Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-04-29
BY TELEGRAPH.
THE PRESIDENCY.


NE~ fogK, April s>---Car>on Lake in
the New York press. has the folla~inr;
-riisre has bcea a very distinc; and
Positive tendency among Republicans who
have gathered bssre fren all parts Of the
country during the past seek or ten days 10
REGARD Secretary Blaine rs still POSSIBLE
ny al Minneapolis. The reports Of MIR
Blaine being in such LII health as 10 preclude
i3pa from accepting a nomination II ten
defesi 10 him have been absolutely dispeiled
and disproyeH upon an9uessionesi authority,
and his hitter Of withdrawal. whieh took
him out Of the fsii as an active candidate.
Is not generally regarded as barrier that
would necessitate his refusal of the parfss
nomination.
Regarding Mr.. Hlaine-s health. number
OF gentlemen % high standing IN business
Affairs and of leading position in national
politics have Recently given the most en-
phatie as=urances Of Mr.. Blaine's PHYSICAL
ability TO discharge the duties Of the fresi-
DENTAL ol6ea.
II has been stated BY one of his closest
friends from the Pacific coast that he Is as
wei as any nan of his are in America by
one OF his business associates in a Western
enterprise, who saw him on MONDAY last,
that there Is nothing which should debar
him from making the raee again far as
his physical condition is concerned, and
General r. 4. AIger of Michigan. who saw
Mr. Baiue in Washington within eight days,
il quoted in an interview given TO the press
associations at Detroit as saving that he did
not know whether Mr.. Blaine would accept
the nomination if rendered 10 him unanl-
mously, but he did not believe the man lives
Who would decline the honor
This strong assertion by General Alger
is significant of his belief that Mr.. Blaine
is physically able 10 undertake the duties
of the Presidential office. | was told a
story by a leading Republican of the nation
who spent an hour or two in Mr.. Biaine's
home in Washington one week ago Satur-
day, that in talking with the Secretary
about the Presidential question and his
health. Mr.. Blaine sail 10 him in effect ::
The Presidency has no abhoreuf feature
me, except one. | AM positive thai could
so organize the work Of a cabinet of the
party's ablcst men, whom ! conid draw
around me, that they would be made
responsible and feel the responsibility for
the conduct of the detail work, which is
now, and has been for many years, placed
as burden upon the statesmen who have
occupied the White House.
The Presidential duties in themselve,
have no physical terrors for me, but the one
thing that appalls me is the necessity of
standing up at receptions which last for
hours. shaking hands with the vast multi
tude of people. 1t is the handwriting or
deal through which il would he impossible
for me 10 90 without physical danger
The reply made to the Secretary of State
by his visitor was about in these word, !:
MIR. Blaine, if the handshaking terror is
the only obstacle in the way of YOUR becom-
ing the President of the 'nted States | am
absolutely certain that this fact becoming
known. would c,rtisc the American people to
declare that they would do their own hand
shaking, let YOU off ON that score. and seat
YOU in the Presidential chair without any
more talk
Coupled with the uudercurrent in the
party for Mr.. Blaine there is most cordial
and hearty indorse ment of President ilarri-
sons administration of his ability and ser
wees but varied expressions of fear engen-
dcred by the staten rnts of Republicans in
manv states to which | referred last week,
that he is not strong enough in a popular
sense To carry the election. 1t is insisted
when these statements are made that it is
no disparagemcnt of President Harrison :
greatness or of tine magnificent Repuhl-
canism with which his term has been marked
that this condition of things exist.
He has had the disadvantage of coming
into office as the successor of II member of
the opposing party and been burIened with
the distribution of patronage which under
such circumstances always breeds dscord
and cndangers the reelection of a Presi-
dent