The Lake Charles echo., 1884-12-20
ROseaOE's REVENGE.
History by MIR. blaine.

ALBANY, N. 4, Dec. IA wash
ington special to the Press and Rnick.
er6ocker relates an interview with Mr..
Blaine by Agent Leman, who holds a
high position at the Capital, a staunch
Republican and warm admirer Of the
defeated candidate. Mr.. Blaine con-
fcssed frankly that his defeat was Mr..
Conkling's victory, and gave the fol-
lowing narrative:
"The coldness," Mr.. Blaine said,
"between Mr.. Conkling and myself is
of long standing, dating back to the
time We both were.in the House of
Representatives. He has opposed my
political advancement ever since that
time. OF course | retaiated, but
more in defensive way than other
wise, until Mr.. Conkling assumed an
antagonistic position toward the late
President Garfield, when | took the
offensive and opposed Mr.. Conkling's
return to the Senate after he had re-
signed his seat therein. 1t is a mis-
take to say that Mr.. Garfield opposed
Mr.. Conkling's return. He was en-
tirely careless concerning the matter.
He said he cared nothing for any an
noyance the gentleman might attempt
against the administration. The fact
is, Mr.. Garfield intended that his ad-
ministration should be such as to
merit the approval of the country, and
he did not believe that Conkling or
any other one man could successfully
oppose it. But could not bring my
self to look upon the matter in that
light, and brought to bear what OPP
position | could to Mr.. Conkling's
return TO the Senate. As he had OPP
posed my political advancement, had
perfect right to rctaiate in kind. He
was defeated, and thus matters stood
until the approach of the National
Convention, when was put in the
field for the nomination by my friends.
| had doubts as to the propriety of
my taking the position with so power
full an opponent at large. But WINS
assured Mr., Conkling had turned his
back upon politics; that he had taken
no part in the canvass for either the
nomination or election, In addition
to this | was visited by committees
and written TO from all sections of
the country urging me to consent to
the use of my name before the con
yention. | finally yielded, ! had
taken pains to learn Mr.. Conkling's
feeling. At first he was reticent, say
ing he was ont of politics, Later he
said be hoped the convention would
nominate a good man This was in
terpreted to me that he preferred me
to Arthur. | felt some relief, was
nominated. The October result in
Ohio elated us. | desired TO visit
New York. The announcement was
then made that If did so Mr., Conk-
ling would stump against me. If |
would stay out of New York he would
make no speeches, He said he would
submit the question TO the people
without argument, but II ] wanted to
argue he would meet me, ! abided
BY the decision OF my friends not to
bring any Issue in Of this kind IN the
nature Of personal quarrel. This
conLented Mr.. Conkling, and ho re-
mained out of politics, This question
went TO tho Republicans Of New York,
as Mr.. Conkling wanted il to go, and
he won. He has had his revenge,
don't say ! kept him ont Of the Sen
nate, but ! did all could, and he has
prevented my election TO the Presl-
dency. Only Mr.. Gonkling could have
given New York State 10 me, and he
would not, Perhaps | could have 70
turned him TO tile Senate, but would
not. But he has beaten me three times
to my once bealing him lie pre-,
vented my nomination IN 1916 and
1880, and defeated me in 1884,
Nj. Blaine showed no feeling during
this statement,