The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-04
BLAINE STILL A SPHYNX.
he REFUSES TO WHITE OR GIVE
OUT AN INTERVIEW.

Stephen B. Elkins the Latest Lieuten-
ant Sent Out by President Harrison
to Secure a Declaration From the
Secretary-The Negotiations Carried
on Very Diplomatically.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-Secretary Blaine
has refused TO write q letter or give an
interview at this time announcing that he
will not accept the nomination for Presi-
dent II it is rendered him. nor does he intend
to resign. He declines both the alterna-
tives offered him by President Harrison,
through first the mediation of a cabinet
officer and then the mediation Of Stephen
B. Elkins, who as ready-go-between In
these negotiations hopes to become a cabinet
officer yet, In spite Of all the DISCOURAGE
ment he has met
CARRIED ON VERY AUTOMATICALLY.
OF course these negotiations, which be-
gan week ago, have been carried on In a
most diplomatic manner. Both the Presi-
dent and the secretary carefully repressed
their personal feelings and desires aud talked
only about the good OF the party. PERSON.
ally they have had several conversations
on the subject, but most of the
negotiations have been carried on
through third parties, and especi-
ally through Mr.. Elkins as the mutual
friend. Although Secretary Blaine has re-
fused to leave the presidency TO the Repub-
lican party (and the nomination TO Presi-
dent Harrison) by declining or rasigning
the friends of President Harrison say that
the latter is satisfied with the outcome OF
the negotiations, because he has received
verbal intimations from Secretary Blaine
that at some future time, in good season,
before the convention meets, he will pub
licly decline TO accept the nomination.
WHY HE WILL DECLINE
He has been moved to this determination
they allege, by two things-frsb his be-
lief that with President Harrisons friends
stirred up against him, as they are, he
could not be elected and second, that In
spite of the physlcians certificate he had
published he does not think his health
would stand the campaigns strain. Obvi-
ously he cannot well give either Of these
reasons publicly. The reasons that be will
give, II be makes the alleged public an
nouncement, are not disclosed.
REASON FOR THE PosTPoNEmENT.
His reason for postponing his announce
ment is said to be his unwillingness to have
another presidential candidate, supposed to
be Maj. Mckinley, profit by it, his alleged
1hoOhg boluB pudb ny buo utLue ne makes MS
announcement President Harrison will have
gotten a majority OF the delegates. He
would much rather. it is alleged, have
President Harrison than Mai Mckinley
nominated, and takes this course to make
it certain that President Harrison will be,
The friends of Secretary Blaine laugh at
this speculation.
CONSIDERED NO REASONS AT ALI.
They say that Secretary Blaine's alleged
reasons for declining are no reasons at all.
and cannot have been entertained by him.
They say that the central fact In the situa-
tion Is the refusal of Secretary Blaine 30
come out and declare himself either by de-
clining, resigning or IN any other way, and
that in the absence Of any such public de-
claratlon from him his friends ali over the
country will be justified In going right on
as they are now doing electing delegates
for him. If public declaration does come
later on it will, they say, come too late to
be effective.