Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-25

sioN-MR BLAINE POLITICAL FORTUNES CAN.
NOT BE AFFECTED EITHER WAY.
The trouble in the worlds fair management
over the plan for Central and North American
exhibits submitted by Mr.. Vim. E. Curtis was
totally unexpected. and there were many ex-
pressions of surprise among parties interested
that any one should have sprung such an un-
warranted assumption as that which accused
Secretary Blaine of endeavOring to use the
worlds fair to further his political and per-
sonal fortunes
II am very much surprised" said Mr. Curtis
to STAR reporter this afternoon. ito learn
that any one has been able to discover politics
in the plan for a Latin-American department
at the worlds fair and do not see how it can
be construed that way. The plan was submit
ted to the House committee on world fair last
winter and stood the scrutiny of such demo-
Gratis as Mr.. Flower, Mr.. Springer, Mr.
Wilson OF West Virginia and Mr.. Hatch of Mis-
souri,, by whom it was unanimou ously indorsed. 1t
then went through the Senate committee also,
position committee, of which Mr.. Mckenzie of
Kentucky was the chairman, and was unani-
mously approved by them. Next it was con-
sidered at length by the committee on foreign
affairs OF the Chicago local board, Of which
Mr.. W. L. Baker, democrat, is chair
man, and then by the corresponding COM
mlttee OF the national commission, of which
ex-GOv. Waller of Connecticut, also democrat,
is acting chairman, and such good democrats
as A. A. Wilson, President Cleveland's marshal
OF the District OF Columbia. Ex-Governor Penn
OF Louisiana, and Mr.. Charlton H. Way of Geor-
gia, who was consul general to Russia under Mr..
Cleveland, are members. These gentlemen
studied the plan with the closest care, and
unanimously adopted it without the change
Of a word or a letter or q punctuation mark
What Is the matter with Mr.. Thatcher"
''MR. THATcHERs M1sAPpnEHENs1oN
I cannot understand. He is o good friend
Of mine, and when saw him in Chicago last
Thursday he had nothing to say against the
plan. On Sunday, however, he wrote me q
very pleasant friendly letter, which received
this morning, saying he regretted he was COM
PEELED to oppose the report of the committee on
foreign affairs, because he did not think the
commission ought to place its official seal upon
what many regard as plan to further the pO-
Ltcal fortunes Of the present Secretary of State.
! telegraphed him in reply this morning as fol-
lows:
"'Your remarks as reported in morning papers
are founded upon misapprehensiOn. The only
object OF my plan Is to secure the fullest posi-
BILE representation of the South American re-
publics at the exposition. 1t will be carried
into effect by army and-slavy officers selected
for their scientific attainments, who will
work under the direction Of Commissioner
Waller OF Connecticut, and Director Baker of
Chicago, both democrats. All Mr.. Elaine can
do will be TO assign the army and navy commits
sioners as attaches Of the several legations and
furnish them proper credentials. If nv con-
nectlon with the plan is an obstacle to its adop-
tion, will retire at once in favor Of any person
you may name."
what, in short is your plan?'
"My suggestion is to send an army or a navy
officer as a commissioner to Mexico and to each
OF the Central and South American countries
for the purpose Of interesting the governments
and the people Of those countries in the ex-
the United States legations down there.
When they have made their collec-
tions they will bring them to Chicago,
arrange them according to their classifications,
and at the end of The exposition send them
home. 1t is to be hoped that most Of the other
send commissioners to Chicago"
IT CAN'T AFFECT MR. BLA1NE's FORTUNES.
"How does all this affect Mr.. Blaine's politi-
cal fortunes?''
"Lcannot see. He has nothing to do with
the scheme except to designate the army and
navy commissioners as attaches to the several
United States legations and sign their creden-
tials. He had nothing TO do with the prepara-
tion of the plan, and do not believe he ever
read it but once. and that was when I
submitted it for his approval. Mr.. Blaine
takes great interest in everything that may
possibly promote our trade with the other Amer
lcan nations, and he wants to see them all we'll
represented at the exposition. Mr.. Thatcher is
the first and the only man who has ever seen
anything of political character or purpose in
the plan. With me it is labor Of love. am
working without compensation and with only q
small allowance from the Chicago local board
for expenses, but see in the exposition the
first opportunity that will occur for years to
bring about better acquaintance between the
American republics, and am willing to give my
services to the cause"