The Portland daily press., 1888-03-27
LlNcoLN's FATHER-IN-LAW,
Intinates That the Ex-Secretary May
be Presidential Candidate.

DIES MoIUEs. March 26.-In reply to a let
ter from friend, asking permission to use
his name as candidate for delegate to the
Chicago convention from Iowa, ex-United
States Senator James Harlan and father-in-
law of Robert T. Lincoln made the following
answer:
have received your welcome and iattering let
ter of the 10th inst expressing your desire and
the desire of our Henry County representative,
Captain Steele, together with that of others from
different parts of the State, to know whether or
delegate, either from this Congressional district
or the State at large, TO the national Republican
convention which will convene next June in The
city of Chicago. You inform me that IL is deemed
especially desirable that the Republicans of Iowa
should be represented at this convention by del
egation composed of their wisest and abest men;
and compliment me by saying that on this ac-
count the foregoing Inquiry is made, which you
others; that While you did not know my personal
wishes in this respect, yet you could say for me
that no one had more ardent desire for national
Republican success, and you believed that If the
Republicans of the State should say ''go" should
obey
In so answering you have represented my feel
ings truly. would certainly 60 if so command
ed by my political friends of either constituency
and serve them to the utmost of my ability. But
in some respects 1t would be delicate position
for me to occupy. On reflection think the rea-
sons would be obvious to every one. i should pre-
fer not to be delegate. :
Commenting on the above letter, the Iowa
State Register says:
We print elsewhere today letter from Hon.
James Harlan, in which he declines, for perfectly
good and natural reasons, being delegate to the
national Republican convention. He is not less
friendly to Senator Allison than any one else In
Iowa, but it is easy to see that there might come
a time in the National convention when he would
have to choose between the Iowa Senator and
, r Il K99er m neo nd Mr. t LINCOLN Is he,d e spn no
be asked to place himself where he might have to
make choice His letter in a very manly way
intimates this without saying it. The Republi
cans of Iowa will appreciate how the Senator
feels.
Chairman Jones Speaks.
WASHINGTON, March 26-Charman Jones
of the National Republican Committee, who
is still in Washington, intends to be reticent
on politics, but in conversation with his clos
est friends, many Of whom have already
seized immediate opportunity to exchange So
cial fluctuations with him, he drops hint
here and there which warrants the conclu-
sion that while the letter of Mr.. Blaine is
regarded by him as indited in earnest, there
are conditions, sometimes apparently newt
able, which would lead to his nomination, to
the contrary notwithstanding. To one of
these gentlemen Mr.. Jones said:
81 can very readily understand Mr.. Blaine's
position. He did not wish to feel that he
was in the way of the utmost harmony in
the Republican ranks, and, therefore, with
out consultation or even previous lntlmatlon,
penned his letter and requested its publica-
tion. The field is now open. All we want
is sagacious nomination and a winning
campaign. am confident we, can have that
with any of the several candidates
whose names are now frequently men,
toned. l am in receipt of constant commu-
nication from all parts Of the country
North, South, East and West. can say by
authority that the Republican party was
never in better spirit for successful CAM
paign. There have been doubts thrown up
on the sincerity of Mr.. Blaine's letter 1
know that the nomination of anyone of two
or three persons mentioned will be source
of real relief and qualification to him."
The chairman evidently feels that it might
be best not to have conditions arise which
would force the nomination of Mr.. Blaine
against his expressed wish. During his
stay at the capital he will have consultations
with Republican Senators and Representa-
tives from different sections of the country
in order to open the way to arrangements for
a successful convention.