The record-union., 1892-02-08
BLAINE NOT A CANDIDATE.
HIS NAME WILL NOT GO BEFORE
THE CONVENTION.
Letter Written to Chairman CIarkson
of the National Committee
to That Effect.
special to the REcoRp-uN1on.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 7.-Blaine's deter
mination not to be a candidate for the
Presidential nomination, as expressed in
letter to Chairman Clarkson yesterday.
is the one topic OF discussion in Washing
ton to night. His i'll health is generally
accepted as the reason for his determin-
alton not to be candidate. Had
his health been robust, though, it is not
believed he would have opposed Presi-
dent Harrison. Blaine's friends saw:
why, how could he do otherwise than
decline to be q candidate as long as he
was in President Harrison's Cabinet? If
he had resigned and entered the race
how would it have looked to the country?
Such an act would be justly regarded as
q piece of selfish ingratitude and duplic-
ity. Mr.. Blaine declines to make the
Presidential race not on account of the
state of his health, but because he is true
to the President
Regret seems to be generally expressed
among the Republicans; especially is this
true OF the Pacific Coast contingent. The
opinion seems to be almost unanimous
that Harrison will again be the Republic
can nominee. The only other names
mentioned as possible candidates are
those OF Mckinley, Reed and Cullom.
but the two latter are not seriously con-
sidered. Harrison will be nominated by
acclamatlon in the opinion of many poll
tcians here.
BLAINE'S LETTER TO GARRISON.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Following is
the letter of Secretary Blaine sent to
Chairman Clarkson:
WASHINGTON, February 6. 1892.
Hon. j. c. Cto15tSoy, Chairman OF fJte Ieegil5-
lican National ConpHittee-MY DEAR SIR.
am not a candidate tor the Presidency and
my name Will not go before the Republican
National Convention for nomination. / make
this announcement in due season. To those
who have rendered neither support owe sim
cere thanks and am most grateful for THEN.
confidence. They viii, / am sure make an
earnest effort in the approaching contest
which is rendered especially important %
reason OF the industrial and financial policies
OF the Government being at stake. popular
decision on these issues is of great moment.
ano viii be OF far-reachlng conse9 uence. Very
sincerely yours. JAMES q. ELAINE.
PRESS COMMENT.
New YORK, Feb. THE Herald TO-
morrow will say, referring to Blaine's
letter, that it eliminates from the political
campaign a very important element: that
the Republicans have lost their strongest
man, and the Democrats shrewdest on
ponent has retired. The Democrats. saws
the Herald, have a large number of men
VINO certainly can run against Harrison.
The Tribune says the announcement
viii cause sorrow and disappointment TO
thousands of Republicans Certainly
that the foremost citizen of the country
will not be the next President and the
presumption that he will never secure
that great office, says the Tribune, cannot
fail to atlict the multitude of his fellow
citizens with keen sense Of personal
grief The Tribune says further that
Blaine had perfect right to allow MS
name to be used in connection with the
Presidency while holding the Office of
Secretary of State, and Harrison and he
had no misunderstanding on the subject.
Talking about Blaine's withdrawal
from the Presidency, the World saws:
1t is certainly the most important an
nouncement that has been made in the
Presidential canvass. Blaine was certain
OF the nomination. There would have
been no name put in opposition against
him. He is still in position
to largely dictate the choice
OF the convention. The devotion of the
party to Blaine, both in its leadership
and rank and file, has prevented the seri-
Gus consideration of any other candidacy
except the natural discussion of the re-
nomination of President Harrison.