Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-06-07

Hen. James G.. Blaine In Washin4t0n.
| In the many sketches of the private life
and public career Of the Hon. James G.
Blaine, which have from time to time appeared
in print, little more than brief mention has
been made of the estimation in which he 10
held by the people Of Washington. This
omission we propose to supply, in the inter-
est of current history, and it may be well
to add that our information is derived from q
looker-on in Washington for the past ten
years, . correspondent for democratic papers
and. who, Of course, was politically opposed
to Mr.. Blaine. Although Mr.. Blaine's home
is in Augusta, it must be remembered that
for nearly fourteen years he has resided for
at least half of each year in Washington, and
that his official duties as Representative,
Speaker of the House and Senator, have
brought him in contact with great many
people, lille his figure has become a familiar
one to the frequenters of the galleries of
Congress and the promenaders on Pennsyl-
vania avenue. To say that Mr.. Blaine en-
joys a greater personal popularity, to-day,
among all classes in Washington than any
one of his contemporaries is but the simple
truth. and will be disputed by none who are
at all familiar with the place and people. 1t
is fact which his bitterest enemies-for no
At no time during President Grants eight
years residence IN the White House as chief
magistrate of the nation, did he possess
tithe of the regard bestowed by employees of
the Government and others on Senator
Blaine, nor could his name or presence evoke
one half the enthusiasm spontaneously ac-
corded to our distinguished fellow citizen.
In making this statement we disclaim any in
tention of disparaging Gen. Grant; nor do
We propose to discuss the causes of popu-
lsrity, usually summed in the two words
personal magnetism"
The interest Washington felt in the ma
tional republican convention of four wears
ago was very great, and the defeat of Mr..
ment. Had he been nominated, Washington
would have seen day of jubilee which would
have been forever memorable in her history.
Ii was but natural that the choice of Mr..
HAYES, who was almost unknown to those
who thronged about the telegraph offices,
should have been quietly received. A de-
partment clerk, an Ohio man, too, who had
been in the habit of doing some vigorous
campaign work each year in his home neigh
borhood told friend of the writer, after the
Al L 4
but felt no special interest in the election
Had Blaine been nominated, he said, should
have taken of my coat and put 10 good deal
of solid work. These were the sentiments
of many, few of whom had any personal &C.
quaintance with Mr.. Blaine. but whose kno~l-
edge of him was derived from observation of
his Congressional career. 1t will be remem-
bered that Mr.. Blaine was confined to his
house by illness at the time the convention
was held, and when he had recovered sufii-
ciently to drive out he received popular
ovation which must have touched him deeply.
Wherever his carriage appeared hats were
raised and cheers rent the air.
To those who know him it is hardly neces-
shry 10 say tnAt Mr. bialne Is not a seeker
after popularity; that he does not court laud-
alton, or endeavor to conciliate everybody,
but maintains the even tenor of his way with
that degree of dignity We have q right to
expect in . public man He is uniformly
courteous to all. Companions are odious."
says Dogherry, but it may be said that Sena.
tor Blaine is alike devoid of the insufferable
self conceit and studied insolence which mark
the bearing of Senator Conkling, and of the
demagogical arts by which many of his col
leagues attempt to gain the popularity which
is so freely bestowed on him.
There are no men better qualified TO Judge
Of the character and abilities of our Congress-
men than the Washington correspondents of
the great dailies. who are for the mos, part
picked men, Their duty is not as some
erroneously suppose, to report the proceed
inss Of Congress, but TO follow and comment
on them. to study the manners and methods
of nuP la~.mnkara and n, s3,><r,.. v~.-