The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-07-02
MANLYTALK
He Says Campbell and Carter are q
Strong Team.
DIDN'T WANT GUARDIANSHIP.
He Was Forced To Reco nsider By tho
Question, Was He Sore Over Blsine's
Defeat, but stepped Aside Gladly ut
Harrison's Desire.

WASHINGTON, July 2-Gen. Clarkson
said last evening: ~ have been in a
pretty difficult position since the result
at Minneapolis, and have tried to get
through it with personal good grace and
party loyalty. never wanted the chair
manship of the national campaign COM
mittee. came to Washington fully re-
solved upon this.
n"When the members of the national
committee came on, and to my surprise
insisted that l should accept, told them
that the wishes OF the candidates for
President and Vice President should con-
troll. Blaine men and Harrison men alike
urged that IL was my duty to accept.
"When l refused they asked IL was
sore over the defeat of Blaine and IL pro-
posed to sulk. They proposed that the
practice of the party previous to 1883
should be followed by the election of two
to serve four years and one of the cam
paign committee to serve during the cam
paign.
should be ALLOW ed to select the campaign
committee inside or outside the member
ship of the National committee itself, and
that the National Committee should dele
committee for the campaign. This would
give to the candidates the full control of
the committee for the whole campaign,
and yet leave the National Committee to
resume after the election its original
functions.
"At least forty of the tifty-two members
desired this plan, and IL was this tnat
they proposed to the President. He was
not willing to accept it.; said he desired
the organization for four years as In 1888,
and as soon as he told me this instantly
agreed with him that his wishes should
be complied with, and that / should not
be the man for the head Of either COM
mittee. There was no misunderstanding
or even argument between him and me
as to the plan.
"The majority Of the committee were
not as willing as / to accept the Presi-
dents decision, and was sharply cen
sured by them for having told him
would follow his wishes, and not the
wishes of the committee itself / joined
with other personal friends and urged Mr..
Campbell To accept the chairnanship,
after he had declined it several times
during the afternoon. He had been my
personal friend for years, aud my col
league upon the national committee,
where had learned that he was a mas
ter in political details, therefore / knew
he was competent.
"Mr. Carter, the secretary, Is qualified
for either chairman or secretary He is a
discovery in politics, aud the best poll.
tician in the United States Of his age.
Mr.. Campbell has asked me to take a
place upon the Executive Committee
Personal inclination would lead me to de-
cline. Party duty requires / should &c
cept.
IL have no apologies to make for my
course at Minneapolis. lam proud of the
four defeats and one victory have had
with Mr.. Blaine since 1876, and / would
rather have the record of having sup
ported him in five contests than to have
been i'm the Cabinet OF the five Presidents
meantime. 1t Is Blaine men who know
how TO take defeat and how to be loyal.
The ticket this year is worthy the sup
port of every man who has n trace of Re-
publican blood In his veins.'