Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-02-14
EX-SENATOR PLATr's OPINION.

lItlf ellOTlS.
EX-SENATOR PLATT's OPINION.
The Mail and Express devotes consider
able space this evening to interviews con-
cerning Blaine's letter. Senator Hawley
said that he considered it final utterance
of Blaine on the subject of his Presiden-
tial candidacy. There can be no doubt as
to the sincerity of Blaine in this matter.
Circumstances may arise that will compel
his friends to refuse to accept this as final
answer from Blaine.
Ex-senator Platt said: dol believe
Mr.. Blaine to be out of the race for the
Presidency now? Yes, l do. l believe
Blaine means every word of that letter. l
have had reason to know for some little
| time that such letter was forthcoming"
CoNGREssMEN INTERVIEWED.
WASHINGTON, February 13th.-Baine's
letter was tine leading topic of political
gossip to-day. Blaine's friends in Congress
show desire not to express their opinion,
but intimate that the letter only emphasizes
| the disinclination which he has shown to
press his claim for nomination. Prominent
men known as opponents OF Blaine hail
the letter as an actual withdrawal on his
part from the Presidential race.
Among the prominent Democrats in both
houses the expression seems to prevail that
the letter is far from establishing the fact
that Blaine win not be the Presidential
candidate.
Senator Allison says: "I regard Mr..
Blaine as perfectly honest and sincere. His
letter was not, in my judgment, written for
any ulterior purpose. There is, of course,
nothing in the letter that could prevent the
Convention from nominating Blaine but
| do not anticipate any action of that sort"
Senator Frye said: u suppose Mr..
Blaine was entirely IN earnest when he
wrote his letter, at the same time it con-
tains nothing that prevents the Convention
f;om nominating him, and throws all the
| responsibility off his shoulders, if he
should take the nomination. He could
say that he did not force the party to give
him the honor"
Senator Blair said: 81 believe Blaine is
sincere in his refusal to be candidate, and
we must look around for new man."
Representative Dingley. of Maine said ::
Mr.. Blaine is honest in his refusal to be
candidate. | have personal knowledge
| that he does not want the nomination, and
his declaration 10 that effect is no surprise
| to me-"
Senator Davis, of Minnesota, said 1" l
| hope this letter will set at rest all the re-
| ports that Blaine is willing TO sacrifice the
Republican party to his personal ambition.
defeat of his party, tor he proves the con-
trary in his letter. His letter is sincere,
| and he will be one of the foremost to help
! the party to success"
Senator Frye said =" think the letter is
exactly what it purports to bean instruc-
ton to Blaine's friends not TO present his
| name in the Convention. 1t does not debar
| the Convention from selecting him, if 1t
chooses"
Senator Chandler said The party both
loses and gains by his withdrawal. 1t loses
the effect of his popularity on the Pacific
coast and the thousands OF votes which he
| alone can gain from the Irish-American
Democrats. 1t loses also the enthusiasm
which his name would inspire everywhere.
The gain is the support of the small per-
centage of Republicans who are hostile to
him. These being reconciled to the party,
it would be completely united, and this
union will give us a Republican victory.
The free trade message of Cleveland will
probably result in defeating his renomina-
ton, so we will pretty surely have new
ticket on both Sides"
DOESN'T PREVENT HIS NOMINATION.
PITTsBURG, February 13th.-Joseph D.
Wells, Financial Secretary of the Republi-
can National Committee, in commenting
upon Mr.. Blaine's letter, said i" | think
Mr.. Blaine is perfectly sincere in what he
says, out do not think his withdrawal will
prevent his nomination, nor his acceptance
of the nomination, if thrust upon him He
| owes too much to the Republican party for
| that"
GRESHAM NoN-CoMMITTAL.
LOUISVILLE, February 18th. - Judge
| Gresham was seen here this morning, and
when asked his opinion of the Blaine let
1 4.