The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-10-17
NEW ON BLAINE.
What the Indiana Leader Thought of the
Republican Boss In 1886.

n. I. hfaphlc, Aug. 70, 1856
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 26.-The Washington
Mr.. John G. New, ex-United States treasurer,
on Mr.. Blaine's standing in Indiana, and his
chances for a denomination by the republicans
for the presidency. Mr.. New said:
"Mr. Blaine has few republican friends In
Indiana who might think that his nomination
would be expedient, but you will find that the
party generally in the state is not of that opin-
ion The cause of this diminution OF Blaine
enthusiasm is traceable directly and princi-
pally TO that libel suit. The republicans think
that they were very stability treated in that
matter"
"How do they make that out?'
''rhe story of Mr.. Blaine's anti-nuptial ex-
periences, printed in an Indianapolis paper,
were not new. They had been told before, and
no attention was paid to them. They originated
in Kentucky when Bristow was in the cabinet
of President Grant. It is said that Bluford
Wilson, who was solicitor of the treasury,
dropped on to the main facts through some old
kentuckians, who were familiar with the oc-
currence at the time. Wilson was booming
Bristow for the presidency. While conducting
all intrigue against Grant through what capital
he could make out OF the operations of the
whisky ring, he also circulated these stories
about scandals connected with the pedagogic
days of Blaine There truth in Grants
connection with the whisky ring, as nothing
was ever shown against him, but the indlscre-
tion of tolerating those people around the
white house while under fire gave a sort of
quasi appearance of recognition which afforded
ample ground for Bristow's friends TO work
upon.
an connection with the Blaine story it was
permitted to 90 uncontradicted. When Blaine
was stricken down that Sunday, just before the
nominating convention, Bristow called at
Blaine's house to inquire after his condition.
Mrs Blaine, who had not yet forgotten the
Brstow intrigue, with more force than etiquette
intimated that il did not concern him. When
these stories were republished in the last cam
paign they did not make ripple in Indiana
politics. Greatly to everybody's surprise an
order came to bring suit for libel. Our people
were not in favor of this course, and tele-
graphed to know whether Mr.. Blaine in
earnest in his direction in the premises. His
orders being peremptory the necessary
steps were taken. Instead of helping us
we were badly handicapped by the
tendency of this trial. OF course, we all de-
Tended Mr.. Blaine, supposing that his proceed
ings in the matter meant that there was moth
ing in these stories. That was the natural in
ference We had inklings during the campaign
that great many new facts had been obtained,
which were only being withheld awaiting Mr..
Blaine's reply When that came out the re-
publicans had serious setback. And then to
close the unfortunate affair. Mr.. Blaine with
drew his suit on the plea that he could not get
justice, when the fact that many of the
court people and all the persons on our side of
the case were republicans. Besides that, the
party was committed to his defense. The re-
publicans of Indiana have not yet recovered
from the dissatisfaction on that occasion"
What can they do about it?"
THE nominations are two years off. By that
time we will in all probability pass through
stages of experience progress and change in
political sentiment which will cause the repub-
licans to move cautiously in the matter of
making up their ticket Mr.. Blaine might have
some influence in shaping the nomination, but
he will not be nominated. great many in
fuential republicans declare that if Blaine
should be nominated there will be no republic
can electoral ticket named by the party organ
ization in Indiana and as for carrying the
state for Blaine, that is entirely out OF the
question. / am not saying this out of any
stalwart notions Of hostility to Mr.. Blaine, but
purely on the grounds of expediency and a
knowledge OF the attitude of the party leaders
growing out of Blaine's course IN that libel
suit"