The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-24
THREE AMBITIOUS MEKl, r
Harrison, Blaine and Reed All Have
Strong Presidential Aspir-
ations.
Trials and Sights Put Upon thu
Premier by the Pres
ident.
Puffsd Up by Much self-Estesn, ~
President Bent ON . Second
Term.

j A0kus
NEw Yoax, July o3.-An occasional cor.
respondent Of the Herald writes that peper
as follows from Washington: Il needs but
q superficial survey Of the political and leg
islative situation to discover that the repub-
lican party II not, as formerly, harmoni-
ous whole. Indeed, that grotesque mem
aRerie which made Barnum famous was
much better exemplifcation Of happy
family. The riRors of discipline have
largely subordinated the rank and file to an
unwilling performance Of duty, but among
the leaders there Are l.tant fires of ieal1
ousy, antagonistic theories Of governmental
policy and political ambitions destructive
Of y. li.ical sympathy SO essential to parti-
san pN sperity and success. No argument
ID il. oessary to prove that individual dis
sensions and conflicts Of Judgment among
commandments tend to change the most
faithful army into disorganized mob.
Now, as ever, Blaine 10 the central figure
in republicanism. He is surrounded.
though, by an incongruous crowd having
few motives in consonanoe except the single
purpose Of pulling him down. Harrison,
as he looks anxiously toward second per-
iod in the white house, shudders ct the OH
DIAL presence Of the Maine man. There has
never been any love to waste between them.
Indeed, executive doings show plainly that
the leading member Of the presidents min
istry has the least influence in it. It is a
truth, too, that in this effort to degrade his
principal secretary Harrison does not No
ceive even the moral appreciation of the
formers numerous enemies
The president is recognized by them as
small man in q big place, who cannot add
to his own political stature by endeavoring
to pull down to his own level q brighter
man. As BEN Butler said Of himself, No
matter what else can be charged against
Blaine nobody ever accused him Of being
damned fool"
Why Blaine ever accepted the state port
folio 10 still mystery to his immediate
friends, the only solution being that with
keen prescience he saw the opportunity to
make Blaine more prominent. Another,
but of duller mind, saw it also, and az the
exaltation Of Blaine followed the president
wept.
A little further retrospect will show that
unity of purpose and harmony of views
never ne: did reign between the president and
came over the subject Of an extra session Of
congress. Blaine, his mind filled with Ito
project Of Americanizing America, wanted
congress in session to give eclat to the en-
tertaininent Of the foreign delegates to ar
rive during the interim, but the president
decided, after taking the advice Of Window
that he. could wait, and left his foreign 500
retary to shuttle along with his Pan-Ameri-
cans as best he could.
In the matter of appointments Harrison
invaded the state department as harsh
general invades an enemy's territory, and
Blaine found himself but an instrumentali-
ty to register the edlcts of the conqueror
and to parcel out the trophies of war to
presidential favorites. These favorites,
too. were In some instances the persistent
ture to their official commission, and failed
to notice the servant while giving thanks to
the master.
All through, disguise it as you will, the
trials OF the secretary Of state have been
hard, his humiliations deep, for he has
small mind could inhict. Such have been
the relations of the president and the for
eign secretary that. with portentous event
impending, the latter has been glad to, get
away from the field of duty to the seashore,
under the plea Of physical ill-being,. where
his mental anguish can be shrOuded under
the guise of bodily ailments.
Mr. Thomas h. Reed considers himself
the coming man in America. All his plans,
thoughts and acts are directed toward the
presidential succession in 1892. His meth
ods are the reverse of Blaine's. One at
through all the arts of persuasion, while
Reed Issues his edicts in the tone Of COM
maud and enforces obedience by the exer-
else Of arbitrary power. The latter, there
tore, fails to secure popularity even with his
reputed followers. It is doubtful, had the
house, whether he would have been
the accepted loader of his party in the
present congress-. He was prominent, it il
true, but more than one head was above the !,
level. and Butterworth, Cannon and others !
stood ready to dispute his right to pre-emi-
nent station. The victory rested with him
in the speakership contest from a combina-
tion of causes which it is not now neces-
sary to fehearse. It secured him that
prominence and position in politics which
crowded those in the lead and made them
lnlmical to his further advancement.
The most potential eneMy is Blaine, and
tradition must be overcome if Reed is NOM
mated for the presidency, for when the
votes are called for that of Maine will be
found in the pocket of the present secretary
OF state. A spontaneous demand for his
nomination must come from the country
large, as in. the house of his friends he will
be without recognition. Indeed, if Reed
goes to the next republican convention
ne will carry instructions to vote
for Blaine as the presidential nomi-
nee. Dislike of Blame, however, has
patched up a temporary union be-
tween the speaker and Harrison, and, al
though at the beginning of this congress he
walked into the white house with the tread
Of q dictator, the president has allied him.
seh to his political views in opposition to
those entertained and expressed by the SEQ
rotary of state.
Harrison had attained his mental growth
before he entered the presidential mansion.
No developments of mind or enlargement Of
therefore could result from
mis- new experiences. Forced to take Blaine
INTO his cabinet, he has never forgiven
he transaction. and his resentments have
lot been appeased to find the secretary Of
tate the dominant spirit in his official
amily. The president has more self es-
eem than intellect, and feels that he 10
deserving Of a second term in the white
lOuse.
These are three men who are most con-
picuous in the republican party to-day.
Ietween two of them there is an intense
ersonal hostility, and in addition there is
cordial dislike all around. All have POI
tical aspirations in the same direction and
70 mansuvering to reach the goal Of their
mbitiOns at one and the same time.
On the Ver0e 0f Riot