The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-14
whoever is nominated will not only get his vote,
bur all the influence he can WELD. He is not a
~
Personal OPINION.

4
man of the Republican national COMMITTEES. WAS
| interviewed by Chroncle-Telegrah reporter.
this afternoon Mr.. Blaine's letter of declina-
| ticn Mr. Jones stated that Mr. Blaine in
the best of health, and it was not for this reason
| that he declined a denomination. His trip"
| said he, shas besn wonderfully beneficial have
| had many lettars from him. and in nearly all
/ Of them he has spoken of his health, and said he
| was entirely recovered No, sir; it is not i'll
| health the fear of the result or the worry
| and strain of another campaign which impeiled
| Mr. Blaine to write that letter.
'Will you tell me what Mr.. Blaine's reasons
arep
AS given to me the time to which Mr.
| Blaine refers, the reasons these: Before
| the nomination by the Republicans. in 1876. Mr..
| Blaine was very anxious to obtain the presi-
| dency, and worked for it with the aid of his
| friends He was disappointed when it went to
another man in the manner it did. In 1880, he
was still anxious, though in lesser degree. and
| his disappointment was less marked. In 1884
he had, TO great extent, lost the desire for the
| Office, and now ne withdraws from the contest
| because he has no wish to become President
| He takes keen interest In literary work, and
| wants rest and quiet. assure you these
the only reasons for Mr.. Blaines letter that
| known to ma. Every body, sooner or later,
| loses desire for something which they were
once anxious TO obtain. and this is entirely true
| in the case of Mr.. Blaine"
rs not Mr. Blaine's letter somewhat incon-
sistent with the action Of his friends. presuma-
bly, with his consent, in working for the control
| of the State delegations and committeesp
mo, sir, it is not inconsistent. No such
| work has been done by us. OF course have
received countless letters this subject from
people north, south. east and west Mr..
Blaines friends have not sought to set up or se-
| cure single delegate anywhere We have
made concerted action. There has been
| meeting to map out course favorable to Mr..
Blaine, and assure you that whatever has been
done by admirers of Mr.. Blaine has been done
on their own account and not az the instance of
his close friends We have done nothing to
cure the nomination for Mr. Blaine. When
people write to me on the subject send them,
in reply, the call of the convention. issued by
the committee and some extracts from the bis
| tory of the convention Of 1884 have written
no letters in Mr.. Baine's interest"
"Nas this letter laid before any sort of
meeting Of his friends. or Of the National som-
mittee7"
s.Is was not The letter was received by me
on Tuesday last, it having come directly from
Florence to me. 1t was entirely in Mr. Baine's
tsnss m os .b. gart
did not tell anybody of its existence until
Friday. Then l told one man, who assisted me
in preparing copies of tho letter for the press.
It was not given out on Saturday. because many
papers do not print Sunday editions and was
anxious to give it the widest publicity. I ar
ranged to have II go out by the Associated
Press. Even . man close to Mr. Blaine
Mr.. Stephen B. Elkps knew nothing of the ex-
istence of this letter until this M orning."
mir. Joseph d. Weeks, financial secretary of
the Republican national committee in comment
ing upon Mr. Blaines letter said: / think
Mr.. Blaine is perfectly sincere in what he says,
bur do not think his withdrawal will prevent
his nomination. or his acceptance of the nomin-
alton If thrust upon him. He owes too much to
be tariff vs. fre. trade, and as Mr. Blaine is the
stxrpeess exponent of the protect on system
| belose tho people. 1t would not surprise me to
see him nominated"
Views of Indianians at the Capital.
Special to the indianapolis JournaL
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.-The Republicans in
the Indiana delegation are. as q whole, inclined
to regard the withdrawal OF Mr.. Blaine as a
favorable Republican symptom, and are unau-
imous for General Harrison. To the Journal
correspondent, tonight, General Browne said:
81 anticipated letter Of declinaton from Mr.
Blaine. and am therefore not surprised. Public
men generally misinterpreted. and many
will say it is but bid for the nomination. but
in my opinion Blaine is in earnest and will stand
out of the race. This leaves an open field, and
now is Indianas opportunity. Let it but in
dorse Harrison with unanimity. and his nomina-
ton 10 assured"
Mr. Owen said: 1.-THE letter clearly takes Mr..
Blaine out of the race. There is no use to talk
about it Being diplomatic move, for he had
the nomination in his grasp Sentiment has
crystallized so rapidly in his favor for the past
sixty days that if the convention had been held
on last Saturday he would have been nominated
without serious opposition. Mr.. Blaine is out
of the race. AS usual, he creates a stir when
he moves. and the party will readjust itself and
nominate man who can unite it, and who will
be elected"
Mr.. Cheadls said: "The formal withdrawal of
Mr.. Blaine removes all for any further
factonal controversy within our party. and
ought to inspire Republican managers with ahigh
resolve to select q leader who readily secure
the united efforts of all Republicans in all
sections. To my mind, his withdrawal will re-
suit in the selection Of who has not been
heretofore prominently before the country as a
candidate find here that it is conceded that
our ticket should be selected with special refer
ence to Indiana New Iork, New Jersey and
Connecticut. These are the pivotal States. II
Indiana Republicans are not divided, they can
name the man.
Said Mr.. Johnston: s'It may not mean the
absolute withdrawal of the Piumed Knight. al-
though it looks that way. 1t has been suggested
that it may but be notice that the nomination.
If it is made. rest in its responsibility with
the party, and not with Mr.. Blaine. | am really |
lost to know what it docs mean. Blaine Is strong
In State. Indiana has opportunity |
to rally to her didate-General Harrison
General Hovey inclined to discredit the |
meaning OF the letter, and said he hoped twas |
not intended to take Mr. Blaine out of the l,ne |
of presidential possibilities. for / consider |
him." said the General. ito be the strongest man
IN the party, and am for the man that can win. |
l believe yet that his name is Blaine"
Major Steele and CAPTAIN White regard the |
letter - genuine and Mr. Blaine as out of ths |
race They, with General Browne Messrs. |
Owen and Cheadle, regard Indiana as an i'm |
portant factor in naming the candidate, and |
that she WELD potent power il she will but I
be unanimous and firm.
Col w Dudlev said thAra couId be no /
question about Mr. Blaine being out of the race. |
He not surprised at the letter, because he /
had expected it tor time. Mr.. Blaine |
really does not want the nomination, and his I
object in saying at this early day is to give |
his party an abundance of time to about
and select the srrongsst candidate. General |