Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-05-10
If Nominated in the Face of His
Florence Letter.
The Magnetic Statesman is in the
Hands of his Friends.
Not at Liberty TO Decline the N0mina
ton if rendered.
Assurances From Mr.. Blaine, TO that
Effect, Received.
BLAINE WILL BEA CANDIDATE.
Anew York Correspondent Has AUTHORITATIVE
Evidence Of the Fact.

Anew York Correspondent Has Authoritative
Evidence of the Fact,
PHILADELPHIA. MAY 1.-The Times will
publish TO MORROW the following triple
loaded special from New York, which it
will indorse as coming direct from an
authentic source:
II have entirely reliable information
that the friends of Blaine have within
the last three days received direct frem
him his assent TO an aggressive move
ment for his denomination for presi-
dent, and the assurance that if
months ted in the face OF his Florence
letter of declination he would not feel at
liberty to decline. A general and sys-
tematic effort has been made by Blaine's
closest friends, such SIS William Walter
Phelps, Whitlsw Reid, Charles Emory
Smith and others, for two months past,
TO get Blaine into the attitude of pas
sive candidate. The Washington con-
ference was only part Of the
varied methods by which infu-
ence has been brought 20 bear
upon Blaine, and the publication of
his portrait freshly taken from life, in
Italy, and issued by Judge this week, was
decided on more than month ago, as a
starting point for the avowed effort to
make Blaine candidate. Every possible
pressure has been put upon Blaine to get
from him a direct assurance that no will
not decline if ominsted, and that the
ASSURANCE HAD BEEN RECEIVED
In this city from Blame within the last
three days. In very few days more it
will cease to be secret that Blaine is in
the hands of his friends, as the Blaine
leaders Will at once come to the front
and make an aggressive cam
paign for his denomination. This
movement has been pretty clearly
foreshadOwed for some weeks, in
such Blaine organs as the
Tribune of this city, and the Philadel phIa
Press, and all afrectation about Bluiue's
candidacy will now soon be thrown off
and the battle made an aggressive one.
Part of the original program was the
election of Chas. Emory Smith as dele
gate al large from your state, and its
failure was great disappointment
to the Blaine junto in this city,
but Mr.. Smith gives assurance that
Mr.. Blaine can command a
majority of the Pennsylvania delegation
under any circumstances, and that if
Blaine's nomination shall seem to be as
sured the delegation will be solid for
him. The unexpected expressions in
Massachusetts and Vermont, for Blaine,
WERE NOT ACCIDENTAL,
nor are they nexpected to Blaine's
friends. When all of the anti-Blaine
men were reposing on their arms because
they regarded Blaine as out of the
fight, the friends of Blaine were
most energetic in their work in the two
anti Blaine New England states, and they
got possession of Vermont and Massa-
chusetts while the others were sleeping
in fanoied security. 1t was the ex-
preston of the three hitherto anti
Blaine New England states that made
Blaine cast aside his doubts and as
sent to the opportunities of his
friends for his denomination. It is nov
positive fact that Blaine is in the field
that his friends have his assent to q
movement IN his favor, and that he will
be nominated at Chicago if hard work
and plenty of enthusiasm can accomp-
lish iG.'