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


COLUMBUS, February 13.-John Sher-
man, who is in the city, on hearing that
Mr.. Blaine would not allow his name to
be used before the Chicago Convention,
said that he had been expecting some such
utterance from Mr.. Blaine for some time.
He had understood that it would be
forthcoming. Mr.. Blaine was one of the
foremost Americans, whom every Republi-
can would have delighted to honor, and it
was source of regret that he had con-
cluded not to make the race again.
Mr.. Sherman did not care to talk much
about the Blaine letter, and thought 1t
would cause a number Of other candidates
to come to the front. He proposed to make
the race for the Ohio delegation, and would
contest hOnorably for the nomination. MIR.
Blaine was Republican who could sweep
the country if nominated, but he (Sher-
man understood all along that he would
not again seek the nomination. Il was on
this hypothesis that Mr. Sherman had en-
tered the lists.
WHISPERS From WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., February 13.-Mr.
Blaine's letter was the leading topic Of po-
hticsl gossip to-day.
Mr.. Blaine's avowed friends in Congress
show desire not to express their opinions,
but intimate that the letter only empha-
sizes the disinclination which he has shown
to press his claims for the nomination.
The conspicuous Sherman men and Others
known as opponents of Mr.. Blaine, hail
the letter as an actual withdrawal on his
part from the Presidential race.
Senator Allison and Others who may be
classed as Presidential candidates, content
themselves with saying that Mr.. Blaine's
expressions are unquestiOnably sincere,
but that he would have to yield to the de-
mand of the party that he should become
its candidate if it should so express itself
in convention.
Among prominent Democrats in both
houses the expression seems to prevail that
the letter is far from establishing the fact
that Mr.. Blaine will not be Presidential
candidate.
Mr.. Dalzell, Republican Representative
from the Pittsburg district, an intimate
friend of Chairman Jones, Of the National
Republican Committee, says he is not sur
prissd to read Mr.. Blsine's letter; that he
had an intimation several months ago that
Mr.. Blaine had suffered severely from
nervous prostration since the campaign OF
1884, and would not likely be physically
able to withstand the rigorous demands of
another campaign; that he went abroad
with the hope OF recovering his health, and
that the letter indicated that he is disap.
pointed in the object of his trip. Mr.. Dal-
zsll believes that Mr.. Blaine is sincere in
his determination not to have his name
used in the convention, and also that he
intends to assist in the election eff the nom-
inee to the extent that his physical con-
dition may permit.
BELIEVES IT A FINAL "UTTERANCE."
NEW YORK, February 13.-Senator JOS
eph K. Hawley was seen at the Astor
House to-day, in regard to Mr.. Blaine's
letter. He said:
There is one thing want to say. l
hope this letter will put an enc to the un-
Just attacks constantly made on Mr.. Blaine
by certain newspapers. know his name
was presented to the convention in 1884
much against his wish.
II regard this letter as final utterance
on Mr.. Blaine's part. believe he means
every word oft. Of course circumstances
may arise that will compel his friends to
decline to accept it as final answer, but
this is problematical. As to the effect of
other candidates chances we must wait to
see how the newspapers takei it. Such talk
is the merest speculation anyhow"
When the Senator's own prospects were
alluded to he smiled and said his position
in the United States Senate was good
enough for1him.
Ex-senator Thomas Platt said 81 be-
lieve Mr.. Blaine means every word of it,
and is out of the race definitely. 1 have
had reason to know for some time that
such letter would be forthcoming. He
never wanted a nomination, and in 1884
was forced into it. The letter will be a
great disappointment to his friends, as he
could be nominated by reclamation if he