Daily Republican., 1888-02-14
rhe wi,harAwal OF niA,ne.

NEw YORK, February IS. -BlAine's let
ter was the great topic on the street and
in the hotel ;obbies to dag. There we
some doubters Of Mr. Blalne's sincerity,
but ter the most part his letter was ac-
cepted as q final Withdrawal.
Senator Hawley, OF Connecticut, him
self candidate tor the Presidency, was
found at the Astor House. To the ques
t on whether he considered Blaine's with
drswal final he said; Certainly l do.
CT cBmstances may aiite that will com
p his friends TO refuse to sccept this as
fiDal ani wer from Mr.. Blaine. But that
no one knows anything about. have
nothing TO say about candidates. All
talk about them at this time is mere
speculation. | have no doubt that Mr.
Sherman's chances have been very much
strengthened by Mr. Blaine's letter, and
the same might be said about Mr.. Allison
The friends of Mr.. Blaine will now divide
more or lees among the other cAndi-
dates"
Ex-senator Plat remarked: en-.
Blaine means every word he says 1t Is
too early TO talk of candidates Things
are very chaotic Just at present"
Senator Hale, of Maine, was in the city
to-day Said he: "Mr. Blaine has the
interest of the party at heart; he bslieves
In is success and will do as much as any
| man TO carry the election this fall. He
will return In June or July, and when the
campaign opens Mr.. Blaine will enter the
field and speak for the ticket. There can
be no other construction put upon the
letter than that he Intends to do what he
says he will do, decline to have his name
presented TO the convention. As to other
candidates / cannot say. The Republican an
party l think can win the victory this
"If the convention should nominate
Blaine with one voice he simply could not
refuse. AS for the other candidates, the
| fight will be In the convention. Senator
Sherman has The confidence OF the bust.
ness men" This Is Chauncey ". De-
pew's idea
Ex Postmaster General Hattsn's opin-
ion Is that Blsine's friends will now split
and that the convention will be free from
personal strife.
George B. Loring, of Massaeh u sets, sa
his State was for Blaine and would have
sent united delegation. In his opinion
Mr.. Blaine desired TO avoid another bitter
struggle.
Ex Senator Warner Miller said the
| Republican party was rich In Presidential
material. he mentioned Hawley, Allison,
Sherman, Sheridan, Lincoln and Foraker
as among the possibilities.
SHERMAN ON THE LETTER.
CoLuNBUs, February IS S.-Senator John
Sherman arrived In this city to-day to
attend the Lincoln banquet TO night. This
afternoon he was seen at the Neal House
and in answer TO the question what 90
you think OF Blaine'e ietteI" sAid
"lt is an admirable letter. No, can.
not say that 1t was great surprise to me,
for have doubted ali along whether Mr..
Blaine would be candidate"
Then you think this final as regard
Blaine's candidacYl'
Certainly do. think II means per-
maaent retirement fer Mr.. Blaine. He
says in his letter that his reasons are pri-
vAtet and, of course, they are. Mr.. Blaine
is getting old and does not care to under
go the labors OF another canvass"
The Senator does not want to exult
over Blaine's withdrawal, but there is
unmlstakable evidence In INSTRUMENTATION
that he considers his chances very good
now. He said he proposed to take the
race for the Ohio delegation, and would
contest honorably for the nomination.
Mr. Blaine was Republican that could
sweep the country If nominated, but he
had understood all along that he would
not again seek the nomination 1t was
on this hypothesis that he (5herman had
entered the lists.
Mr.. Blaine e letter completely demora-
Lies Foraker's friends, as they hoped to
use him In case Of q fight between Blaine
and Sherman. There are many leading
Republicans here to day and the general
sentiment is strongly in favor of Sherman
for the Presidency