The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-02-17
BLAINE DECLINES.
Hon. ]. q. Blaine Writes to the
Chairman of the Republican
Committee.
He Will Not Have His Name Presented
For Nomination Before the National
Convention.
Prospects of Republican Success-The
Tariff Issue and Comparisons With
Previous Elections.

Previous Elections.
PITTSBURGH, Pa. Feb. lathe Pittsburgh
Commercial Gazette publishes the following:
Mr.. b. r. Jones, chairman Of the National
Republican Committee, has received let
ter from Mr.. Blaine declining to allow his
name to be presented to the National Re
publican convention as candidate for the
Presidential nomination. 1r. Jones, when
asked whether Mr.. Blaine's declination
would prevent his friends from nominating
him anyhow, said: "As am chairman OF
the National Committee, do not think it
would be proper for me to have any thing
to say on that subject"
"Do you think Mr. Elaine would accept
the nomination if rendered to himr'
II have authority 10 speak for Mr.. Blame
and have no coniectures to offer on the sub
ject The letter speaks for itself aud
must decline to be interviewed on the ques-
tiou."
The following is Mr.. Blaine's letter In
full:
B. +. Jones, Esq.. Chairman Of the National RS'
publican Committee:
FLORENCE, Italy, Jan. s5.-SIR: wish
through you TO state to the members Of the Re-
publican party that my name will not be pre-
scented to the National convention called to as
semble in Chicago in June next for the nominal
ton Of candidates for President and Vlce-Presi-
dent Of the United States am constrained to
this decision by considerations entirely personal
to myself, Of which you were advised more than
year ago. But can not make the announce
ment without giving expression to my deep
sense of gratitude to the many thousands OF my
countrymen who have sustained me so long and
SO cordially that their feeling has seemed to go
beyond the ordinary political adherence OF fei-
low partisans and to partake somewhat OF per-
sonal attachment. For this most generous
loyalty Of friendship can make no adequate
return, but shall carry the memory OF it while
life lasts
Nor can refrain from congratulating the Re-
publican party upon the cheering prospects
which distinguish the opening Of the National
contest OF 1883 as compared with that OF 1885,.
In lss2 the Republican party throughout the
Union met with disastrous defeat. Ten
States that had supported Garfield and Arthur
in the election Of 1850 were carried l'y the DEM
Ocrats either by maiorities or pluralities. The
Republican loss in the Northern elections COM
pared with the preceding National election ex-
ceeied half q million votes, and the electoral
votes Of the Union, divided on the basis Of the
result Of 1889, gave to the Democrats over three
hundred Electors out Of q total Of 4Ol. There
was a partial reaction in favor OF the Re-
pub,icans in the elections OF 1853, but
the Democrats still held possession
Of seven Northern States, and on the basis OF
the years contest could show more than lGo
majority in the Electoral College Of the whole
country. But against tie encouragement natu-
rally following the adverse elections OF these
two years the spirit of the Republican party in
the National contest of 1884 rose high and the
Republican masses entered into the campaign
with such energy that the final result depended
on the vote OF single State and that State was
carried by the Democratic party by plurality
SO small that 1t represented less than one
eleventh OF one per cent. of the entire vote.
The elections Of 1856 and 1887 have demon
strated growing strength in the Republican
ranks. Seldom in our political history has q
party. defeated in a National election, rallied
Immediately with such viyOr rs have the Re-
pnblicans since 1854. No comparison is pos
sitle between the spirit OF the party in 1873
and its spirit in 1867. The two periods pre-
sent simply contrast-the one Of general de-
preston, the other Of enthusiastic revival.
Should the party gain, in the results OF 1853
over those Of 1851. in any thing like the pro-
portion Of the gain Of leS4 over 1888. IL would
secure one Of the most remarkable victories OF
its entire existence. But victory does rot de-
pend on SO large a ratio Of increase; the party
has only to maintain relatively its presage OK
1857 to give to its National candidates every
Northern State but one with far better pros
pect OF carrying that one than it has had for the
past six years.
Another feature Of the political situation
should inspire Republicans with irresistible
strength. The present National Adrninistra-
ton was elected WITH il not upon, the repeated
assertions OF its leading supporters in every
protection State that no issue on the tarih was
involved. However earnestly the Republicans
urged that question as the one OF controlling
the Democratic leaders and journals with per-
sistent evasion. conceaiment and denial That
resource the President has fortunately re-
moved.
The issue which the Republicans maintained
and the Democrats avoided in 1884 has been
prominently and specifically brought forward
by the Democratic President and can not be
hidden out OF sight in 1SSS The country is
now in the enjoyment Of the industrial system
which in quarter Of a century has assured
larger National growth, Il more rapid accumu-
laticn and o broader distribution Of wealth
than were ever before known to history. The
American people will row be only and for
maily asked to decide whether this system
shall be reck!essly abandoned and 4 new trial
made Of an Old experiment which has uniformly
led to National embarrassment and widespread
individual distress. On the result Of such IN
issue, fairly presented to the popular judgment,
there is no room for doubt. One thing only is
necessary to assure success-conplete harmony
snd cordial cooperation on the part of all Re-
publican>-on the part both OF those who aspire
to lead and of those who are eager TO fol-
low. The duty is not one merely OF hon
orable devotion to the party whose record
and whose aims are alike great, but it
is one demanded by the instinct OF self interest
and the still higher promp;ings OF patriotism.
closer observation Of the conditions OF life
among the older Nations gives one \ more in
tense desire that the American people shall
maze no mistake in choosing the policy which
inspires labor with hope and crowns it with
dignity. which gives safety to capital and pro-
teets its interests, which secures political
power to every citizen, comfort and culture in
every home.
To this end, not less earnestly and more d.
rectly as private citizen than as public can
dida,e, 1 shall devote myself with the confident
belief that the administration OF the Govern
ment will be restored to the party which has
demonstrated the purpose and the power to
WELD it for the unity and honor OF the Repub-
lie. for the prosperity and progress of the PEG
JAEEs G. BLAINE.
Whoever goes into any Of the large
ff.icc buildings down town will be certain
TO hear the music OF women's voices issuing
from the Office doors, will meet women
moving barehe ,ded through the hall ways,
and will see HIM At work at luncheon
through the open doors. They are private
secretaries, typewriters, s,eaogrsphers
and Cashiers. They earn from s. to <25 q
week, and are q well-dressed, comfortably
lot Of Young women, but very
many Of them indulge in the weakness OF
books to and from their offices,
long before school hours in the morning
and long after them IN the evening, as If
they are ashamed to have it suspected
that they work for living. The en-