Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-06-05
BLAINe's RETIREMENT.

lu6 OeWOCIat viii say tuss uotusuS.
flames G. Blaine 10 now q private CHI
izen. Yesterday, by his own act, be
dissolved the ties which bound HIM 70
President Harrison's administration
and relinqushed the high Office of sec
rotary OF state. The method followed
WAS AS simple as might be observed IN
declining an invitation TO an afternoon
drive. The words used IN communi-
eating his purpose to the president were
few and directly TO the point. Mr..
Blaine just simply resigned, the reslg-
nation 10 take effect AT oncc. On has
part the president did the only thing
he could do-he accepted the resigna-
ton. And the acceptance was IN terms
as brief ana terse as was the docu-
meut to which it replied. Two
brief notes were delivered and Mr..
Blaine stepped down and out
from the exalted position which had
made his name known 10 all the civil
lized world. Among those familiar
with the inner workings OF politics in
the national capital. il has been known
that the relations between the pres.
dent and his secretary OF state have
been strained and unpleasant, for sew
eral moths. growing more strained aod
unpleasant as the time for the Min
neapolis convention approached. There
have not been lacking those who.
knowing the circumstances, be-
lieved that the official relations
between the president aud the
secretary of state could not continue.
But it is manifest from the tone Of the
dispatches this morning that Mr..
Blaine's action was q great surprise 70
his best and most intimate personal and
political friends. In the main Mr..
Blaine's course as secretary of state has
proved wiser and more judicious than
was anticipated. In closing his connec.
ton with the highest Office in the cabi-
net, he leaves record of elgnal ability
and of q policy which, on the whole
has been to his credit"
The Morning Press will gay: "Ths
resignation of Secretary Blaine at thil
time can mean but one thing. He is N
the field for the presidency, and If il II
| rendered to him he will accept the
nomination. 1t means also that fiar
rison Is serving his last term rs presi
dent. IL Blaine Is not himself
nominated his friends will see "a
| it that Harrison is also defeated
At present writing it looks as though
| Mr.. Blame would be the nominee.
| He has working for him the men who
have shapes ,ho destinies of the party
for the past eight years Quay, Platt
| GARRISON, Tom Reed and = host o
Others are active IN his intereete--not q
very reputable crowd, pernaps, hu
practical politicians who know how Il
pull wires aud manipulate conven
| tons.
"He has ALEC all the countless throne
of the outs who have received nothing
| from Harrison ami hope tor nothing
from him, while the election of another
| man presents boundiess possibilities II
the distribution of patronage. Hxfn
con has the otiiceholders, but his cold
unsympathetc nature drives from hin
| all save those whose own % fish end
are TO be served by his reelection
| At present the two men have q cleai
| field. There are 10 other candidate
| before the convention. The battle be
| tween them, therefore, will he sbor
and sharp. and If neither Ie nomiua tee
ON the fret or second ballot, look oul
for a dark horse."
Secretary Biaine's resignation iron
| the cabinet. which IL announced b,
telegraph today, - scarcely susceptible
of but one Interpretation: and that !,
that he will yield to the desires OF tn,
overwhelming majority OF the repabia
can party and accept the DonDnatsol
for the presIc eDeys II IL be rendered
/ him. That II viii be rendered hlnl b.
! the practically unanimous vote OF th
| Minneapolis convention seesns 10 /,
almost certainty. Mr.. BiRine'e nom
inatlon would he q logical outconse q
tine present political situation. Tb
only obstacle to his nomination are
the earliest begianings OF the campsigl
has been be unwillIngness 20 accep
the burdens ans responsI oiiities OF
presidential race. The most unarosd
able Interpretation of his resignation
is that he has waived his pet
sonal disibciinaiIon 10 make tn
race, and will consent 70 lead hl
party 20 victory ~ November. Wit
all due respect 70 President Harriso
and other possible no mineee, the Eagf
believes that Mr. Blaine womb ~ b
far the strongest csnd date tbst the re
psffsisesa psrfv could name for the CON
ing contest In ~ unnecessary 20 secss
here and 1T fhss time f1is eminent qua
ificstIons tor the Office OF president
He abilities are kno~n and Recognized
not oasv n bis own country bn
throughout TIE cfsiiirsd world. Jane
g. Eislne y today IN truth ~ well =
~ name ssths efestesf living Amer
can" IL nominated ~ Minneapolis Nh
greatness Of hs name viii sweep m
country 9Th q tidal wave OF c~rtA
victory. The Eagle coDerstnlsu:e 10
repsl,ilcsn party on the pro<p~cf Of ~
sHrefisl leadership q JsDes = Bisin