Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-12
lanes G. BLAINE.
The Country Editor, The Statesman and
Our Next President.

The Country Editor, The Statesman and
Our Next President.
MI Blame was born at Indian Hill
iarln, Washington county, Penusylva-
hia, Jan. 81, 1890. His great grand
iatlier, Col. Ephram Blaine, was
friend of Washington, and had charge
of the commissariat of the Revolu-
iionary forces during the terrible win
ter which they passed at Valley Forge.
AT the age Of IL, Blaine was sent to
school in Lancaster. Ohio. where he
lived in the family of his relative. Hon.
Thomas Ewing, then secretary of the
treasury. One year later he entered
Washington college, where he gradu-
atcd at the head of large class in
1877. In 1850 he went TO Kentucky
as teacher in the military academy
at Blue Lick Springs Here he
met Miss Stanwood, Massa-
chusetts girl, who subsequently became
his wife. In the course of year or
two Blaine made up his mind that
teaching school wasn't his forte, and
he went back 10 PENNSYLVANIA. He
then studied law, but never practiced
ii. In 1858 he removed to Maine and
there began his public career. With
aid from his wife,s relatives he became
the editor of the kennebec Journal.
and IN the course of few months he
moved to Portland, where lie edited
the 3dreytiSer His position and
family connections soon brough. him
into prominence politically. In 1858
he was elected to the Maine legislature.
lie was five times reelected, and in |
1861 and 1862 was chosen speaker of |
the house, in which position he ex-
hibited the same excellent qualities
afterward displayed as speaker of the |
national house of representatives.
In 1862 Mr.. Blaine was elected TO
congress. During his first term he |
gave himself up TO study and obserya-
ton, but in the next congress, the
thirty-ninth, lac gained some promi-
nence. and from that time to the end
OF his career he occupied a foremost
place among the republican leaders.
1T was about this time that Blaine ran
atOul of Roscoe Conkling and alluded
TO him in debate rs turkey cock. an
epithet 50 apt that Conkling never
forgavc it. Daring the period of
southern reconstruction Blaine made
many speeches that attracted much
and spread his fame as an
orator. In the forty-Grst. forty-sec-
ond and torty-third congresses he was
elected speaker of the house. In this
capacity he showed a ready knowl-
edge Of parliamentary usage and a
fairness and unpartiality in his rulings
that won him general praise from both
parties.
When the country began to look
around for man 20 succeed Grant in
the White House it was impossible TO
overlook Blaine His prominence in
the house, the popular applause that
his bold, aggressive, and brilliant ca
reer As a leader had secured at once .
him as one of the most avail
able candidates. For year or two
previous to the Cincinnati convention
Of 1876. everything favored Blaine in
his efforts TO push himself for the NOM
nation. For the first time since the ,
war the democrats had possession of ,
Lhe house of representative. This I
vas Blaine's opportunity. He thrust |
himself forward as a plumed knight ,
battling for the rights of the ROYAL /
north against the designing and evil $
minded rebels from the south. The ,
democrats grew furious, and said and I
I'D many foolish things. Everything 3
erved Blaine. One of the principal S
Incidents of the session was his set-to
With Ben Hill, Of Georgia. Provision I
lad been made in the pension bill for c
II veterans of the Mexican war. This e
would have included JEFF Davis. On 5
i'm the Maine orator unbottled his
wrath, goading Hill into a
TASTY and ill-coDsidered reply that con-
aimed many things unpleasiDg TO Il
orthern ears. r.
The Sunday before the Republican n
National convention was to meet at |,
,incinnati Blaine started for church at n
Washington in company with Miss a
lodge, a relative. The day was IN n
ensely warm. just as they reached /,
he door Blaine fell to the ground as n
dead. \ large crowd collected n,
round him. a carriage was called Il
nd lac was carried home in an appar- II
ntIy unconscious condition. |,
Blaine's illness told against him in @,
nc convention. for il gave his enemies :,
lere a chance to urge that he was a
man and that it wouldn't
0 tonominate him. At one time il
,emed as if he were certain to be
Dminated. But the influence of his pl
lcient enemy, Conkiing, was at in
ork, and the convention finally drop al
ii him and nominated Hayes. al
In June, 1876, Blaine was appointed ii
fill the seat in the senate vacated by rs
Of NJ Morrill,, who had been made u
,cretary of the treasury, and in Janu- Ia
v, 1877. he was elected for the full OF
rln ending March 4, 1858. IN
The history Of the struggle in the W
hieago convention of thar year need Ia
II be reiold here il is too well re- al
embered. The cold guard remain III
stcadfast to Grant, nobody would
inforce the insufficient Blaine dele
ties, and the prize went TO dark
,rse-Garfeld y,
--
WHAT aC NAG n0NG