The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-12-31
vARi US WASHINGTON MATTERS.
The Speakership-AIden Blethen's
Paper-coIIector cushIng's Remov-
aI-Mr Blaine as Secretary


aI-Mr. Blaine as Secretary.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-Mr. Milliken Of
the Maine congressional delegation has re-
Gently been in conversation with Mr.. Blaine
and says that If the plumed knight is not
invited to the head of the State Department
Mr.. Harrison will make great mistake.
The opposition to Mr.. Blaine. Mr.. Milli-
ken says, is that of small men compared
with Mr.. Blaine, who fear that If the Maine
statesman is Secretary of State there will not
be much room for them.
81 don't know" said Mr.. Milliken,
whether Mr.. Blaine would really accept
the office, but about the propriety and ex-
pediency of offering it to him, there is no
doubt whatever. Some of his opponents are
trying to give the impression that Mr.. Blaine
is not safe man; that if he were Secretary
of State he would upset things and make
trouble. But there is no foundation for
such view. Mr.. Blaine is one of the most
cautious men in public life. There have
been great military leaders whose battles
and campaigns seemed to be desperate, that
was only the outside view. They never
seemed so to those in command, because ev-
cry detail had been properly thought out and
planned beforehapd-and so with Mr..
Blaine. His boldest strokes Of statesman
knowledge and caution.
Representative Farquhar Of New York,
who has been mentioned for the speakership,
says that, like Lodge, Bayne and others Of
those mentioned, he Is not candidate. He
is for Reed, and, like Lodge and Bayne. be-
lieves Reed will be elected. He says none Of
the western candidates have been able, as
yet to get pledges from any members except
from Ohio. The eastern men are waiting TO
see whether there is to be an extra session Of
10 ravtC0nurQGG hQfOrQ nlpdOfnO than cQlvaz
Farquhar thinks that Reed will be found to
have unexpected strength among the western
dele ations.
Renel II. Reed has been commissioned
Towne, at WeichyiIie, Ne.
The President today directed the removal
of Edward Gushing, collector OF customs at
Belfast, Me-, and will nominate his successor
in few days.
Cushing this morning sent long despatch
to the Treasury Department asking that ac-
tion be suspended on his case until he could
be heard in his own defence. But the Presi-
dent had already signed the order for his re-
moval before Mr.. Cushing's despatch had
been received.
National Committeeman Arthur Sewall Of
Maine, who Is personal friend OF Mr..
Cushing's was here today on flying trip.
He arrived last night and left this afternoon
but by the time he reached the Treasury
Department this morning the Presidents
order removing Mr.. Cushing had been is
sued, and Mr.. Sewall could do nothing for
the ex-collectOr
A. ]. Blethen, formerly of Maine. has
come to Washington to complete arrange
ments for the publication Of his new Repub-
lican evening paper. 1t Is understood that
CharlesA. Williams, formerly Mlnneapolist
j0urnalist,wi be managing editor OF the new
paper. Blethen has about Si25,0O0 cash to put
into the enterprise.
What Will undoubtedly be one Of the most
interesting conventions ever beld IN this
country will assemble in this city on Tues
day next, January 1st 1t will be the nrst
convention Of the kind ever held, and its de-
liberations and decisions will be OF great
interest to the Roman Catholic Church, and