The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-16
A POLITICAL STRAW.

Straws show the direction in which the
wind is blowing. There have been in the
last few days several Indications slight and
apparently unmportant in themselves. which
would seem to prove that Mr. Harri-
son and those Immediately associated with
him in Office are still very incredulous as TO
the sincerity of Mr.. Blaine's letter of decllna-
ton. Suspicion as to there be ne some sly
purpose lurking in this letter is plainly at
work in their minds. No other Interpretation
can be placed on the speeches which were de-
livered in Philadelphia on Saturday by the
Attorney General and the Secretary of the
Interior. the two members Of the Cabinet who
are popularity supposed to occupy tho closest
personal relations to the President having
been offered positions in tho Cabinet sim
ply because they were his intimate friends
The speech of the Attorney-G General on the
occasion referred to was in part an elaborate
eulogy upon the manner in which Mr. Harri-
son had performed all the duties of the presi-
dency. No intimaton Vas thrown out by
Miller as to whether Harrison was candidate
for eelecton, but the inference was irresisti-
BILE that a man who had 50 clearly demon
strated his ability to conduct the affairs of the
country should not be denied the honor Of
denomination as an expression Of grateful APP
probation of his eminent services.
Mr.. Miller did not stop at the wisdom which
had been displayed by the President. He
took up the different departments Of the
Government and showed to the satisfaction of
his hearers-who were prepared to listen with
credulous ears. being Philadelphia Republi-
cans that the administration was not only in
its head. but in its different members, one OF
the wisest, most patriotic and most efficient
that had ever sat around the council board in
the White House
In his enumeration Of the different Cabinet
officers and the excellent work which they had
performed. Mr. Miller. however. omitted all
reference TO Mr.. Blaine the premier of the
administration, and to the State Department,
the leading department in the Government.
Such an omission must necessarily have been
conscious and designed. Was the explanation
that Mr. Miller was unable to praise the
work Of Mr.. Blaine. or did he recognize that
to eulogize the Secretary Of State was to in
crease the prospect of his denomination. or
| NlQ ne simply WISH 10 hNOlu lue certainty OF
being compelled to observe the greater popu-
larity of Mr.. Blaine as compared to that of
Harrison by the louder applause which would
have greeted the slightest reference to the
Secretary Of State?
Whatever was his motive. he made no sllu-
sion to the work of the premier of the Presi-
dents Cabinet. To cause the omission to be
all the more pointed Secretary Noble who
spoke elsewhere in Philadelphia on the same
night, was equally reticent as to the name or
the achievements of the Secretary of State
This concert Of action would seem to Justify
but the one conclusion that neither the
President nor his closest friends place any
confidence in Mr.. Blaines announcement that
he has Withdrawn from the presidential race.
SEVERAL instances have recently come TO
light. both in Virginia and North Carolina. Of
parties being led by bogus advertisements