The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-29
Chief TOPIC DISCUSSED.
1t Was the Appearance OF Blaine
at the Funeral of Mr..
Plumb.
Tho Premier Looked Older, Thin
ner and Grayer Than
Ever Before.
His Face as Impassive AS Ever, but He
Certainly Appeared to Be in
Poor Health.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.---rhe chief politi-
cal topic on the floor and in the galleries Of
tho senate chamber on Il recent afternoon
was not Speaker Crisp and his committees
and his policies (although he WAS con-
spcuous sitting for the first time at the
side of the vice president and McMillin and
Springer, his two leaders, were conspicu-
ous on the hoor). but the relations between
Blaine and Harrison, and incidentally the
personal appearance of Blaine.
When the president and his cabinet-or
rather three of the secretaries and the as
sstant secretaries representing the rest
appeared at the entrance and everybody
arose, it was observed that Blaine's left
hand just rested in the presidents right
arm. and that the president seemed to be
much more anxious to support the secre-
tary than the secretary seemed anxious to
be supported.
As they moved slowly down the main
aisle toward the big. red stuffed chairs re-
served for them, on the right OF the presid-
seemed to everybody to look older, thinner
and grayer than at any time since his re-
turn to Washington.
After they were all seated Harrison half
turned his back to Blaine, who sat next to
him on his left, and neither spoke to the
other during the pause before the proceed
ings began. Neither seemed to be in a
talkative mood, although Blaine responded
to some questions which Postmaster Cen
eral Wanamaker, who sat next to him, ad-
dressed to him.
During the half hour that they were sit
ting there Blaine's face was carefully
studied by everybody in the chamber who
could see him. It was as impassive as it
always is when he does not want it to be
otherwise but there can be no doubt that
he looked worse than he has been looking
recently. 1t was commented upon by
everybody-by his friends regretfully, and
by the friends of Harrison with something
that was not regret.
The fact is that Blaine, who is alwa Va
startled when any prominent public man
dies. because it brings home the fact of
death 30 att ongly to himself, was particu-
larly shocked and shaken by the sudden
mesa with which Senator Plumb departed.
He knew Plumb very Ball and saw him
quite frequently, and although he had prob
ably heard him speak about the change in
his physical condition, he still regarded
Plumb as one of the most vigorous men in
public life and as likely to outlive him by
many years.
Everyone who knows how sensitive Blaine
is about death will realize how the shock of
Plumb's sudden taking off would affect his
health.
The hopes of the Harrisonians as to the
formal withdrawal by Blaine from the
Presidential race were raised, again. in
spite of the fact that President Harrison
had not had one syllable of intimatiom
from Secretary Blaine which would warrant
such hope.
Harrison's own idea, it is said, is that he
will have to wait for declaration of inten-
tions until Blaine makes his speech at the
Merchants Association dinner at Boston
next month. He still expects that Blaine
will withdraw-either on account of his
health, or because he thinks he cannot be
elected.