New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-24
SECRETARY BLAINE IN TOWN..
NOTHING POLITICAL ABOUT HIS VISIT.
he HAS COME WITH MRS. ELAINE TO GEE HIS
GRANDDAUGHTER AND HAVE HIS
EYES EXAMINED.

Secretary Blaine came to this city from Washing
| ton yesterday afternoon. Mrs Blaine was with him.
They arrived at the Fifth Avenue Hotel about O'Clock
last evening. A crowd OF people, mostly politicians
and newspaper men, in the lobby awaiting their
arrival The Secretary and Mrs. Blaine entered the
hotel By the ladies' entrance the Broadway s'de
of the building, and took the elevator furthest from
the clerks desk But two sharp observers
caught glimpse of the statesman's familiar face, ana
In a moment the OF his arrival was all over
the corridor. The space in front # the elevators was
quickly crowded. and before Mr.. and Mrs Blaine were
able to get board the car half hundred persons
at least were able to say that they had him, and
all secmed to be pleased with his appearance. lie
looked trine tired after his long Journey but other
wise appeared 10 be in excellent health and splits.
This impression confirmed by the way he acted
i'm the presence OF delegation Of reporters who called
upon him In his rooms shortly after his arrival.
After the secretary and Mrs Blaine had been con-
ductcd to their rooms Nos. 30, "a and % OF the
second floor, the Secretary consented to see the
newspaper men who had gathered I'm force in the hotel
corridors Forty or fifty OF them accepted the invita-
ton including men from nearly all the city news
papers and the correspondents Of many out-oftown
Journals The invitation was accepted with the
understanding that there was to be no extended
interview and that the Presidential question was
not to be- touched upon.
Mr. Elaine was found standing in the centre OF the
room OF his suite which will be- used for dining
purposes during his visit and beside the table spread
with Il white cloth upon which bis meals VIII De
seryed He was dressed In plain black. his Prince
Albert coat being buitoned up and showing to ad-
vantage hl, trim and welknit frame. AS Mr.
Rlalnc's glance swept over the eager faces OF his
VISITORS after they had ranged themselves around hifh
the spokesman Of the party said
Mr. secretary. you before you the represent
ativc, OF about 400 newspapers, more or less
Mr. Blaine bowed coureousy, and the spokesman
continued We would like t. know II you would be
lnd enough u tell the object OF your visit to New
Yor,-T
After YOU have introduced me to these gentlemen
shall be glad to do so,' Mr. BimDe ahs"erco' VIII"
slight inclination TO smile
Tho ceremony OF Introduction was performed Ihc
Secretary took the hand of each man as he was pre-
s.nt.d His own hand might be called rnther coid'
but hi, grasp was firm IL was a decade ago. ana
was given with tho oldtinie pressure His face was
pale but TO than IL has been In recent years
Ills voice throughout the interview, 1t was OBSERVED
was strong. full and resonant.
When all present had been introduced and the first
oucstlon had been repeated, Mr.. Blaine said Really
| am here on no matter Of public Importance came
over for three or Of purely personal and
prvatc nature which would not interest you. There
is no public side TO my visit whatever
Nr Blaine wa, asked II hc had not come 70 nave
hi, eve, examined. had been reported
Ye>." was tho reply. that was one reason. MOI
TINT my have been trOuDlng III" 50 very W"'"'
,uch i, not the case. But am going TO have them
car,llly examined by Of the best ocuiSS In New
York. II they can be- improved, OF course, want II
done"
And your granddaughter. You came to see her
~Ycs-partly That was one of the things that
brought me-
MIR. secretary. the afternoon papers say that yon
had long Interview with the President before You ieit
Washington to day Could you tell me anything about
that y
Mr.. Blaine almost clucklcd. Well. now,' he said
if wclr to tell yOu about that. you would ma II
very incrc,t!ngr ut he plainly had no intention OF
doing this and made his refusal by looks rather thah
v,nr,s Then he added Il at the White House
only ab ut half an to-day. and what occurred was
really OF no consequence whatcNer'
The Secretary had been standing erect ana MS
well poised head and easy manner and gestures gave
no suggestion Of a man whose health was dc>parri
~ or who Imagined that his constitution waS shattered
Ills whole bcnrlng and his natural and accustomed
attitudes made a strongly opposite imrression
Mr. Rlninc said ns his callers Were about to take |
their leave and | mean 10 do 30, | assure |
Won that my visit has political or puohc import
whatever As have said | came here wholly on |
private business -, ,.- ~,
Tx senator Plati was not in the hotel when Mr. |
ploIn. arrived lie out spending the evening |
~, did NOT como in until late and consequently did |
NOT meet the Secretary. They will meet, however, |
this morning.