The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-06-11
.BLAIEB'S FUTURE PLANS
To Make Campaign Speeches
and Have a Pleasant Time.
POLITICS AND POLITICIANS.
General Alger's Boom-HIs Friends
Conndent-Chauncey Dcpcw and
Western NIen-Gossip About
Republican Candidates.

PHILADELPHIA, June l0.-A special
from Washington to the Press says: Mr..
Blaine's refusal to become Presidential
candidate again is doubtless due to the
influence of bis wife. Since the cam
paign OF 's4 which seems-so' members Of
the family say-like nightmare to her,
and whose prostrating effect she felt far
more than Blaine did, Mrs. Blaine has
had but one mind about repetition OF
that experience. She regards it with
horror, and has used her atf.persuading
influence with her husbandt to expel any
lingering longing to make the battle
from his mind.
Then there is another reason. Mr..
Blaine has discovered the exquisite de.
lights OF life OF leisure to cultivated
man, with opportunities to crafty the
tastes OF culture. The exhilarating and
stimulating sense OF power, which is
the reward of political achievement and
the motive which impels to political sue
cess, has in his case entirely yielded to
the keener, subtle, supreme relish that
are to be found in books, congenial COM
panionship, in the stage, OF which he is
passionately fond, and in the absolute
independence OF private life and station,
with the resources OF wealth ut COM
mand.
1t is possible also here to give some
suggestion OF Mr.. Blaine's plans for the
future. First of all, he intends to take
an active part in the Republican cam.
paign. He has told his family so, and
they do not object. They believe that
the excitement, unattended by personal
worry and anxiety OF making few
speeches during the campaign will do
him good, and he is really enthusiastic
over the prospect OF delivering some ad-
dresses on the issue OF the canvass and
in support of his favorite doctrine OF
Protection for its own sake. 1t is quite
likely that Mr.. Blaine will, after the
canvass, spend the winter either in New
York or Washington. He is fond OF the
companionship OF men Of wit, culture
and achievement, and this he could not
obtain in Augusta. He is also IN in
tense lover OF the theatre, and especially
OF opera. In Europe he has always
been on the alert for the best that the
theatre had to offer, and Of his visitors
he always asks what they regard the
reigning attraction.
Mr.. ]. S. Clarkson, prominent news
paper man OF Des Moines, Ia, who was
recently in New York, tells this anus.
ing story about Blaine, which has never
yet appeared in print. Some years ago
there was railroad accident near, Des
Moincs, by which travel was delayed for
several days. Among the passengers
who were compelled TO lay over was Mr.
Blaine. Being on friendly terms with
the Clarksons, he at once repaired to
their house, evidently determined to get
as much fun out OF his visit us possible.
"Now," he says to Mrs. Clarkson as
he threw aside his great coat and
rubbed his hands gleefully, "bring out
yourold songs and let's have u 60 at them
off hand. Don't be afraid to put in all
tho old fashioned buckwheat notes"
The day was spent in riotous amuse.
ment, such Us school children on va.
cation might be expected to indulge in.
After they had sung themselves hoarse,
Mr.. Blaine suggested whistling match,
and, turning the backs OF their chairs to
each other, they began to whistle differ
ent tunes with more zest than melody.
He is good whistler and easily carried
off the honors.
Now he looks forward to winter in
which he can have surfeit of theatrical
pleasure, with plenty Of good comic
opera. Reports have been circulated
that he intends to write another book,
but il he has any such notion il is yet SO
misty that he has said nothing to his
family about il.