The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-05
THE REPUBLICAN SITUATION.
NOW THINGS ACTUALLY STAND M
TWEES THE PRESIDENT AND Hrs
sECRETxRY OF STATE

-
sxr. r. c. CrswfsrA Describes from the In
Side tho Actual State or ARairs-Biain,
Has Practically Closed Ms Relations
with the Harrison Adnainistratien-Mr
Tiaine's Issuence In the Mstter-He,
Deeiaratioa OF War the President
Political Etiquette Biaine's Letter OF
1888 a.d That or 1sse-His Heaith-Ths
ConbinatieA 20 Force His Mobilization.
WASHINGTON. June 3.-The exact facts con.
corning the Republican situation at Washing.
ton have not yet reached tho public. Intima.
lions OF the truth are appearing from time to
time. and Just enough is known to give some.
thing like correct surmise OF what Is going
on. Roth the friends and enemies Of Mr..
Blaine. however. have been at o loss to explain
his exact attitude and tho underlying motives
which appear for tho moment to control his
action. 1t Is those who know him best and
who have boon for tho longest time his friends
chat understand him the least. These friends
see him for the first time In his life in the
hands OF his enemies Mr.. Chauncey Depew.
In his interview In Chicago when he announced
himself as for Mr.. Harrison and as against Mr..
Blaine. shows that he has correct knowledge
OF this situation. and that his years Of personal
devotion to Mr.. Blaine and his high regard for
his character are not sufficient to make him
'NouoW oiuiuc III Ills HeW ucpuEtuIe
The reports from Washington state that Mr..
Blaine no longer goes to tho White House.
and that he Is conspicuously absent from tho
Cabinet meetings and will not go there until
after the Minneapolis Convention. The exact
,1actsof this situation will certainly come out
during tho Convention. or shortly afterward.
and 90 there is no harm in anticipating them.
! First, It is not unfair to assume that II Mr..
Blaine does not 30 to the White House 1t is
- 49, 49,, kI,o D.. 81
and his Cabinet associates in what he is now
proposing to do. He has practically closed
his relations with the Harrison Administra-
ktion. After what has happened 1t would seem
impossible for him to continue as Secretary Of
Btate. Tho should be nominated at Mime
apolis he would undoubtedly resign from the
Cabinet and II he should not be nominated
It would be practically impossible for him to
rGo back to his position In the State Depart
lment There never was o period in Mr..
Baine's history which is more critical for his
ikuture reputation.
The reasons for his present attitude are
Sknown TO every one Of the members Of the
bPresidents Cabinet family. and through their
Bconadences to particular friends what am
IAbout to relRte has become one OF tho open
kseorets Of Washington.
Z Mr.. Blsins's peculiar attitude to-day Is ow-
ing wholly 10 the positive influence Of Mrs
Blaine. Mrs Blaine has become within the
last few weeks very bitter and vigorous OBJ
sponent Of the President She is lady Of un-
usual intellectual force. She possesses an
Iron will ehe does not often mingle in poll
tics. but to-day her imperious will. backed by
Intense dislike OF the President, Is one Of tho
tmost potent factors in tho political situation.
sThe calmest and most conservative Of the Re-
publican advisors at Washington. and these
kare gentlemen wholly outside of the Adminis-
tration circle. believe that II Mr.. Baine's
nomination 10 forced to-day under the peculiar
circumstances which surround this sudden
development OF the Blaine movement he
could not be elected.
Mrs. Blaine has never liked the President
Sfom the day that he declined to appoint her
son. Walker Blaine. to the office of First AS
sistant Secretary Of State. When this was
FIRST proposed to the President he said to Mr..
Blaine that he did not think it would be good
policy for any official holding high place to
have his son act as his deputy. lie then added
that no would be pleased to give to Mr.. Walker
Blaine any other place that Mr.. Blaine might
himself select. Mr.. Blaine suggested the po-
sition Of Solicitor of the State Department.
There wss no intimation on his part at that
dme thathe was ut all dissatisfied with tho
Presidents act Neither did Mrs. Blaine at
any time before her sons death express any
thing moro than an ordinary disappointment
OF the change in tho plan.
Several weeks ago Mr.. Blaine's son-in- law.
Meut-Col Coppinger. was promoted to the
positton Of Colonel. Shortly after that there
was vacancy in the army in the list OF Brga-
dier-0enerals. Mr.. Blaine asked to have his
: son-tn-law promoted to this place. To this
the President replied that he was at tho foot OF
the list OF Coonels. that there were thirty-flve
honorable officers who stood between him and
the post. and that to jump Col. Coppinger over
the whole list for no reason but that Of pure
favor was proposition which could not for
moment be considered. Tho refusal was
kindly made. and the attitude Of the
President was endorsed by Mr.. Elkins.
the Secretary OF War. MIR. Blaine pre-
sentsd the case politely and accepted
the Presidents view Of the situation with per-
feet good nature Indeed. 1t may be said that
during the whole term OF the Presidents Ad-
ministration there has never been at any
meeting between the President and his Secre-
tary OF State any evidence Of ill-feeling upon
the part OF one or the other. Mr.. Blaine has
Invariably shown courtesy and marked respect
to the President and the President has shown
equal courtesy and respect to his Secretary OF
State. The Presidents refusal to make this
appointment was not accepted by Mrs. Blaine
Tho subject came UP again and again. Mr..
Harrison said at last that under no circum-
stances could the appointment be made. and
that II he were presented with O four year 3
term OF continuance in the White House as a
consideration OF making such an appointment
that he should still decline.
Upon the surface. up to this particular
period. there was no friction. The day follow
ing tho Presidents final determination. Mrs
Blaine called ut the White House and asked to
see the President The interview which took
place between them was o stormy one Mrs
Blaine has spoken OF this meeting herself and
the President has limited to some OF his Cabi-
net associates that the conversation was re-
markable in many ways. The view often ex-
pressed by Mrs. Blaine was undoubtedly
repeated in this conversation She accuses
the President OF having not treated tho Blaine |
family fairly. and that he has taken particular |
pleasure in refusing their most modest re-
quests This Mira. Blaine believes sincerely. |
Her appeal for q change In the Presidents de- |
oision In the Coppinger case was the last time |
she has seen tho President. or course Mr.. |