Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-07-17
BlAlNE'S TRIALS.
Harrassed by Reid, Phelps, Gail Hamilton
and Several more Old Women, who Insist
on Writing His Letters.

Harrassed by Reid, Phelps, Gail Hamilton,
and Several more Old Women, who Insist
on Writing His Letters.
AUGUSTA. Me-, July l6.-The day has
been dull one here, except to these OF us
who were behind the scenes. At Mr..
Blaine's house, the Advisory Board on the
letter of acceptance, consisting OF Stephen
b Elkins, Jacob W. Reid, Charles K. Smith,
William W. Phelps, and Gail Hamilton, has
been in session all the afternoon. Early In
the dav tried to see the Republican candi-
date for the Presidency, but my attempt was
an unsuccessful one, and had it not been for
the fact that Mr.. Elkins accustomed as he
is to the freedom of Vest Virgins Sun
day insisted on frequent violations OF the
Maine law, | might have been deprived oi
the important details which it is my duty to
write. Instead of turning me away as he
had done in the morning, Mr.. Blaine re-
ceived me with open arms to his hospitabLe
mansion. ard then winking slyly at Miss
Hamilton. he said, give the old boy some
thing warm to cool him off smiled and
the whole of the Advisory Board smiled
with me.
A Long Time Between.
I'VE began our conference in the library
of the church, Mr.. Blaine said to me in a
confidential tone, but Jake and Walt In
sisted that the walk to the sideboard took
up too much of their valuable time, and as
Steve insisted on being near the inspiration
we thought it best to pursue our labors
here"
Engaged on the letter Of acceptance, l
presume" l ventured TO remark.
Just so" Mr.. Blaine answered.
Smith, Reid and Phelps had seated them
selves round the dining room table, which
was thickly strewn with sheets Of
the proposed letter of acceptance. They
each took up pen, and while Mr. Blaine,
Mr.. Elkins and myself bent our energies
once more to the demolition of the Neal
Dow statute they covered the paper with
the occult signs of skillful penmanship.
They are irving to catch the Irish vote
Just now Mr. B. whispered You know
/ believe in the competitive system. II is
u case of the survival of the tittest Steve
is referee and will decide while only say
let the best man win.
observed that Mr. Smith wrote rapidly
with a pencil, that Mr.. Reid used dainty
gold pen. and that Mr.. Phelps seemed to
write with his tongue as we'll as the old
fashioned goose quill he held in his haud.
Smith finished his SCreed first and handed
to Elkins.
"A great nation like the United States,
said Mr.. T.. reading, must always have a
due regard 10 the resources of civilization,
and pledge myself if elected to encourage
their development and use to the utmost OF
nv power. ,
That will catch the dynamite boys" said
Smith.
Mr.. Reid then handed his delicate man
uscript to Elkins, while a proud smile Of
satisfaction lit up his intellectual fea-
lures.
While should deprecate conflict with
anv foreign power" Mr.. Z. continued read
ING jacob contribution, II am not forget
ful of the sympathy which is due to in
choate republics everywhere, and so far as
the power of a great people will euable me
shall seek to promote the cause OF Re
publican freedom throughout the world.
Phelps Knocked Out.
That will hit EN- all round" said Reid,
the Germans as we'll as the Irish.
Phelps was still writing but Elkins called
time.
Commercial development, hold" e.
kins read.
This WAS all Phelps had been able to write
in the allotted time
Smith and Reid both winner; Phelps
howled out, said Elkins as he turned over
the two pages to Miss Hamilton to be copied
on one sheet
Now get in the religion, boys, Mr.
Blaine said. whereupon Phelps smiled sar-
dcHically. as if to say he had the advantage
of the wicked editors at last. Fully half an
hour was spent in trying to get together
something that would satisfy all sects and
denominations: but It was finally deter
mined that as Mr. Blaine had no religion to
speak Of il was better to say nothing about
it. Elkins contended that it was necessary
to get in something that would make it
easy for Kelly but he was outvoted.
Johns summer philosophy requires
nothing of the kind, said Jacob.
BY the way" said Mr.. Blaine, isn't It
about time that Logan's letter was at
handg'
1T is pretty sure to need the blue pencil
said Reid.
And as a disciple of Lindley Murray it
NAV need nv kind Offices said Smith.
Its moral tone will probably need look
ing after" said Phelps.
Logan promised to hate it here this
afternoon" Elkins interposed. 'ln the
meantime let us take something, If it
should not come to hand in time for you
gentlemen of the press, Gail and | can hex
it into shape.
When [ left the Blaine mansion Miss
Hamilton had retired, Mr.. Elkins was under
the table. the historian was asleep, with his
head upon Twenty Years of Congress.
PHELPS WIS pale and i'll, Reid and Smith
were discussing the canonS OF Journalism IN
irarticulate addresses to each other.
The Independents.