Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-06-21
is BLAINE A CANDIDATE?
Murat Halstead Thinks He
May Be Under One
Condition
The Secretary's Sickness Will
Not Affect His Public
Career
An Interesting Interview With
the the Famous Vet
eran Editor

Since the attack of illness with which
Secretary Blaine was seized while visiting
at the residence of his daughter, Mrs.
Walter Damrosch, in West Seventeen
street, several weeks ago, there has been
great anxiety manifested on the part of
the public to ascertain his exact condi
ton He was reported at one time TO be
seriously i'll, and again to be so much i'm
proved that there was talk of his early
departure for Washington to resume his
duties in the state department or of a
journey to Bar Harbor, where it was
hoped he might build up his constitution,
which, it was admitted, had been much
impaired by overwork and the response
bilities that had recently devolyed upon
him in connection with diplomatic Ques-
tiOns arising out Of the Italian incident at
New Orleans, the Boring sea controversy
and other important matters.
The doctors bulletins as to the condi-
tion of the distinguished patient though
of an assuring nature, were not entirely
satisfactory, failing as they did to enter
into any details as to his general physical
and mental condition. In view of the in
terest being aroused in the approaching
presidential contest it became especially
Interesting and even important to know
what effect, if any, Mr.. Blaine's illness
might have on his candidacy for the Re-
publican nomination. Would he accept,
and IL 50, was he physically able TO en-
dure the fatigueS OF a presidential can
vass? These were questions of great
moment TO many politicians of both
parties
With a view of ascertaining, from a
trustworthy source, just what Mr.. Blane's
condition is, and what the probable
chances Of his entering upon the race for
the presidency are, representative of the
New York World called upon Editor Mu-
rat Halstead, OF the Brooklyn Standard
Union. He has long enjoyed the warm
personal friendship Of Mr.. Blaine. While
for many years editor OF the Cincinnati
Commercial Gazette before he removed to
Brooklyn. Mr.. HaStead's relations with
Mr.. Blaine We're of very intimate char
.acter, and he has always proclaimed him
self q strong admirer of the Magnetic
Man from Maine No one is probably
better acquainted with the personal char
.acteristics of the secretary than Mr. Hal
stead, aud what be says on the subject of
Mr.. Blaine's health and political pros
poets will be read with more than Ordi-
mary interest. So far as Mr.. HalStead
touches upon those questions in which
the public are so deeply interested with
says may be accepted as absolutely cor
rect
The conversation which occurred between
the New York World reporter and the
veteran editor, is reproduced verbatim as
ollOws;
ALL MR.. BLAINE NEEDS Is REST
'Mr. Halstead, the World wants to
know what you know and your views OF
the state of the health of Mr.. Blaine. es-
pecially whether there Is anything in It
that threatens the continuance OF his
public career?n
II am not an expert in matters Of health
or questions of sickness, and have not
that intimacy with Mr.. Blaine which
would warrant me in undertaking to speak
with anything like an approach to author
aty in respect to his case"
You have seen Mr.. Blaine recently,
have you nOt?''
81 saw Mr.. Blaine after his arrival in
New York and before his illness, but have
not seen him since. | have not desired to
disturb him. My view of treating him
with the greatest consideration is to re-
frain frOil pressing myself upon him or
putting myself in the way of seeing him
know enough about him to be sure that
what he especially needs Is rest, and talk
ing by the hour on most interesting and
exciting things such as would come up
between US, would not be restful for Mr..
Blaine. II would assist the public to I'M
derstaad Mr. Blaine better than il seems
off IL could realize that he Is man of
very delicate and sensitive organization,
which Is at the same time tenacious and
elastic and backed by constitution that
IS surprisingly strong and full Of resources.
He Is, in sense, an intense man-hears
aud sees and realizes all there is. He is
affected by influences that would not make
an impression upon man of heavy and
dull material Mr.. Blaine has the tenn
perameEt OF genius. His hard work is
costly 10 him"
you do not credit the stories that he
has been much more dangerously III than
the public has been adYised?"
Il am sure he has not. | have reason
TO believe, know. that the members of
his family have dealt with the public very
frankly from the beginning of the illness
that has excited so mucn concern. They
have been pretty sorely tried by the iunu-
merable calls they have received and the
discrimination to which they have
been subjected at all times Of the day and
night They have been uniformly polite
and communicative because they have APP
preciated the great public interest in Mr.
Blaines condition and the necessity of
satisfying it.
There are details of sick rooms that
they have felt 10 was not worth while to
talk about. This is a matter Of good
taste. One may recall many instances in
which many things have been sent forth
from sick rooms that added nothing to the
general Information, and were simply
needless and offensive. There has been
nothing Of this sort i'm the case of Mr..
Blaine, and the proper reserve as to talk
ing OF tncOnsequent matters Is the only
restraint that there has been in the giving
out of intelligence No reasonable In
quiry has been made without clear an
Swer. AT first some of those who were
seeking to satisfy the public as to Mr..
Blaine's condition felt it their duty TO in
quire into prescriptions given him by
physicians, and enterprise would probably
have carried them even further There
was nothing to tell of moment during the
was not given"
What about the story Of Mr.. Blaine
being mentally wreck?'
THAT unngt haNa haap ,o1J -bl,o1,.g