Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-08

WHY 1T WAS WRITTEN AT THIS TIME-oTHER
CANDIDATES TO COME INTO TIE fIELp-soME
OPINIONS AT THE CAPITOL
The letter Of Mr.. Blaine announcing that
he would not be a candidate for the presidential
nomination and that his name would not go
before the convention has not occasioned
surprise at the capital, though there are
many who deeply regret his decision.
1t can scarcely be said that..the letter was ex-
pected, but it has long been regarded
as extremely probable that such letter would
be written before the republican national
convention should meet 1t has come how
ever, earlier than was thought probable. and the
fact that it has been written thus early
gives to many the impression that Mr..
Blaine. having reached decision. is not will
ing to have his position remain in doubt merely
to keep the field clear of other candidates. As
long as there was any chance of Mr.. Blaines
accepting the nomination IL offered 20 him no
other candidates would declare themselves. as il
was too evident that none could successfully
contend against the Maine statesman. Ii was
clear TO the mind of every politician that the
choice would lie between Blaine and Harrison.
and that II Mr.. Blaine postponed the announce
ment until the last moment and then declined
to be a candidate it would insure the nomina-
ton OF Mr.. Harrison.
There are a number of men who would like
to take the field against Mr.. Harrison who
would not venture TO enter into a contest with
Mr.. Blaine a rival. These men and their
friends have been very importunate to know
what Mr.. Blaine intended TO do.
This. it is believed, is the reason for his max
ing an early announcement, and it is expected
that there will be many entries at the Mime
apolls convention.
MR.. BLAISEs LETTER.
His letter in full is as follows:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.
To Hon. J. S. CLARksoS, Chairman of the Re-
publican National Committee:
My Dear Sir-I am not a candidate for the
presidency and my name will not 60 before the
republican national convention for the nomina-
ton. make this announcement in due season.
10 those who have rendered me their support
owe sincere thanks and am most grateful for
their confidence. They will. am sure. make
earnest effort in the approaching contest,
which is rendered specially important by
reason of the industrial and financial policies
OF the government being at stake. The popu-
lar decision on these issues Is of great moment
and will be of far-reaching consequence. Very
sincerely yours,
(Signed) JAMES G. BLAINE.
1t is evident that very large majority of the
republicans feel that this declaration is equiya-
lent to a declination of the presidency, for they
entertain no doubt that he would have been
nominated and elected President had he per-
mitted bis name to go before the convention.
DEMOCRATS FEEL RELIEVED.
Though democrats are not ready to say that
any republican could be elected in 1892. they
are a rule very ready to declare that they
believe Mr.. Blaine would be the strongest man
the republican party could nominate. Asparti-
sans they evidently feel relieved at his with
drawal
In the absence Of any reason assigned in his
letter many theories are advanced. some be-
lieve that bad health has influenced his de-
cision and others that he has ielded to the
wishes of Mrs. Blaine, who has always been op-
posed to his accepting the nomination
Democrats are pleased to think that his
declination influenced by the belief that
the republicans had but poor chance OF sue
cess with even their strongest candidate.
WHAT is SAID IN SOME cIRcLEs
Men who believe that they have been pretty
well informed as to the situation for some
time say that Mr.. Blaine has never desired to
be a candidate and that when he has encouraged
his enthusiastic friends with the hope that he
might accept il has always been because of the
argument presented to him that the mass of
republicans insisted upon his nomination, and
that no other candidate could save the party
from defeat.
For some time after the election of the
Fifty-second House the republicans were in q
gloomy mood, many of the leaders feeling that
nothing but the candidacy of Mr.. Blaine, with
IA
republican victory in '92.
1t was during this period, they say, that Mr..
Blaine, being importuned, gave indications
that, upon such a presentation of the case. he
might consent 10 be a candidate, but that he
did not believe occasion would arise which
would make his candidacy necessary.
1t is insisted that Mr.. Blaine never wanted
to be a candidate and that the conviction that
another could be elected, and that there was,
therefore, no necessity for him to make the
personal sacrifice which his accepting the can
didacy would have involved, has resulted in the
writing of this letter.
While it is believed that several candidates
will appear before the convention now that Mr..
Blaine is out of the way, the general opinion is
that Mr.. Harrison will certainly be renomi-
mated.
SOME OPINIONS OF MR.. BLAINE.
Democrats, as well as republicans, speak in
most complimentary terms of Mr.. Blaine in
connection with his letter of declination.
Judge Chapman, in conversation with STAR
reporter, said what expresses an opinion very
common in the House.
Mr. Blaine" he said. "will now be greater
man than he has ever been heretofore. The
election to the presidency could not place him
in as high position as he now occupies, and in
thrusting aside the temptation he shakes off
all restraint and timidity, and places
himself In position to give full sweep
to the broad craftsmanship Of which he is
capable and to be of the greatest service to his
country. As strong as lie has been in the past
his fame will grow from this hour"
Representative John Lind, the only republi-
can in the House from Minnesota, said:
Il believe Mr.. Blaine's withdrawal is final and
made in all sincerity of purpose. The ques-
tion then recurs upon who will succeed him in
the choice of northwestern republicans 1t is
my sincere belief that Secretary Rusk will be
acceptable, not only to the people of Minnesota,
but to Wisconsin republicans, and, in fact,
throughout the northwest"
HAS NOT WORD TO SAT.
Attorney General Miller was given an oppor-
tunity this morning to express his views on the