The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-02-16

u y Jones. chairman Of the Republi
eau naiiopal committee, MAS interviewed
by Chronicle Telegraph reporter this al
terDoon on Mr.. Blaine's letter. Mr.. Jones
stated thai Mr.. Blaine WAS in the yer,
best OF health. sud II VAS not for this res-
son that be declined = denomination.
'His trip. /" said be. has been wonder
fully beneficial. have had many letters
from bim. aud 10 nearly oil Of them be
has spoken Of bis health and said BIO was
entirely recovered. No. sir. ii is not i'll
health. nor the fear Of the result or the
worry sad strain OF another campaign
which impelled Mr.. Blaine to write that
letter.
"Will you tell me what Mr.. Blsine's
reasons are n 'As given TO me ut the
time TO which Mr. Blaine refers the rea-
sons were these: Before the nomination
by the Republicans in 1876 Mr.. Blaine
was very anxious to obtain the presidency
and worked for ii with the aid OF his
friends. He was disappointed when il
went TO another man in the manner it did.
In 1850 he was still ANXIOUS, although in
in lesser degree, and his disappointment
was less marked. la 1884 be bad to a
great extent lost the desire for the office.
and now be withdraws from the contest
becouse be has no wish to become presi-
dent. He takes keen interest in literary
work and wants rest and quiet / assure
you these are the only reasons for Mr..
Blaine's letter that are known to me- Ey-
cry body sooner or later loses desire for
something which they were once anxious
20 obtain, aud this is entirely true in the
case OF Mr.. Blaine"
"Is not Mr.. Blaines letter somewhat in
consistent with the action of his friends,
presumably with his consent, In working
for the control OF the state delegations p
mo sir; it is not inconsistent. No such
work has been done by us. OF course, /
nave received countless letters on this
subject from people North, South, East
and West. Mr., Blaines friends have not
sought TO set up or secure single dele
gate anywhere, We have made no con-
certed action. There has been no meet
ing to map out q course favorable to Mr..
Blaine, and ] assure you that whatever
lss been done by admirers Of Mr.. Blaine
has been done on their own account and
aot at the instance OF his close friends.
We have done nothing to secure the nom
nation for Mr.. Blaine. When people
write me on the subject send them in
reply the call Of the convention as issued
by the committee and some extracts fro m
the history Of the convention Of 1884 /
have written no letters 10 Mr. Blaine's in
terest"
"Was this letter laid before any sort OF
/. meeting OF bis friends or Of the national
committee p ut was not. The letter
was received by me on Tuesday last, it
having come directly from Florence to
me. II was entirely in Mr., Blaine's hand
xriting. As you see by its opening SEN
snce, it was intended for the Republican
,arty. / did not tell anybody Of its ex-
steDco until Friday Then told On
nan who assisted me in preparing copies
of the letter for the press. 1t was not given
mt on Saturday because many papeIs do
uot print Sunday editions, and was anx
ious to give 1t the widest publicity. ar.
ranged to have it go by the associated
press. Even man as close to Mr.. Blaine
As Stephen b Elkins knew nothing Of the
existence OF this letter until this morning.