Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-02-14
GREAT SURPRISE is EVINCED
In Some Quarters Over the Publication Of
His Letter Rtusing to Again
Become the Radical
Color Bearer.
CHAIRMAN B. ?. JONES EXPLAINS
What is Supposed to bs Not as Clear
as Mud--.VariOus Meanings At
ributsd to the Document By
the Press of the
Country.
rslsrrnn 10 ne Renisker.

special Telegram to tie Register.
WASHINGTON, February 13.-The Blaine
declinatiop has been the source Of political
comment at the Capitol throughout the
day. When all efforts had
failed to secure anything from
William Walter Phelps confirming
the seriousness of Mr.. Blsine's
intention not to again be q candidate the
verdict was that the letter was simply a
coy and artful one. The Presidential can
didates unanimously declare that they be-
lieved full that he was out of the race
The Blaine men fastened to counteract
this speedy conclusion by assuming that Mr.
Blaine was contemplating personal sacri-
flee that his party would not permit him
to make Three sample interviews will
show how the letter is regarded according
to the wishes Of those interested.
'It's sincere withdrawal" said Presi-
Dental Candidate Allison. There's no
doubt of that, Mr.. Blaine is out of the
race" Il take it for granted that Mr..
Blaine has written his letteI in good faith, I"
said Presidential Candidate Cullom. "He
does not now intend that his name shall
90 before the next National Convention"
Expressions like the above stirred up the
Blame men. 81 do not consider that the
letter takes Mr. Blame out of the field rs a
candidate, said Senator Frye, Blaine
henchman. ''If the Republican party
regards Mr. Blaine as the candidate it
wants it will nominate him. Then the
responsibility will be shifted from Mr..
Blaine to the party at large" Represent
ative Milliken, who represents Blaine's
old district, and who is a close personal
friend Of that gentleman, was more earn
est 10 his denial that the let
ter vas seriously meant 81
10 put think" said Mr.. Milliken,
that Mr.. Blaine's candidacy is matter
that ne can settle for himself. consider
his letter entirely sincere, but it will take
some stronger declaration than that to in
duce hls friends TO let him retire from the
field know how he felt about the
matter before he received the nomination
before. He did not want it. He was not
a candidate until it was already certainly
his have known his feeling about a re-
nomination since. | know it from my
sell, and l have known from the first
that he did not want the nomination.
He has not changed his mind, and this is
an expression of his wishes He says him
self in the letter that it Is on account Of
personal reasons that he declines. We
all know what these reasons are-the ia
tigue and annoyance Of the campaign, &c.
THESE think cannot weigh against the
public reasons why he should accept. As
q candidate he can do more now than any
other man to put the party back IN pow
er For this reason his friends will not
accept his refusal as final"
Thomas B. Reed, of Maine, the Republi-
can leader iu the House, and Representa-
tive DiDgley, of the same State, were the
only two men who professed TO believe
that the letter took Mr.. Blaine out of the
field.