The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-06-25
S SEzE8 H Il as2SssREH PRICE THREE CENTS.
Blaine's College Days.
One of His Mates Tells the story of His
Life ut Washington College.

The Evening Leader of Bloomington, ILL.,,
publishes long interview with Judge Robert
e. Williams, prominent lawyer of Illinois,
and an old chum of Blaine at Washington
College blaine was called" said Mr.. Will
hams, "big-heartsd, whole-souled Jim Blaine,
by his schoolfellows He was strong, and fond
OF outdoor sports, yet in a certain sense loved
seclusion and his books best Of all. He was
regarded by his college mates as a brilliant and
progressive scholar. He was an aggressive
fellow, whenever there was anything to be
accomplished which in his mind would he pro.
ductve of good results. From his earlier
college days he seemed to have only one ambi-
ton, and that was to make his mark as a
journalist. He was an industrious writer;
wrote, perhaps, during the college course, q
greater number and greater variety OF essays
and other articles than any other member Of
MS class He used to remark that school
teacher or an editor could accomplish more
good in the world than any one else, and he
thought after leaving college that he would
surely enter the journalistic walks of life.
II left Washington College in 1885, and one
day, think iG was in 1S47, while walking in
the streets OF Lexington, KY, 1 ran across
Jim Blaine lie was at that time teaching
school st Georgetown, KY, and had come with
thousands of others to hear Henry Clay deliver
his memorable speech in that city on dry
5NONo IVA We ctb uOWn anu Odu u long Ldlkg
and he gave me in brief manner his future
plans. He was married, or was about to marry
a Maine girl, and they were going, after mar
rage, from Georgetown TO Philadelphia,
where position had been offered him in some
educational institute. lost track of Blaine
after that until l heard that he was publish
ing newspaper in the city of Portland, Me.
His political history, which is so well known,
is an evidence of his ambition. Blaine would
shine with the same brilliancy il he had pur-
sued the journalistic profession as he has In
the political field. | have in my possession
some of his schoolboy writings, and think
they are worthy of publication in the best Of
newspapers and magazines.
II remember the last time l met Mr.. Blaine
1t was in 1S48, when Henry Clay made his
great speech at Lexington, Ky. Thirty years
passed away, and 1 did not meet him again
until 1878, when he was engaged in making
speeches in the West. ] met him in Chicago,
and after looking at me for few moments, he
took off my hat, remarking, I can never for
get that voice. 1t is Bobby Williams, my old
college chum.'"
Williams is staunch Democrat and ran for
Attorney General Of Illinois on the Demo-
cratic ticket, few years ago. He is of the
opinion that the nomination of Blaine is q
strong one, and at the same ii ne regards the
Republican nominee as one OF the ablest OF
American citizens. In his schoolboy days he
was always the soul of honor. Dishonesty and
cowardice in the path of right he never ex-
hibited. 1t was Blaine for the right then, and
1t is the same Blaine now.