The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-09
The One That Blaine Was Expected TO
Write While Harrison Roams
the West.
The Great Premier Much Annoyed
at Son Russ Presumptuous
Periodical
VIM. Henrys Grendson ViciOusiy Weld
ing Public Patronage for Selfish
Purposes, OHen VI We and Defensive.

WASHINGTON, May s.-When it ia consid-
cred how much, Ill times past, letter writ
ing has cost Mr.. Blaine, his present posi-
tion becomes one of especial interest and
significance.
His Mulligan letters. republished in 1876,
lost him the republican nomination for
president that year, and his Florence letter,
written abroad during the dlscouraging in
fiuence OF Illness made it impossible for
him to stand in 1888 for the nomination
which his friends were prepared to deliver
to him at that time almost without effort,
and now another letter is demanded.
The presidents friends insist that it must
be explicit and emphatic and most esre-
cially that it must be put ON paper and
given to the country at en- early day. They
want him not only to take himself out of
the Presidents way, but, at the same time,
to commit the whole Blaine following un-
reservedly to the presidents support.
On the other hand, the friends of Mr..
Blaine insist that he must write no letter of
any description; that he does not owe either
the president or the country letter on the
subject of the next presidential nomina-
ton of the party, but that every considera-
ton of propriety and common sense re-
quires that matters shall be allowed to take
the course which the unbiased sentiment of
the majority of the party may decree.
If that sentiment should in the end call
for the denomination of the president, we'll
and good, but if it should call for the nom-
ination of Mr.. Blaine he must be in a posi-
tlon unlike that which he occupied in 1888
to accept the purity leadership and make the
race.
The arguments of the Blaine people, as
at present presented, are both earnest and
aggressive. They assert boldly that the
president has made no impression on the
country which would serve the party as a
rallying cry in 1892, and that his renomina-
tlon therefore would be a blunder.
i he occasion, as they see it, will call for
the nomination of the strongest man that
the party can command, and he, III their
Judgment is Blaine. They insist that he
should not compromise himself or hamper
his friends by any expression, by letter or
otherwise, bearing on the work of the next
national convention, but should allow
events to be moulded by time and circupl-
stances. II
Everybody knows, they say, that Gen.
Harrison owes his nomination and for that
matter largely his election to MIR. Blaine in
1883, and everybody knows equally we'll
that Blaine is still the more popular and
capable man. The heart of the party is
with him and the fact cannot he concealed.
If it is true therefore that Mr.. Blaine is the
stronger man of the two he should be nom
mated. they urge, and if he is not nomi-
mated, the real reason must be given. As
the case now stands it is one of much en-
barrassment for Blaine. He does not relish
being lectured as to his duty by the friends
of the president and recent article pre-
tending to forecast his action touching the
next presidential race, which appeared in
publication in which the presidents son is
intert sted, gave him genuine offense. He
resents the impertinence and advice of men
who have never been his political supporters
and therefore have never shared his conf
dence and do not now understand the deli
cacy of his position.
I he best opinion here is that he is deter
mined on no announcement to the country
as 10 the presidency. Visiting republican
politicians all call on him. and those who
do not find time to come to Washington
write to him and give their views through
the medium of letters. The western states.
which are all Blaine states usually hold
their conventions early in the presidential
year. and the occasion is certain to be af-
torded Blaine to express himself on the
subject. 1t remains to be seen how he will
improve it.