The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-02-14
. The EFFECT.
MIR. BLAINE'S LETTER OF
WITHDRAWAL HAS HAD
On Many Leaders and Some Of the
Newspapers.
The General Impression That He
Will be Nominated,
Notwithstanding His Refusal Of
the Use Of His Name.
Interview With Chairman Jones,
Of the National Committee.
Mr. Sherman Announces His Own
Candidacy in a Manly Way.

PITTSBURGH, Pa, Feb. lS.-Ohairman
B. F. Jones OF the Republican National
Committee, was in the Office Of Jones &
Lauehlins, at the South Side works this
morning, when representative Of the
Chronicle Telegraph called upon him to OBJ
tain some further information in regard to
the letter written by James G. Blaine to
him.
"ot coune, in this matter, Mr.. JONES'"
said the writer, "your are the representa-
tive OF Mr.. Blaine, and you can explain
such matters as are not plain in the letter
to you"
"Yeg, sir, that is true to a certain ex.
tent"
"Mr. Blaine states in tao beginning Of
his letter that he ia constrained TO this
decision by considerations entirely psr-
sonal to myself OF which you were advised
more than year ago. 1t Is about year
since Mr.. Blaine visited Pittaburgh. Dur.
ing that visit he told several OF his friends
and relatives that he would not Fe.enter
active political life because Of LII hesl.h,
and that game reason would prevent him
from being q candidate for the Presidency
In 1888. Ia this the reason alluded to as
having been given more than twelfth.
month sinceT
"No, air. II is not the reason, OF
course I have not seen Mr.. Blaine since
he went abroad, but have had many let
ters from him, and in nearly all OF them
he has spoken Of his health and ssid he
was entirely recovered"
"Will you tell me what Mr.. Blaine 3
reasons are"
"As given 10 me Of tina time to which
Mr., Blaine refers, the reasons were theae:
Before the nomination by the Repubi.
cans in 1875, Mr.. Blaine was very anxious
to obtain the Presidency, and worked for
/ Il with the aid OF his frisnds. He was dis.
appointed when 1t went to another man
in the manner 1t did. In 1880 he was
still anxious although in lesser degree,
and his disappointment was less marked,
In 1884 he had to great extent lost the
desire for the Office and now he withdraws
from the contest because he has no wish
10 become President. He takes keen
interest in literary work and wants rest
and Quiet. ] aaaure you these are the
only reasons for Mr.. Blains's letter that
are known to me. Everybody 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"
as not Mr.. Blaine's letter somewhat in.
consistent with the action OF his friends,
presumably with his consent, in working
Tor the control Of the State delegations
and committees?"
"No, sir, 1t is not inconsistent. No such
work has been done by us. Mr.. Blaine's
friends have not sought to get up or secure
q single delegate anywhere. We have
made no concerted action. There has
been no meeting to map out course fs-
vorable TO Mr.. Blaine, and sssure you
that whatever has been done by admirers
Of Mr.. Blaine has been done on their own
account and not at the Instance ot his
close friends. We have done nothing to
secure the nomination OF Mr.. Blaine.
When people write to me on the subject,
l Isend them in reply the call OF the Con.
yenhon as issued by the committee, and
some extracts from the history OF the
Convention OF 1884. I have written no
twas this letter laid before any sort OF o
meeting OF his friends or Of the National
Committee2"
at was not. The letter wac received by
me on Tuesday last, 1t having come di-
rectly from Florence to me. 1t was en-
tirely in Mr.. Blaine's handwriting. AS
you see by ita opening sentence, 1t was
Intended for the Republican party. l did
not tell anybody Of its existenCs until
Friday. Then told one man, who aaats.
ted me in preparing copies Of the letter
for the press. It was not given out on
Saturday because many papers do not
print Sunday editions, and was anxious
10 give 1t the widest publicity. ] RenE
copies to all the New York pap0rs and ar
ranged to have It 20 out blythe ASsoClsted
Preas. Even man az close to Mr.. Blaine
az Mr.. Steven B. Elkins knew nothing Of
the existence OF this letter until this
morning. did not even tell any mem.
her Of my family until this morning at 3
o'clock when reporter called mo upi and
In reply to questions from my vile told
her OF the letter. II has been used 90 Mr..
Blaine wished 1t 10 be, for the press Of the
country generally"
"Krowing Mr.. Blaine Ga well as you do,
what do You think Of the Significance Of
this letter !"
II think Mr.. Blaine is sincere and hon
eat in his expression, and that ne is not
deBiTous oil being candidate. believe
he means everything he says. As to the
effect Of the letter Shd what may be the
result Of that effect" and here Mr.
Jones smiled and shrugged hla shoulders
-"I am not prepared to say. ] am very