The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-16
BLAINE ON ooNKLING.
The Magnetic Man Accuses the New
Yorker of Defeating Him.

The Magnetic Man Accuses the New
Yorker of Defeating Him.
ALBANY, NJ Y, December 8-The
Press and K ,ickerbocker publishes the
following "The coldness." Mr. Blaine
said. "between Mr.. Conkling and myself
is Of long standing, dating back to the
time We both we're in the House of Rep
resentatives. He has opposed my po.
litical advancement ever since that time,
or course retaliated, but more in de
fensive way than other wise, until Mr.
Conkling assumed an antagonistic posi-.
ton towsrd the late President Garfield
when l took the offensive and opposed
Mr.. C1nkling's return to the Senate AZ.
ter he resigned his seat therein. 1t is 9
mistake to say that Mr. Garfield oppos
ed Mr. Copkling's return. He was en-.
tirely careless concerning the natter
He said he cared nothing for any an
noyance the gentleman might attempt
against the Administration. The fac
il, Mr.. Garfield intended that bis Ad.
ministration should be such as to meri,
the approval OF the country, and he did
not believe that Conkling or any other
one man could successfully oppose it.
Bat could not bring myself to loob
upon the mstter in that light, and
brought to bear what Opposition could
to Mr. .Conkline's return to the Senate
As he had opposed my political advance
ment, l had perfect right to retaliare
in kind. He was defeated. and thus
matters stood until the. approach OF the
National Convention, when l was put In
the field for the nomination by nv
friends. l had doubts as to the propri.
ETY. OF my taking the position with &c
powerful an opponent At large. But
was assured Mr.. Conkling bad turned
his back on politics; that he had taken
no part the canvass for either nomi
nation or election In addition to this
I was visited by committees and written
to from all sections Of tue country urg
Ing me TO consent to the use of my
name before the convention. / had ia
ken pains 10 learn Mr. Conkling's feel
'ings. At first he was reticent, saying
be was out OF politics. Lister he said
he hoped the convention would nomin.
ate good name. This was interpreted
to me that he preferred me to Arthur
l felt some relief. I was nominated
The October result in Oiio elected us.
l desired 10 visit N.w York. The an.
nouncement vas then made that II did
so Mr.. Conkling would stump against
me. II would stay out Of New York
he would make no speeches. He said
he would submit the question to the peo.
pie without argument, but if ! wanted
to argue he would meet me. decided
by the decision OF my friends not to
bring any issue of this kind in the ma.
ture Of personal quarrel This con
tented Mr. Conkling, and ne remained
out of politics. This question went to
the Republicans. of New York, as Mr.
Conkling wanted it to go, and he won
He has had his revenge. I don't say
kept him out Of the Senate, but l did all
could and he has prevented nv elec.
ton to the presidency. Oily Mr.. Conk
ling could have given NV York State
to me. and he would not. Perhaps
could have returned him to the senate
bat would not. But he has beaten me
three times to my once bea.ing him :.
He prevented nv nomination in 1876
and 1880, and defeated me in 1884,"
Mr.. Blaine showed NO feeling during
this statement.