The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-14
BLAINE'S WITHDRAWAL.
WHAT MEN AND PAPERS HAVE TO
SAY ABOUT 1T.
Glaring Inconsistencies Between the
Statements OF Republicans New
York Evening Post Takes the Most
Reasonable View.

plrrsnuRG, Pa, Feb. 10. The Hon. d.
+. Jones, chairman OF the Republican
national committee, was interviewed by q
C',romiclc- 7lkguph reporter this afternoon
on Mr.. Blaine's letter Of declination.
Mr. Jones stated that Mr.. Blaine was in
the best Of health, and il was not for this
reason he declined n denomination. Ellis
trip" said he, "has been wonderfully
beneficial have had many letters from
him, and in nearly all Of them ho has
spoken Of his health and said he was en-
tirely recovered. No, sir, il is not i'll health
nor the fear Of the result or the worry and
strain Of another campaign which impelled
Mr. Blaine 70 write that letter"
"Will you tell Inc what Mr.. Blaino's
reasons are2'
CAS- given 20 me at the time TO which
Mr.. Blaine refers, the reasons were these
Before the nomination by the Republicans
in 1876, Mr.. Blaine was very anxious to
obtain the presidency, and worked for II
with the aid Of his friends. lilo was dis
appointed when II went 10 the other man
in the manner il did. In 1850 he was still
anxious, although in lesser degree, and
his disappointment was less marked. In
1884 he had, 10 q great extent, lost the de-
sire for the Office, and now he withdraws
from the contest because he has no desire
10 become President lie takes a keen in
terest in literary work, and wants rest and
quiet. ! assure you these are the only
reasons for Mr.. Blaine's letter that are
known 10 me. Everybody, sooner or later,
looscs q desire for something which they
were once anxious 10 obtain, and this Is
entirely true in the case OF Mr. Blaine"
SIS not Mr.. Blaine's letter somewhat in
consistent with the actions OF his friends,
presumably with his consent, I'm working
for the control 81 the State delegations and
commitiees2"
'No, sir; II is not inconsistent. No such
work has been done by rs. OF course, |
have received countless letters on this sub.
ject from people north, south, east and
west. Mr.. Blainos friends have not
sought 10 set up or secure "A single delegate
anywhere. We have made no concerted
action. There has been no meeting 10
map out course favorable 90 Mr.. Blaine,
and assure you that whatever has been
done by admirers OF Mr. Blaine has been
done ON their own account and not nt the
instance Of his close friends. We have
done nothing 10 secure the nomination for
Mr.. Blaine. When people write TO me on
the subject send them, in reply, the call
of the convention as issued by the commit.
tee and some extracts from the history OF
the convention In 1854. have written nc
letters In MIR. Blainos interest"
"Was this letter laid before any sort Of q
meeting Of his friends or Of the national
commttcc2'
at was not. The letter was received by
me ON Tuesday last, Il having come d.
rctly from Florence 10 me. II was On.
tircly in Mr.. Blaines handwriting. Az
you see by is opening sentence IL was in.
tended for the Republican party. did
not tell anybody of It's existence until
Friday. Then told one man, who rs.
sisted me In preparing copies OF the letter
for the prss. II was not given out on
Saturday because many papers do moi
print sunday editions aud l was anxious
10 give Il the wides, publicity. arrange,
20 have II 70 ont 10y The Associated Pres
Even a man ~ close 10 Mr.. Blaine rs Mr.
Stephen D. Elkins knew nothing OF tn
existence Of this letter until this morn
inp"