The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-05
BLAINE.

Russell's Frank Leslie's Newspaper says
it, and all the editors of foreign missions
and rural postofiices echo the cry. Just
now the organs are reproducing the
latest official utteranee of son Russells
New York Newspaper to this effect:
When MIR. Blaine was called to the most
important place in the cabinet, he wrote in
reply to the presidents letter rendering the
appointment (Which letter clearly outlined
the Presidents views) a statement that
distinctly implied in the ~clearest terms IN
questioned and undyine fealty to the head
OF the administration, and by no act, word
or intimation has Mr.. Blaine at any time
since left his loyalty open to the slightest
suspicion.
This is equivalent to declaration that
MI. Harrison holds a mortgage on
Blaine, just as John Wanamaker holds
one ON the president thro ugh having
contributed 100000 to secure MI. Har-
rison's election. But the boldness of
son Russell's avowal of the fact is au in
dication that the situation is getting
desperate for the president and that he
intends to force Mr.. Blaine into an early
and unequivical declaration. Mr.. Has
rison is not a far-seeing and sagacious
statesman, but, when his personal for
tunes are at stake, he is shrewd enough
to detect when he is skating on thin ice.
lie reads the newspapers and he knows
the popular drift as well as any man.
.If three-fourths OF the delegates to
the Republican National convention
said Senator John P. Jones of Nevada
the other day, Should &c to the conven-
ton next year pledged to Mr.. Harrison,
! believe that Mr.. Blaine would carry
off the nomination. The tide is too
strong for Nh. Blaine to be checked.
Yes, Mr.. Harrison is a candidate for a
second term. He can hardly keep his
clothes on in his anxiety to get the nomi-
nation. But, nevertheless, | believe
Mr.. Blaine will be the man. Personally,
] am not much of a Blaine man. I only
give my opinion as tho result OF careful.
observation and inquiry among the
people. l have made 1t a practice to ask
cab-drivers, conductors, bootblacks and
men in easy walks of life that / meet as
/ travel about the country what their
political preferences are, and almost the
-invariable reply is: You bet your life ]
am for Blaine,' or Jimmie Blaine's my
choice, or Jim Blaine is the boy They
all sing the same song. 1t is wonderful
the hold Blaine has upon the people. Il
10 r1on1ncr IN IN~- ~ ln1,~,,~ fr~r-
the present indications that Mr..
Blaine will be compelled tic
take the nomination next year
1t is preposterous to suppose that a maj
by becoming a member of the cabine
loses his individuality and emaseulate:
himself politically. The cabinet posi-
items are created by law, and their du
hes are clearly defined by the statutes
If the president expects the secretary O
state or secretary of the treasury, or an
other member Of his cabinet, to sink a
ofshis own personality and defer entirel
to the president, he is very foolish. NJ,
Blaine has just as much right TO ente
thefield against Mr.. Harrison and ST.
retain his place in the cabinet as | hay,
1t will be no breach Of propriety on tn
part of Mr.. Blaine to do So"
President Harrison undoubtedly ha
read this and many similar interview
He has read Foraker's speech for Blain
atIthe meeting of the republican leagu
of clubs, and he knows that his one pla
is to make Blaine show his hand. II
snow making that play. The ~otTensiy
language in which the editorial artiel
in son Russelrs New York newspaper
couched is calculated to force Mr.. Blain
to one of two alternatives declar
that he is under no obligation to get OF
OF Mr.. ~Harrison's way, leave the cabine
and become IN ayowed candidate fc
the presidency; or to say definitely TIA
he Is not a candidate. Says the S.
Louis Republic:
Whether or not Mr.. Blaine signed q omit
claim on the presidency i'll consideration c
the place he now holds; whether or not b
bargained away all claims to leadership, IL
fact that he can be thus meuaced public!
in the paper openly conducted by the pres
uehb y Bull, anu lluS tuFealSn6u WIN EeI8
enoe to his letter of "undying ~fealty" nei
by the president, shows III what contemi
the president holds him and how sure he
of the subsection and weakness of the ma
who Vas once "the plumed knight with
'.shining lance and all that.
Whatever is TO be thought of their prer
Uses, the HarrisonE are right in their 60
Rion. Mr.. Blaine is a broken man. Il
days OF dictatorship are over. "Stat nomin
nmbra." He is q name and nothing MOI
The force is gone out of him. His cunul
tive weaknesses have overcome him. He
left fit only for "~rndying %fealty'' to ii
father of Russell Harrison, and even Iu
sell Harrison can lout him as the Vasa
and s~ervitor of the family.
We think think this IS a mistake
view Of Mr.. Blaine's condition and DO:
ton, and that he Is in the hands of b
friends. But the game of the Harriso1
to force him off the track is transpa
ent. The New York organ and Il
Helena organ have clumsily given aw;
the snap.
Ey SEN Arnp Rrkr. >'c u,,a,ro1o, /