Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-15

And Gota Very Positive RefusaI-Indian-
apoiis Opinion.
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec l5-The city and
state are in considerable excitement over the
late rumor connecting Mr. Blaine with the
new cabinet. 1t was reported Thursday
night that the Maine man had been offered
and had accepted the state portfolio The
report is not believed here. Leading Repub-
licans, who, it is supposed, know something
of the inside, say that they are confident that
nothing has been offered Mr. Blaine, and
they have strong reasons for believing that
he will not be in the cabinet. 1t is suspected
that the report was started by friends of Mr.
Blaine, who have evinced determination
to force Gen. Harrison to take him into the
cabinet. "But." remarked one of the friends
of the president-elect yesterday, "Gen. Har-
rison is the kind of man who can Withstand
such pressure
When Cen Harrison was visited by
reporter he came into the hall and said very
sharply:
I Thought it was understood that was not
be interviewed "
L have no desire TO interview you il YOU do not
wish to talk" was the half apolosetic reply.
y have stated repeatedly to representatives Of
the press that would have nothing to say at any
time Ia an interview Special correspondents
have come to me with questions that in one or
two instances have not even permitted them 10
ask, and have said time and again that would
not talk upon any subject for publication sup
posed that it understood, and if it is not
want it thoroughly understood all around that |
can not and will not allow myself to be placed in
the position OF either affirming or denying any
reports that may be put in circulation by news
papers. Even if they should be true would
have nothing whatever to say about them"
But this report is Of such an extraordinary
nature that"
1t makes no difference what is the nature of
the report or through what channel it comes |
can not allow myself to be troubled with questions
about sneh things If l should say anything once
/ would be expected to again. and you can see
what it would lead to. l might as well undertake
To keep the public Informed as 10 what have
In mind, and il would amount to that if
should take up the newspaper reports every morn
ing and say this is true that is not true. You
gentlemen may go on with your speculation as TO
what you think will he done, but l must not be
asked To confirm or deny the reports that are put
in circulation. l say this in all kiniuess, but
hope 1t will be understood all around chat l will
not allow myself to be placed in the position Of
determining the trustworthiness of any report,
no matter how important or from what source it
comes
One Republican was inclined to credit the
report He said:
would not be in the least surprised If the
newspapers have got it about right this time,
though know nothing of it myself. When Rus
sell Harrison went east it was understood that he
bore message OF Importance to some distin-
gushed Republican. and it is now known that
he has been in consultation with some of Blaine's
most trusted friends. IL Blaine has been of
fered the position it was done through Russell
Harrison and his acceptance was given through
the same channel. l know sthat Har
| rtson has determined TO trust important business
| only to messengers and not TO the mails or tele
| graph, and have good authority for saying that
| Russell bore an important communication to the
| Republicans of the east and l doubt not that
| some Of them were Blaine's friends. OF course
| it would have been folly to communicate with
Blalue personally and Russell has no doubt deliv
| cred his fathers message TO trusted friends OF
the Pumed Knight instead Of himself