The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-06-07

country has ever known. He is 8 native
OF Pennsylvania, and was born in Wash
linRton county on January 81. 1880. being,
therefore, over 81 years of age. He re-
ceived common school education % 8
basis, but graduated at Washington col
lege in the same State. Shortly after bis
graduation he selected journalism IS ID
profession and went to Maine, in which
state he has resided ever since lie
edited the Portland Advertiser and the
Kennel &C Joa THaL ably and successfully.
and while still very young man was
elected to the Legislature where he served
f.om 1859 to 1862. being for the last two
years Speaker of the House. He was
then elected to the National House Of
Representatives where he served from
1864 to 1876, being twice elected TO the
speakership, succeeding Mr.. Colfax.
During the years thst Blaine was Speaker
he was probably the most popular
man in the Republican party. As 9
Speaker he never had slsuperior, aud his
control over the House 10 described as
being simply wonderful. An eloquent
tslker and thorough parliamentaIian,
familiar with almost every precedent
from the birth of Congress to the very
hour in which he spoke he was never at
loss to answer the most difficult ques-
ton, to solve the hardest problem or TO
disentsDgle the kaottiest network Of
procedure into which the House might
have drifted.
The Democracy coming into control of
the House he once more took his position
on the floor: During these years his
name had been prominent as ameng
those OF the probable Republican csndi-
dates Of the presidency. In 1S76-he hsv-
ing meantime been appointed to I'LL the
vacancy In the Senate caused by the ele-
vation of Lot n. Morrill, TO the Secre-
taryship Of the Treasury-he was nomi-
mated in the Cincinnati convention by
Robert G. Ingersoll, in speech which is
still remembered as being the most elo-
quent ever heard in 8 national CONVEX
ton. Roscoe Conkling was candidate in
the same convention, but the choice fell
upon Rutherford b. Hayes. Mr. Blaine
was elected to the Senate at the expira-
ton Of Mr.. Merrill's term and served
through the four ears following. In 1880
be was again candidate, he being con-
sieered the strongest opponent of Cen
eral Grant, but once more the choice fell
upon 9 man-JRmes A. GarGeld-whose
name had only been casually mentioned
for the place. It was understood that
Garfield had been nominated by Blaine's
friends at Blaine's suggestion, when he
feared that he could no! possibly secure
the nomin stion, and In return for this
Garfield made him Secretary of State,
Blaine resigned his seat in the Senate 10
take this elevated position. While Secres
tary OF State he insugurstad what is
known as "a vigorous foreign policy"
snd endeavored to pscify the South |
American republics, hoping thereby that |
Dur Intervention would lead 10 the build
ing up of profitable commercial relations
With these countries. Before his policy
had had time to make itself felt, Garfield |
vas stricken down, and for the brief in,
ervsl between the1President's death and
he changes which followed in President
Arthur's cabinet, Blame remained al.
most entirely inactive. Since then he
las devoted himself to private business
md to literary work. His book has oc.
upiec the greater part of his time.
Mr. Blaine has announced frequently
fat he was not candidate for the presi-t
Iency, and that he would not this time
move q finger to secure the nomiustjon.
Whether he has held firmly to that posi-
ion is u known, but his friends during
be past year have been more active than
yer. Blaine is strict partisan, and in
ne heated debates Of the reconstruction
cried he was one of the most violent Of
adicals. He has never grown luke
arm in his republicanism, although he
altered great disappointments at the
ands Of his party. He is man who il
} positive in his political views, and in
10 social views as well, that it ID said
him. "a i these who are not bis de.
oted friends are his bitterest enemies.n