The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-26

The Washington correspondent of the New
York Herald lately sent to that paper report
of an interview with Congressman Charles A.
Boutelle of Bangor, in which, after some talk
on the subject of district representation, ar.
B0utelle said:
"There has been absolutely no attempt to arrange
a delegation or to organize any boom in Maine for
any candidate Everybody knows that the Rspub-
icans OF Maine rst last and always in favor Of
James G. Blaine's election to the great office for
which they deem him pre-emioently qualified, and
for which he has at all times during the past ten
years been uDquestionably the first choice Of the
Republican constituencies Of the United States
Mr. Blaine, however, is not understood to be In the
field or to be disposed to enter the canvass in any
sense a can,ii late for the nomin ttion. He has
been entirely absorbed in his literary work, and
beyond the interest which all good citsens feel in
the political affairs of the country, Mr.. Blaine has
paid NO personal attention to % itics during tho
past year. know that he has declined to converse
with his most intimate friends about the use or his
name as a Presiden ial candidate and that he has
expressed to friends 10 Maine entire disnclina-
tion to ne consultet or to Interfere or influence in
any way the choice Of the Maine delegates to the
Chicago Conve tion-
MAINE REPUBLICAN INTENTIONS.
Under these circumstances, the attitude Of the
Maine Republicans Is one OF alert interest in the
doub euly nd to Chicago delegation that will Be
sol for Mr.. Blains if there is possibility Of his
s%RtsFipg % Ne hela tRe ahH caa3t Is idSss sT6ls
tc the remarkable and indisputa6ly spontaneous
manifestations IN State after state that form
the Republican column of 1884; that test tho do
sire the people thai Mr. Blaine shall be m ade the
standard bearer In view of bis practic i retire
msnt, the expressions of determined preference for
him. which are daily iLcreasb In Pennsylvania,
New York, Ohio, Indiana, thr ughout the North
Wes and on the Pacific coast calculated sur
prise, well as gIatify his wrmesa friends, and
they come in such a manner that even his oppo-
ute .r the str, ng hold of the man Of Maine upon
the hearts Of tue people,"
ESTIMATE OF OTHER CANDIDATES.
''what is thought of the Republican candidates
'As t. the other eminent Republicans whose
names iav been mentioned in connection with the
Presidency, no specially marked pre- ereRees % have
are of the sturdest type, and the nomination OF
auy of the trusted leaders of the party viii COM
mand the hearty support which they have given
evers candidate from Lincoln to GAIT Id. Tho
lanes of Logan, Senator and General Sherman,
Senators HArrisOn and Allison Secretary Lincoln.
General Gresham and o hers are held In high
esteem by tho Rep pibcaus Of Name, who also have
great respect tor the abil of Senator EdmuDds,
sd to defeat New Enaland candidate at Chicago
in 1880 would very heavily handicap him among
the friends of that candidate wbo will he numerous
and powerful in the convention this year."
KINDLY FEELING TOWARD AR HuR.
sHow does President Arthur stand among the
Republicans of MaiDe?"
s.The admiuistration of President Arthur has
conquered Inany prejudices; and the people of
Maine are inclined to feel very kindly toward him.
Considering the psinluly usfsyorabe auspices un-
der which he assumed the office OF resident, s
felt that while features OF his policy have been
rly open to cri icism he has on the whole. done
remarkably well in alayiug distrust, sottening
perities harmonizug the elements Of his party aud
establishing confidence in his purp to conduct
our National affairs in dgnifed and creditabls
manner"
SUCCESS CERTAIN.
"Of course you have no doubt as to the result Of
the November eleotlon?"
"The nominee Of the Republican party will be the
next Pres,d of the United STATES. The party
will enter the contest united than IL has been
for years. ana all of its great leaders will be as tho
| front. Whatever may be the outcome at Chicago
Mr. Blaine will lend his active personal aid in the
canvass IN Maine, and the later elections his In
spirpg presence will be felt and his eoeuent voice
win be heard in behalf Of the Republican cause in
other States"