Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-21

ESDAY, JULY Il. 1891
MR.. BLAINE AND THE PRESIDENCY
1t il Said That He Prefers to Remain at the
Head of the State Department.
THE PRESIDENT REPORTED As HAVING 4
THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF THE s1ruA-
TIoN-MR. BLAINE REPRESENTED As HAVING
ABANDONED ANY IDEA OF BEING CANDI-
DATE IN 1S92-H1s DEVOTION TO HIS FOREIGN
POLICY.
1t Is learned through reliable sources here
that Mr.. Blaine is gradually preparing to re-
sumo charge Of the State Department affairs.
As stated in The STAR yesterday, he now has
his private secretary with him and is getting
together the loose ends Of his work, which he
let drop SO suddenly when he was first taken
sick. 1t can hardly be said that he il actually
at work yet and the most he will undertake for
some time, II his health continues to improve,
will be merely in an advisory capacity, but he
is beginning to inform himself about the affairs
of the administration and to test his capacity
for work.
Some time ago, when he first began to feel
better, he sent for his private secretary to come
to Bar Harbor, but Mrs. Blaine and his doctors
opposed his burdening his mind with official
cares even to limited extent, and the private
secretary did not remain more than one day.
little less than week ago Mr.. Dent was sent
for again, and he has been with Mr.. Blaine
ever since. The reawaksning Of interest in his
work has not, it 10 said, retarded his recovery,
but, on the contrary, seems to be beneficial to
him. This being the case, it il believed that
he will be able to resume his former position
In the administration in the fall.
THE PRESIDENT AND HR. BLAINE.
Some Of Mr.. Blaine's friends declare, and the
President it Is said, has become convinced,
that the Maine statesman has abandoned any
idea he may have had of being q candidate in
80. Some of his friends believe that newsps-
pers friendly to Mr.. Harrison have given too
ready credence to alarming reports Of his
severe illness, especially with the knowledge
that his own nervousness on that point would
make him the first to take alarm. Mrs.
Blaine is opposed to his again being candidate
and he would not run any very great risk To
his health for the honor. 1t is said that he has
given evidence of . disinclination to permit
the use Of his name in connection with the
presidency. tits believed Mr.. Blaine has told the
President, in 30 many words, that he will not
be candidate. At all events, Mr.. Harrison IL
said to be satisfied that Mr.. Blaine will not op-
pose him. Mr.. HarrisOn's understanding of
the situation is that Mr. Blaine would be better
satisfied to be permitted to continue for an
other four years in the State Department and
to be allowed to carry out his own policy in his
nyvy xho,, 10 h o.
dency. Perhaps Mr.. Harrisonmay be willing
to give Mr.. Blaine greater latitude and to inter-
fere less with his foreign policy in the future,
II Mr.. Blaine in return will not stand in the
way Of his denomination.
DEVOTED TO HIS FOREIGN PROJECTS.
Mr.. Blaine's plans for the future Of this coun-
try from the point Of view of the State De-
partment are Of too great . magnitude to be
carried out to completion during the short
time left Of this administration. Mr.. Harrison
well that Mr.. Blaine 10 90 inter-
ested in this work that he will make any per-
sonal sacrifice necessary to carry it on. Hs
might abandon all ambition to be President 10
devote his time to the extension Of his foreign
policy or he might seek the nomination il the re-
election Of Mr.. Harrison would not open to him
the prospect Of being able to continue his work.
As between having Mr. Blaine for rival before
the convention and giving him full sweep for
his foreign policy, there can be but little doubt
which Mr.. Harrison's choice would be. Stats
tics on the trade between this country and al
those south of us which have been prepared
show quite . remarkable increase OF commerce
Curing the past two and . half years, being
greater each year. This and the fact that
there seems to be considerable promise Of
popular favor in the cry of reciprocity as an
Offset 70 the restrictions imposed ON COM
merce by the Mckinley bill, makes the Presi-
dent the more ready to adopt and make promi-
mont Mr.. Blaine's ideas.
WHAT MR. BLAME has SAID.
When the Home Market Club Of Boston gave
their great dinner last spring at which secre-
tary Tracy made his famous speech calling
forth so many cheers for Mr.. Blaine it was the
desire Of the club to have Mr.. Blaine himself
present. A committee waited on him with an
invitation. He replied that he did not have
time to attend. They were pressing and as an
inducement told him that he would make
many friends by appearing there and deliver
ing q speech on the subject of the extension
Of our southern trade.
II have no desire" he replied, ito make
friends in the sense you mean. shall never
have any use for them. When they could have
helped me they passed resolutions antagonizins
me. have now retired. I am back number.
With the work l have before me have no de-
sire to make friends in the sense you mean.
Why do not you invite President Harrison or
Mr.. Reed?''
The committee were not offended at this
plain talk, but all their arguments were use
less. He would not accept.
Shortly before he left for New York the last
time, just before his attack Of illness, he was
in conversation with an Illinois member of
Congress. He asked the member II there wa
any seriousness in the talk Of Culiom for tn o
presidency. The member said there was.
'Well," replied Mr.. Blaine, "many less
likely things than his nomination have oc-
CURED. believe that Mr.. Harrison will be re-
nominated, but IL he il not think some one,
like Cullom or Rusk, who Il near to the soil,
will be nominated"