The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-24
The BlaineS at the Crib.

An examination of the Blue Book
throws some additional light on the list
of Mr.. Blaine's relations whom he has
tethered TO the public crib. During the
year 1880, \ part of which saw Mr..
Blaine at the head of the State Depart
ment, Mr.. Blaine, his son, his brothers,
his nephews. and his cousins drew from
the United States Treasury within q
fraction of $4,000. That was not bad
for one year. Most of the appoint
ments of Mr.. Blaine's relations date
back to 1876, but some of them go back
to 1871. His brother, Robert e. Blaine,
had in that year an appointment at the
capital which was worth 81, 100. Sub
sequently the pay was increased, but
lately he has been glad to get place
at 8, 400. But he has drawn a salary
from the United States continuously for
thirteen years. The appointment of
Major Blaine in the pay corps OF the
army was effected by trade with Gen.
Grant 1t was about the time when
Colonel on Sheridan's staff. The
Army Ring was in full blast, and
among other jobs was the in
crease of the pay corps without any
corresponding increase in the army.
Blaine lent his aid to the scheme on
condition of putting his brother in with
the rank of Major. The result is that
the pay corps is the most tOp-heavy
b anch of the service. There are forty
eight paymasters for an army of twenty
five thousand men, to say nothing of the
large force of paymasters' clerks, more
than thirty being employed in the Pay
master-G Generals Office in Washington
alone. Taking the thirty thousand dol.
lars Of 1880 as a starting point. it is a
moderate estimate that the Blaine FAM
lily has cost the people twenty thousand
dollars every year since 1876.
One of the most laughable things that
occurred during MIR. Blaine's last days
in the Senate was q terrific Sortie he
made on the Democrats, lunging down
the aisle straight for Judge Thurman
chair, where he stood facing the great
Ohioan, and shaking his fist in Thur
man 5 face as he dramatically arraigned
him and his methods to which Judge
Thurman merely responded
.tSit down, sir, sit down. Mr.. PreSi-
dent, let's proceed to business"
The Senate roared with merriment,
and Mr.. Blaine himself joined in. He
afterwards described his feelings as
those of whipped schoolboy.
There is one phase of Mr.. Blaine's
ambition which has singularly escaped
notice. 1t is craving for social dis
tinction. While he had long struggle
and hard one to get into Garfield s
Cabinet, yet nothing like his DONNA
ton over Garfield was ever known. His
influence extended to the smallest par
ticulars; he regulated the etiquette at
the White House as much as he did the
conduct of the State Department. Mrs.
Blaine had Mrs. Garfield under her
thamb as completely as Mr.. Blaine had
the President. Mr.. West, the British
Minister, had just been accredited to
this country. He brought with him his
eldest daughter to preside at the British
legation. his wife being dead. He had
married, while stationed Mt Madrid, a
Spanish lady who had been an actress.
His family in England had been much
incensed on account of the marriage,
and had never noticed the wife; but
after her death, when the daughter was
sent to England to be educated, they
recognized the daughter. Something
about the Spanish actress story had
preceded Miss Vests arrival here, and
Washington was electrified by the news
that the Blaines were afraid the British
Minister'S daughter wasn't quite good
enough for them. and they would de-
cline to recognize her. Mr.. Blaine's
most judicious friends went to him and
urged that he would be going too far in
this. and might make serious trouble
for himself 1t was discovered, how
ever, by some lucky Blaineite, that Miss
West had been received by Queen Vic
toria. This argument at once pre-
vailed, and the Blaines concluded not
to ostracIze Miss West. Washington
Cor. ~ Y. Sun.