The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-28

The old talk about rivalry between Blaine
and Harrison for the Republican presidential
nomination is being revived, and if published
accounts can lie relied on the relations be-
tween these two aspnauts are daily becoming
more strained Blaine is recognized as vastly
the leading man, so far as ability and states
manship 90, in his party, and for that reason
he has a large following who are earnestly on
deavorng to induce him to publicly consent
TO accept the nomination. He is hesitatiug,
no doubt. because he feels that TO openly an
tagonize the President while holding "a posi-
ton in bis Cabinet would be IN bad taste. 10
say the least, but the fact that he is hesi,ating
at all and refuses to reply to the requests of
bis fnonds by emphatically declining the
proAered honor and Withdrawing finally from
the field naturally las q tendency 10 excite
the jealousy of Harrison against him.
But while Harrison feels that he has lust
cause Of resentment against Lis Secretary Of
State for thus tacity antagonizing him,
Blaine feels and with justice, that he has much
greater cause Of complaint against the Pres-
dent. Every one who. has kept pace al al
with current political events knows full We'll
that Blame Is the author ana father of the
reciprocity clause in the Mckinley bll-the
only feature in the measure which keeps
II from being wholly niquitous. 1t Is well
known also that reciprocity with tho Pan
American governments has long been Mr.
Blaine's special hobby and it is also equally
well known that it WAS he who when tie Nc
Kinley bill, without containing anyrecprocIty
provision whatever. was being discussed in
the House, suggested the prime Importance
Of reciprocity clause being inserted therein
With his long headed ssgacity and political
smewdness he knew that without this re-
deeming feature the bill would certainly ruin
his party. Yet, Notwithstanding tins. the
House refused to listen 10 him and originally
passed the bill without TIE reciprocity clause.
and al the time President Harrison gave 10
sign or lntlmaton, by message or otherwise.
that lie considered such a clause advisable
IL will also be further remembered that when
the bill came 10 the Senate for It's action re
cprocity amendment was for the first time
mentioned, and Was only adopted after long
discussion. Still during al that time Mr.
Harrison had not one word to say or one idea
to suggest
No wonder, then. that Mr.. Blaine feels re-
sentiment now, after reciprocity has become
incorporated into the Mckinley law and has
been proven 20 be tho only popular feature
Of that law. that President Harrison should
step in and try 10 steal his thunder by claim
ing all the credit for it. The only claim that
the President has any right to at all is that he
suggested that reciprocity contracts" might
be entered into merely by executive act with
out being submitted 10 the Senate. Blame.
III al likelihood however. is perfectly willing
for him to claim this, rs he )Blaine) Is fully
aware that these so-caled contracts" are
nothing more nor less than treaties, and that.
in case being made, they are likely to be
inyalidated by the United States Supreme
Court on the ground that they are unconsti- |
tutonal. since the fundamental law of the |
land plainly requires that all foreign treaties |
shall be ratified by two-thirds' majority Of the |
Senate
1t is a very pretty quarrel as il stands, and
Democrats can afford TO watch it with perfect
complacency. Whether Blaine kill Harrison
or Harrison kill Blaine. or they each do kill
the other. every wsy makes Democratic gam.