Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-04-05
MR., BLAINE IN THE RACE.
Interviews With Him Which Would Seem
to Indicate That.

CHICAGO, April 4.-Ine f06t puDllbDeu
the following dispatch from Washington
concerning the possibility Of James G..
Blaine becoming the Republican standard
bearer in the coming campaign: "W. H.
Grace, a prominent Brooklyn Republican,
came here recently, by appointment, and
going at once to the Blsns mansion, was
closeted with the secretary for two hours.
He spent the day with some Blaine men.
and when seen at The Capitol later, Just be-
fore his departure for home, said;
As result Of my talk with Blaine make
the prediction that he will be nominated at
the Minneapolis convention, and l desire
to state openly that if nominated he will
not refuse to accept.
A delegate to the convention. to whom
the statement was repeated, said: ~ be-
lieve it, not only because Of its harmonic
ing With what have known, but because
have = positive knowledge that Blaine
wrote his letter, not because he wanted to,
but because Harrison and Elkins harrassed
him into writing it,"
These statements do not lack corrobors,
ton to warrant the belief that Blaine has
at last made up his mind to run. promi-
cent Western Senator, one Of the anti
Harrison crowd, smiled when the remarks
Of Grace were repeated to him. He said ::
went to see how he looked, ard until
rose to 60 did not mention the Presidential
race. As was about to leave asked him
how he felt. He stood up and replied in 9
strong voice:
Better than have been at any time in
the last ten years. 1t will take little
time for me TO get back my flesh, but my
spirits are excellent. eat and sleep we'll
and feel strong and like myself Of old"
=" ".Then, Mr.. Secretary | said, we
shall nominate you at Minneapolis?
"'No, you won't, he replied.
"'Why,' 1 said, would you write letter
declining to accept
NO be replied, with determined
shake Of his head. No, l shall never
write another letter on the subj jact Of the
Presidential nomisation.'
"'Then what do you mean by saying We
shall not nominate you? asked.
HE looked at me for moment and re-
piled, Because you can't get votes enough
to nominate me-.
81 only remained long enough to wiring
his hand and tell him to be prepared to &C.
cept the nomination; then l rushed away
to inform the leaders OF the Blaine NOV
ment The next time l saw Blaine was last
Monday, when I called on him at the State
Department. l purposeiy refrsined from
talkiog politics, and cor fned myself to
same appointments. As / was leaving, he
said with complete insppositeness
"'Do you believe tnat my nomination
would make any inrosds in the Farmers
Allisnce?
..I an sure Of it, replied.
-
else" he next asked.
"More,' | said.
"He looked ont Of the window q moment
and said: Why do you think SO? Several
gentleman have told me ihe same thing
but none has given me any reason for it,
"'I, is this, said. The only thing in
the legislation Of the past two years that
has benefited the farmers by raising the
price Of their products, was your reciprocity
clause.
"He thanked me, and somebody coming
in | took my leave. | don't think it is
necessary for me to draw any conclusions
from what have told you. 1t all speaks
for itself, namely: l. That Blaine has
been fearful that he could not be nomip-
ated. 2. That he is calculating on his
chances Of success. 3. That when satie-
fed that he will be successful he will con-
sent, but whether he consents or not he
will be put in nomination. unless be writes
= letter declining, and he says he will never
write another of that character"
Secretary Blaine's statement that he feels
better than st any time in ten years is cer-
tainly borne out by his appearance. The
secretary is still pale, but he has been so
for years. His eyes sre bright, his step
elastic and he converses with his old time
yiyaeity.