Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-02-25
BLAINE is The CAUSE.

tion Of the Republican Leagues More
Than LIKELY.
MINNEAPOLIS, February PA few
days ago rumor was started that since
Blaine's withdrawal there was possibility
of the Republican State League disband-
ing. Is is now strong probability. The
news came TO light this morning, and the
Republicans are in turmoil Of excitement
in consequence. The league organization
of the entire country is believed to be in
volved. 1t isnow openly declared by prom
inent members that the organization will
nominate Blaine or 90 to pieces. President
Byrnes is in New York consulting the Ma
tional Executive Committee Of the league,
and the decision there arrived at will
determine the fate of the organization.
The actual state Of affairs was suspected
when it was noticed few days ago that
there had been many ominous and mystic
rious whisperipgs circling about among the
good Republicans of Minneapolis. Secret
messages were received from st. Paul, and
secret meetings were held at the headquar-
ters of the Republican State League in the
Union League rooms. Flying trips in and
out of Minneapolis have been made by Ger
tain politicians from various parts of the
State, and great care was taken that their
names did not appear on the registers OF
the hotels, and that inquisitiye reporters
did not pry into their mission here. All Of
this meant something, but from the closed
mouths of Republican leaders came no in
timation.
Now the secret is out. 1t came on the
open admission Of an official that unless
Blaine was the candidate Of the party he
could not be counted upon for money or
influence. From this came the bold asser-
tion that the movement which eliminated
in founding Republican clubs all over the
country and uniting them in State leagues
was Blaine move pure and simple, and
that ii had received its death blow in the
recent letter of the Maine statesman. The
hand Of Blaine was apparent in every step.
In the initial movement in New York in
December Blaine dominated the conven-
ton and Blaine men controlled and direct
ed every step aud became the officers of the
organization. In Minnesota the presence
of the spirit of the Plumed Knight was
still more apparent, the actors being bet
ter known. The Minneapolis convention
was for Blaine, and few but Blaine
delegates succeeded in Crowding their way
in. Warily the aims and objects were
concealed, but the mention of Rlaine's
name drew ont torrent OF applause. To
avoid suspicion the statement was made
over and over again, and then repeated,
that this organization was in the interest
o. no candidate whatever. 1t was, in fact,
so thoroughly dinned into the public ear
that its sincerity was questioned even by
Republicans before the meeting was fairly
organized The subsequent proceedings
were all Blaine, down to the election Of
officers, and even the committees were
carefully constructed on Blaine basis. In
the latter the fine work of certain local
candidates was also made apparent, and it
is to the opposition on that score that the
present revelation is largely due.
The Blaine letter came. 1t fell upon
the league like a thunderbolt. All the
work of organization seemed in vain.
Then came the question, What shall the
league do under the circumstances? Or
ganized for Blaine, cflicered for Blaine,
and with delegates whose expenses had
been paid, where should the influence of
the league be thrown9 The Minnesota
men were nonplused and an open rupture
threatened on the spot. All through last
week there were indefinite rumors of talk,
trouble and dissensiOD, but the cause was
never shown, from the fact that it was at
tributed to other matters. 1t was known
that there generally ives McCiilland anti
McGill fight, and locally there was some
little disagreement on the matter of solid
/ front for Loren Fletcher for Congress, but
the real trouble underlay all this, and was
caused by the Blaine letter. Prominent
men declared they would give no money
unless for Blaine, while others maintained
it was the duty of the league as good Re
publicans, TO support and labor for the
Blaine legatee, whoever it might be. II
has leaked out that in the trouble there
was considerable danger of immediate dis
solution of the organization, when in the
midst of it came notification from head
quarters in New York of meeting of the
| Executive Committee. As this was sup
posed TO have some bearing on the matter
in dispute, hostillties were suspended, tenn
porarily, to await action there.