The Portland daily press., 1884-01-12
Blair and jackson.
ben: Perley Poore's Recollectio,

lSon. CiAcJ IOOI6S h6cOllecIlO0SIs
The Washington Globe was model DO
litical organ, and 1t had the name of every
Federal office holder whose salary exceeded
$1,000 en- its subscription list. The paper
was sent them, and in due time the bill for
year. If remittance was made, we'll and
good; if payment was refused the delin-
quent was told informally that he could paw
his subscription 10 the Globe or be replaced
by some one else who would pay it. 1t was
owned and edited by Blair and Rives, Rives
attending to the business department of the
establishment. Mr.. Blair had been the
partner of Amos Kendall in the publication
of the Frankfort Argus, and they had both
deserted Henry Clay when they enlisted in
the movement which gave the electoral vote
of Kentucky to Gen. Jackson, and Joined in
the cry of "bargain and corruption raised
against their former friend. 1t is related
that the first interview between CLAW and.
Blair, after this desertion WAS very awk-
ward one for the latter, who felt that he had
behaved shabbiy. Clay had ridden over on
horseback from Lexington to Frankfort. in
the winter season, on legal business, and on
alighting from his horse at the tavern door
found himself confronting Blair, who was
just leaving the house. "How do YOU do.
Mr.. Blair?' inquired the great commoner.
in his silvery tones and blandest manner. at
the same time extending his hand. Blair
mechanically took the rendered hand. but
was evidently nonplussed, and at length
said, with an evident effort, "Pretty well. /
thank you, sir. How did you find the roads
from Lexington here?' ssThe roads are
had Mr pioip
Clay. every bad; and I wish, sir, that YOU
would mend your ways"
Mr.. Blair made it rule to defend in the
columns of the Globe the acts of Jackson's
Administration, right or wrong, and he
waged merciless warfare against those who
opposed them. When Col. William r. King
OF Alabama. once begged him to soften an
attack upon an erriDg Democrat, Mr.. Blair
replied, mo! Let it tear his heart OUT,
With all his political insolence, however. he
possessed remarkable kindness of heart.
and more indnlgent father was never
Known in Washington. Personally Mr..
Blair vas very ugly and Gen. Glascock, of
We Jrgia, used to tell how wager was once
made between some Georgans and Ken
lucklans OF an oyster supper for thirty. to
De paid for by the citizens of that State
wnlch tailed to produce the ugiest man.
Inc evening came, the company assembled.
and Georgia presented fellow not natural
" very ugly. but who had the knack of won
derfu'ly distorting his features. Kentucky
was in despair, for their man (who had been
cooped up for week., was SO hopelessly
drunk that he could not stand. At the last
moment happy thought occurred to Ken
tncky Representative named Albert G.
Ha~es. Ordering hack he drove to the
Globe office, and soon returned with Mr..
Blair as all invited guest, saving as they
entered the room, "Gen'lemen, this is Mr..
Blair, the editor of the Globe, and if he Will
only look as nature has made him, Ken
lucky wins" The Georgians at once ex-
pressed their willingness TO pay for the
supper.