St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-05
ARTHUR AND BLAINE.
The Charge that he was Lukewarm
Toward Blaine Denied.
A Short History Of the Republican Canvass in
New York State.
Especial Telegram to the Globe. I


NEW YORK, Jan. 4.--I'he Sun says: when
B. F. Jones said in a recent interview that Pres
ident Arthur was lukewarm toward Blaine dur
ing the presidential campaign, he invited hur-
ricane abont his ears, and unwittingly dragged
into light chapter of political history not at all
| likely to distinguish him as political manager.
Buried in the hearts and memories Of the Re-
; publican state committee was portion of the
record of the late memorable campaign, and
buried it would have been but for Jones'
| indi-creet and veXatious misstatement. 1t Is an
amazing fact tha the most onspicuous members
of the Republican national committee hoped and
tried to elect Mr. Blaine without the help of the
state of New York. They considered New York
doubtful, and believed it would be extremely
difficult to carry it. Directly after the organiza-
tion of the state committee the first matter
brought forward was that of arranging to raise
money with which to conduct the canvass. 1t
was found that the national committee had sent
its request for contributions to every federal en-
ploye in this state, or from this state. No
national committee ever pursued this
Course before. In the past the
state committee had always depended upon these
contributions. The members were staggered.
I hey did not know what to do. They could not
=
from the Gilsey house to the national headquar-
ters at No. 242 Fifth avenue, and consult with
Steve Elkins. The state managers were told by
Steve Ekins that as the request for money had
gone forth it might be well to adjust the matter
by letting New Workers contribute to the national
committee, and that committee would keep an
| account and report to the state committee and
pay the money as it accumulated. This was
IN tha Naw n
ayers. On three separate occasions after that
the impatient and impoverished members OF the
state committee repeated the request that the
national committee keep its agreement. Each
time in formal written communication. To
| these no answers were ever received The ma
tional committee did not even so much as reply,
| ''we have received your communication and are
unable TO comply with You- request" The
| federal employees were asked TO help the state
managers, but they would not. The managers
of the national committee continued to send out
circulars requesting contributions from New York
| employees of the government. 1t is thought the
national committee raised $4,000 that should
have gone to the state committee. The national
committee sent q very large sum TO Maine, and
more than three times as much TO Ohio as TO
Maine. The state committee could not get men
of national fame TO speak in the state. The ma
| tional committee controlled these men and was
sending them into Ohio, New Jersey, Connecti-
cut and, in fact, everywhere else except to New
York, and paying their expenses. Then the ma
tional committee told the state managers that
they must defray their own expenses,
and also pay their speakers for their
services. This led to further correspondence,
which the national committee would not
| answer. The singular GOODNESS Of the great pill
lars of the party In Maine seemed significant, and
does yet. Senator Frye was assigned to New
| York state for four lights. Frye was exceed
ngly we'll advertised, but two days before his first
date word came that he must break the engage
ment. So also with other speakers who were
wanted. None OF them could be had The state
committee arranged Blaines trip here without
the intervention of Jones, Elkins & Co., with
Mr.. Blane's consent, and he afterwards
! communicated with the committee regarding
the return trip II was while he was on the
| westward trip that he used, in speaking to
! a reporter, this now significant expression: I:
! 'Some Of my friends are trying to prove that
can be elected without the state OF New York,
but cannot see it, President Arthur aided in
getting contributions for Mr. Blaines success.
Especially he OF assistance to the state com
| mittee. Elkns knew that he was far from be-
| Ing lukewarm. and acknowledged the fact before
and after the election. Mr.. Jones may now de-
clare that he did want the votes OF New York
State, but if he does the state committee may re-
tort that he did not want them until he found
that he could not get them, and then he wanted
them very badly.