Telegram-herald., 1891-12-24
BLAINE IS NOT RETIRED
He il simply Biding His Time 70
Announce
IHlr he WILL Be The CHIEfTly
In the Great Rase 70 BE Ran Gsxt Year.
HE Health Alone viii Dessroins
the Qassxisa-Sei King later
views she Chief.

MNsEAPoILs, Minn., Dec. 23.--col-
onel w. 3. King returned today frcm
his ten days trip to Washington and
gave the first correct version OF his
long interview with Secretary Blaine.
"It is true" he said, "that ] did have
. lengthy interview With Mr.. Blaine. as
stated, and of course the question. OF
his candidacy was the principal one
talked about. so far As could make 1t
so. But can't say that | have any
special Information as TO Mr.. Blaine's
plans and purposes"
''But he said something about the
Presidential matter, didn't he"
"Yes. good deal. In fact. he in
terviewed me more closely than you
newspaper men are apt TO do. He Eai
D enty of questions TO ask about the
political situation and condition IN
every state from Maine TO California.
There is no public man in America
who so thoroughly un lerstands every
phase and local condition of the poll
ties of every state between the Atlantic
and Pacific as Mr.. Blaine. He is thor
oughly inf formed in every detail, and
can not be deceived or misled by en-
tnusiasm or overpartial friends"
"What is his opinion or the probable
rcsult OF the next Presidential election,
Colonel%'
Biaine Was Evasivs.
ale did not express his opinion on
that point. He only asked for mine.
In fact, throughout the whole ineer-
view had to beg that be would answer
my questions instead Of me answering
his.
"Any and all talk, no mat ter from
what source it comes. that Mr.. Blaine
has decided or promised TO stand as =
candidate IS wholly unwarranted.
Equ ally, or even more, unwarranted is
any and all talk that Mr.. Blaine has
any arrangement ON agreement with
Mr.. Harrison or any other candidate
that his (Mr. Blalne's) name Is to ,be
used as cloak for the benefit of such
other candidate, and that Mr.. Blsine's
influence will, at the proper moment,
be thrown for such "a rty." 80
"But If Mr.. Blaine intends, under
anv circumstances, to be candidate
why does he not ayow himself such at
once?"
"Well, in the first place, even if all
conditions personal To himself favored
his candidacy, Mr.. Blaine would prefer
that no word of his should be used to
foreclose the most full and free d iscus-
sion as to the claims OF any other can
didate. If he should ever conclude or
consent to beco me candidate 1t would
only be when he was fully satisfied that
rfx ~ 4f, liz NJ
nous in his favor.
Only q Matter OF Health.
"Then, again, am thoroughly in
cllped to believe that Mr.. B aine wishes.
and is determined, to oe fully assured
in his own mind that his physical con-
dition will justify the acceptance OF a
position which, should he be elected,
would subject him not only to grave
public possibilities, but to the wear
and tear inevitable incident to the pres
idency. In my opinion this is the one
great and vital question which Mr..
Blame is now Considering"
"Then you are satisfied that if Mr..
Blame is strong enough to go through
| presidential tercl he will accept the
nomination.
"Yes; unreservedly, yes" replied
Colonel King <; "but. remember. | am
only giving you my own opinion, for
Mr.. Blaine made no such statement
during our conversation. But, from
what ne said, could not fail to see how
deeply, how profoundly, he had at
heart not only his ideas of the policy
OF reciprocity as thus far indicated
through his administration Of the state
department. but other great measures
winch he believes can and should be
| adopted for the extension of American
/ trade and influence throughout the
world.
"But no matter about all this. If Mr..
| Blaine feels that his health and strength
| will permit, and the sentiment Of the
| next republican national convention
shall with unanimity proclaim him its
candidate, he will assurediy accept"