Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-02-14

Bayne for q year, and have taken no part
in any fight he may be making. OF course
| have received countless letters on this
subject from people North, South, East
and West Mr.. Blaine's friends have not
sought to set up or secure a single delegate
anywhere. We have made no concerted
action.
Oh, HASN'T THERE?
There has been no meeting to map out
course favorable to Mr.. Blaine, and as
sure you that whatever has been done by
admirers of Mr.. Blaine has been done on
their own account, and not at the instance
of his close friends. We have done moth
ing to secure the nomination for Mr..
Blaine. When people write to me on tue
subject send them in reply the call of
the convention as issued by the committee
and some extracts from the history of the
convention Of 1894 have written no let
tiers in Mr.. Blaine's interest"
WAS this letter laid before any sort OF
meeting of his friends or Of the National
Committed"
1T was not. The letter was received by
me on Tuesday last, it having come di-
rectly from Florence to me. 1t was en-
tirely in Mr.. Blaine's handwriting. AS
you see by it's opening sentence, it was in
tended for the Republican party. did not
tell anybody of its existence until Friday.
Then I told one man, who assisted me IN
preparing copies of the letter for the press.
1t was not given out on Saturday because
many papers do not print Sunday editions
90 ~, n widest
publicity. I sent copies to all the New
York papers and arranged to have it 20 out
by the Associated Press. Even a man as
close TO Mr.. Blaine rs Mr.. Stephen b. FL
kins knew nothing of the existence OF this
letter until this morning did not even
tell any member of my family until this
morning at three o'clock when a reporter
called me up and in reply to question
from my wife / told her Of the letter. 1t
has been used as Mr.. Blaine wished it to
be, for the press Of the country generally, "
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LETTER.
knowing Mr.. Blaine as we'll as you do,
what do you think of the significance of
the letter."
'I think Mr. Blaine is sincere and hon
est in his expression and that he is not de-
sirous of being a candidate. believe he
means everything he says. AS to the effect
of the letter and what may be the result OF
that effect" and here Mr.. Jones smiled
and shrugged his shoulders-"I am not
prepared to say. l am very anxious to
know how the country takes the letter and
what is its sentiment"
Suppose as result of this letter, 1t had
the same effect as the letter written by
Mr.. Tilden under similar circumstances and
the convention was unanimous in its de-
mand that Mr. Blaine should run, do you
think he would accept them"
81 do not see how he could refuse under
such circumstances, and think he would
have to accept"
"Some papers intimate that this is only
one of Jim Blaine's smart tricks, and Is a
feeler?"
"Do they?" said Mr.. Jones, with laugh.
"Well, do not look at it that way.
think Mr.. Blaine is tired of the fight and
wants to retire. Still, am not prepared
to say what nay be the result"
Further than this Mr.. Jones would not
say, but an intimate friend of his said:
81 will say one thing only, and you can
construe it as you please, James G. Blaine
will be the next Republican candidate Tor
President"