted with the
public men of the Southern and Middle States 1t
was a characteristic of Mr.. Blaine always from my
earliest knowledge of him. that sheIwas remarkable
for his aptitude in weighing and measuring men.
his knowledge of the history Of the country, par
ticularly its political history was astonishing in
man of his years and opportunities. He remained
in Augusta, and in the following year became con-
nected with the Kennebec journal, as one of its
proprIetors and editors. From the first number 1t
was evident that strong hand held the editorial
pen. He was sharp in 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
Wing faith, and was strong partisan. During his
connection with the Journal, he showed remarka-
bic ability in carrying on 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 conversation and showed a thorough
knowledge of the subjects 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 nrst National Republican Conven-
tion-held in Philadelphia-whch nominated John
G. Fremont for the Presidency. He was made one
of the secretaries of the convention.
HE was elected to the Legislature in 1888 and
was reelected for three successive terms afterward
in two Of which he was Speaker of the House.
Never in the history of the Maine Legislature so
far as remember it. and my acquaintance with it
extends over period of fortyseven years. was there
so much talent in both parties 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 discussions Mr.. Blaine stood
prseminent. When the war broke out he was one of
the most active in the State to support the Govern
ment and to arouse public sentiment in its support
"As man, neighbor and friend, he is of a
most generous nature and no appeal was ever made
to him on behalf of any benevolent cause to which
he did not cheerfuy and readily respond to the ex-
tent of his ability. AS an instance of his quiet and
transformations manner of bestowing charity will
mention an incident that occurred come time ago.
A relative of Mrs. Blaine was left widow with
nine children and with little means for their sup
port. Almost the entire property consisted of a
dwelling house on which there was a mortgage OF
$500. Mr.. Blaine paid the mortgage and sent her
the cancelled document anonymously, and it was
years after that she learned who the kind friend
was VIII Abu ShapAou HSI possession OF her
home.
ON TIE DAY OF THE NOMINATION..
"I was with him while the news from the ballot
ing came, and for some two hours before. He re-
lated incidents of his life many of them suggested
by the situation at that time; he seemed to be en-
tirely free from any care, trouble or anxiety. He
said to me one day, II am in a state of mind where
whatever happens, am content. 1 have been now
for several years out of public life and have gone
out of politics: have had every reasonable ambi-
ton gratifed in my life, and L can say now that
have no desire and no ambition for the Presi-
dency. nave been for the last two years engaged
IN another kind OF work, which has occupied my
time and my heart. have adjusted myself to the
work, and 1t has become so pleasant and agreea-
BILE that it would be wrench for me to break away
from it and go again into active political life If
the nomination comes to me, it will come unsought
determined from the first that | would take no
part whatever in the matter, and have steadily
refused my strongest and best trie. DIS any coop
GRAFTON or advice in regard the candidacy for the
Presidency. 81 was alone with Mr.. Blaine until
aeout fifteen minutes before the dispatches
calm and free from anxiety or concern
We were in the northwest parlor when the
dispatches telling the result of the first
ballot came. AS the vote of each State would come
in, he would make some comment on it, saving that
such vote was larger or smaller than he supposed
it would have been. l took the figures down as
they came in. kept tally of them, and when the
entire vote was received, before had added the
votes he said: i think Mr. Homan that Won will
find that Arthur will lead on this ballot l said:
No. you are mistaken He said Il have been
watching the figures, and l think Arthur will lead
ing the returns and found that he had 334 votes to
Arthur's 274. When told him the result he said:
That is just about what some of my friends told
me it would be. But thought it would fall off a
little While the second ballot was coming in he
said to me: You take down the figures. 1 am
going into the garden He went out with the
children and sat down in the hammock. kept at
work on the figures in the house little while, but
finally they began to come in SO slow that gave
up and went out, too. Then Margaret Blaine went
to the telephone and kept tally.
THE SCENE WHEN THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED
''After the third ballot the question of adjourn
ment came up, which to decide whether MIR.
Blaine would get the nomination or not for those
who we're opposed to him would vote to adjourn
and those who were in his favor would vote against
the adjournment. When they voted down the mo-
ton to adjourn we knew what the result would be-
Mrs. Blaine and the children, Miss Dodge Miss
Stanwood, Mrs and Miss Marley, Gen. Beal of Nor
way, Mr.. Alden Sprague of the Kennebec journal,
nouncement was made. We heard shout from
the house where Margaret at the telephone and
instantly she rushed out of the house and over the
bank to The hammock, where her father was sitting
and threw her arms around him. As soon as she
recovered BREATH she made the announcement that
her father was nominated, and, though we did not
get the figures until late in the evening that
sufficient.
Mr.. Blaine dsengaged himself from Margaret,
arose from the hammock, went over to his wife and
kissed her. People from all over the town
there in few minutes. The first to arrive were o.
d. Baker, E. r. Pierce and G. Hart, who drove up
in csrriage together
SAT the reception in the evening il was noticea-
BILE that large proportion of those who thronged
to the house were the laboriDg men of the town.
and most of them those with whom he was person
ally acquainted, and he is remarkable for knowing
those whom he has once met. After he becomes
his face