The Portland daily press., 1888-12-19
WHAT DID MR.. BLAINE poq
His Reputed DecIination of a $685.
900 Salary as an Editor.
[st. Louis Republican. !


NEW YORK, Dec. 13.-The recently pub
lished story that Mr.. Blaine had been invited
to become connected with literary enter
prise in New York city had a foundation in
solid fact, although none of the statements
as to the enterprise itself have been correct.
1t can be positively stated that when he was
in New York ten days ago Mr.. Blaine re-
ceiyed one of the most munifcent offers ever
made to any writer for literary work. The
offer was made to him in his home in Angus
ia, last September, at the end of the Maine
election canvass, ON behalf of syndicate of
consideration until Mr.. Blaine's visit to this
city on the occasion of the death of Mrs.
Gen. Sherman, when Mr.. Blaine declined
the proposition. The refusal to accept the
offer is belived by the statesman's friends
here to be a certain indication that he will
go into Gen. Harrison's Cabinet as Secretary
of State.
The project was the publication of high
class illustrated journal, similar in type to
the London illustrated News. The definite
objects of the journal were to be political.
1t was to be devoted to American interests
whose advocacy and advancement were to
be given preference over everything else.
The gentlemen of the sydicate were to have
furnished 100000 for the project, with Mr..
Blaine as edit0r-in-chlef and MIR. Carson
Lake general manager. Col. Lake was in-
terviewed tonight about the project. He
said:
after the Chicago convention talked the
matter over with several friends all promi-
nent men in the Republican party. There
was unanimous verdict that If Mr.. Blaine
was willing to retire, or ready to retire, from
active politics in the sense of administrative
or legislative craftsmanship, his pen and
name would make such an enterprise sue
cess from the outset. The matter was final
ly brought to his attention as a business
proposition, and the assurances given that
ample capital was ready was ready were sat
isfactory to him."
"Was a stock company to have been
formed? ?'
"Yes; with l,000, 600 capital stock"
What was the offer made to Mr.. Blaine ?''
HE was offered $4,000 year, with five
| years guarantee. 1t was also agreed that he
| was TO be given $250,000 of worcestershire
| stock. Another fourth of the stock was tC
have been left in the treasury and the bal
ance was to be subscribed for at par; that is
| 100000, which was to have been the work
| ing capital Mr.. Blaine, under this arrange
ment, would have received 0ne-third of the
| profits in addition to his salary, and l do not
hesitate to assert that the profits accruing to
| him would have been double the salary.
| Walker Blaine was to have been engaged as
| assistant editor, which may account Tor the
| hints you have seen that he might give ur
| law for literature. He has liking for lit
| erary work.
"Mr. Blaine took the matter under consid-
| Grafton. | spent three days in Augusta,
much of the time with him. The matter
was discussed in its various phases quite full
| ly. He was so full Of the election that he
| was unable to get his mind down to any.
| thing else. just before | left for New York
he sent me a note at the Augusta House
which probably reflects his mind quite accu.
| rately" The note was as follows:
| DEAR Mr. LAKE:-You almost took my breath
away with the statistics you give in the matter Of
| your projected pictorial and political journal.
am deeply impressed with all you have said to me
| and while quite unable to give positive answer
do not wish to reply In the negative at this time
| am thinking just now of the election of Harri
| son and Morton so absorbingly, and especially O
| the Maine election today, that ] DO not take In
| facts and figures with perfect clearness. will bt
| out OF the fog in clear daylight in short time.
Very sincerely,
| JAMES G. BLAINE.
| Col Lake said further: 81 have no cues
| tion that Gen. Harrison will offer Mr.. Blaine
the portfolio of State, and none that he
| will accept it. Mr.. Blaine has been knowr
to say that he. preferred the place Of Secre
| tary OF State to that of President"
Senator Quay and ex-President Hayes ar,
| in Indianapolis.