Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-17
BLAINE NOT A CANDIDATE.
Harrison is Consequently Happy--rhe
Secretary May Soon Declare Himself
Out of the Race--Eikins for the War
POrtfoliu.

Harrison is Consequently Happy.-The
Secretary May Soon Declare Himself
Out of the Race--Eikins for the War
Portfolio.
| WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 9.-"You will
not be kept long in suspense" was Secre-
tary Blaine's reply to an old friend now in
the House OF Representatives who went to
HIM yesterday and claiming the privileges
| OF friendship, asked him the direct cues
ton, Would you accept nomination il
it was rendered your
He told Blaine strong personal reason
| which moved him to seek earnestly and
even anxiously q direct answer to his
| question.
Blaine admitted that his friendship gave
him the right to nsk, and his circumstan-
ces the right TO press that question, but
said:
~ cannot answer it now, but l can say
to you that you will not be kept long in
| suspense
This appears to be more than Blaine has
said to anybody, Harrison included, about
his intentions. Still there is no doubt that
Harrison expects public declaration Of
lSlalne's purpose respecting the nomina-
and perhaps before Christmas.
IL is equally certain that he expects
Blaine to say that he will not accept the
nomination il it is rendered HIM. The
curious fact which indicates the Pres-
dents expectations was the announcement
to-day that the nominations of the nine
new circuit judges, the two interstate com
mefce commissioners, the court of claims
| Judge and others of Importance which
were to have been sent to the Senate to
morrow, would probably be withheld for
the present.
It was evident to the well-informed
that these appointments were to await the
decision and declaration of Blaine, which
might seriously affect them. The ambition
of Elkins 70 get q cabinet portfolio, even If
| II IS only that of war instead of that Of the
interior has moved him to take a yery
active part as mutual friend in the current
negotiations between Blaine and Harrison
| which have induced the former to say that
he will declare his intentions as to the
nomination.
Not content with working on Harri-
sons gratitude for the services so far rem
dered by him in this connection, Elkins
has apparently induced Blaine to ask Har.
rison for the war portfolio for him, and
Elkins has sent Russell Harrison down
from New York to say to his father that
Elkins feels sure that ii Elkins is promptly
appointed secretary of war, Blaine's dec
laratlon OF intentions will be forthcoming
Immediately.
Bloine, Of course, did not say so, to Har-
TO Harrison that Blaine said so to him, in
asmuch as he wanted him so much in the
Cabinet. There can be no question that
Elkins has his hand on the Secretaryship
of War and that this time ut least lie ex-
poets no slip 'twixt cup and lip.
ELKiNs FOR SECRETARY OF WAR.
The correspondent of the New York
Mat and Express gives ont the following
story, upon what he says is the best posi-
BILE authority;
Within the last 81 hours Secretary Blaine
and President Harrison have had a most
important conference, and it is stated that
one of the chief topics discussed was the
coming appointment of Secretary of
War
Mr.. Blaine is reported to have told the
resident that the appointment of MIR.
stephen D. Elkins to the vacancy would be
most eminently satisfactory to him and at
the same time be good appointment for
the country.
IN connection with this interview Mr..
Bialne's friends now say that if Mr. Elkins
gets the war portfolio it will be closely
followedby public announcement of Mr..
Blaine of his retirement from the Presi-
dental race in ,02.
MR.. BLAINE NOT CANDIDATE.
:, Tins Is confirmed by the fact that Mr.,
Blaine has Mt last spoken on this subject.
In conversation with friend within the
last week he distinctly stated that he was
not now and would not be candidate for
nomination at Minneapolis next June, rs
stated in the Mil and Express last week,
This was the plan Mr.. Blaine had adopted
in place of card, but it isnow again made
public in rumor shape that Just before the
new, year Mr.. Blaine will issue u letter, al
ready carefully prepared, giving his rea-
sons for retiring, and strongly declaring
m no uncertain words in favor of Mr..
Harrison.
HARRISON THE MAN.
Then when in reality '92 is ushered in
there will be but one candidate before the
Republican party.
Yet there is a feeling among the senators
that 4 man % he selected by The President
for his cabinet is not MIR Elkins, but ey.
Governor Cheney of New Hampshire. His
name l. still really the only one mentioned
by gossip, but the fact is the President has
not intlmatcd to any one his preference
and the delay in sending in the name il
due 70 the fact that the President has not
vet decided on his choice, The recent in
teryiews may hasten the nomination.
ELETELINI NOT 4NyTpTt2