Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-04
GOSSIP AT MINNEAPOLIS.


How tho situation Looks to the Leaders
Today.
MINNEAPOLIS, MIMI, June 4.-The friends Of
President Harrison, such Of the delegates on
the ground as were elected in his interest and
who retired last night serene in the belief that
another day would dispose Of what little had
been manifested Of the Blaine movement,
awoke this morning in the flesh. They also
awoke in the spirit to realize that 'politics il
mighty uncertain" Less than twelve hours
ago they were certain that the Blaine move
ment would collapse, if not from inherent
weakness, then certainly from generally ac-
cepted conclusion based upon his own state
ments that the Secretary of State could not
and would not ever again undertake the labor
and responsibility or undergo the excitement
incidental to the position of chief standard
bearer Of the republican party in presidential
campaign.
This morning, however, they were brought
face to face with half a dozen statements, all
more or less authoritative, couched in different
language, all more or less problematical in
their general tenor. but all pointing in the same
direction and to the same idea that Blaine, il
not an avowed and open candidate for the nomi-
nation as against his chief. is at least prepared
to accept it in the event Of its being rendered
him by the convention.
This is all that Clarkson and his friends have
the supporters of the administration have lust
as industriously denied, and it is all that is
needed to enable the Blaine forces to recover
from the temporary depression of yesterday
and to give them cheer and inspiration for the
battle Of next week. The people who. for the
past couple OF days, have been insisting that
Clarkson has known all along precisely where
he stood are saying the old saw: Il told YOU
So" with great unanimity and exceeding good
VIII. Many OF the Harrison people, however,
are not willing to admit that the situation has
changed or that the prospects Of the President
have weakened or that Mr.. Blaine has gained
strength since the sun went down last night.
The men to whom the latest statements
regarding Blaines intentions are attributed are
they say, no more entitled to be regarded as
semi-oficial mouthpieces than the men who
have made themselves the sponsors for similar
statements for month past and whose declara-
tions, now on the eve Of the convention, are
regarded as no more weight than those of any
private in the ranks. No matter what Father
Cronin or Congressman Boutelle may think or
say; no matter what family kilograms may have
passed between Washington and Emmons
tons may be drawn from such opinions and
such things the fact remains, they hold, that
until Mr.. Blaine comes squarely out and either
declares himself candidate or places himself
in the hands of his friends and announces as
much, the convention, in choosing It's standard
to Garrison. That letter, they maintain, Is still
very much in evidence, and it must be with
drawn or qualified as a condition precedent to
the naming Of its writer in the national convene
ton.
ME-. GARRISON PLEASED.
Mr.. Garrison, however, is pleased with the
situation. Speaking Of Mr.. Blsine's statement
that he would write no more letters, he said, ~
think it will nominate him." In answer to a
question, he said: 81 don't 'spose that Mr..
Blaine win be formally placed in nomination,
was still possible that some of the state delega-
tons would put forward favorite sons.
There are several stories sioat about the
plans OF the Blaine men. It Is said that they
will not put Mr.. Blaine in nomination for fear
the Harrison men will lay his letter to Clark
son before the convention. Instead Of putting
his name forward they will perfect an UNDER
standing with the delegations to cast their bal
lots for him, starting, as they hope, with the
solid vote Of Alabama, Arkansas or California
Mr. Blaine's friends are assuring the instructed
delegates that the instructions were given ut q
time when Mr.. Blaine was not considered pos
sibility and that the changed conditions warrant
them in exercising their own judgment
Another plan discussed by the anti-Harrison
people is to put Blaine formally before the con-
ventiOn and split the vote of the delegates leay-
ing the balance Of power in the hands of some
one like Alger, TO whom the anti Harrison men
could turn from Mr.. Blaine. But the feeling
that there il more pro-Blaine than anti-Harri-
son sentiment in the convention makes this
plan seem weak to many OF Mr.. Harrison's
enemies.
Chauncey I. Filley, the national committee
man and delegate-at-}arge from Missouri, made
another lightning change last night. When he
reached Minneapolis the Harrison sentiment
seemed very. strong. Mr.. Fiiiey Immediately
announced that under instructions from the
Missouri convention he would vote for Harri-
son.
MR. FILLEY GOES TO BLAINE.
Last night the Blaine boom received lively
impetus, and this morning Mr.. Tilley 10 going
to vote for Blaine in spite Of bis instructions.
"When instructions wsre given for Harrison,"
be said, ''they were given under the impression
that Blaine would nokaccept the nomination.
There we're Isl Office aolders in our convention
Who instructed n for Harrison, bat Blaine il
the choice Of the people Of Missouri" Mr..
Filey adds that AL Of the district delsgtss from
his state win vote for Blaine.
Col. Powell Clayton, the national committee
nan from Arkansas, says: ~ think it b not