The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-06-14
The Convention at Minneapolis and tn
Rhode Islanders' Action.

AsAs~uV A1Aouocfs Hess~~s
The Rhode Island delegates to the Min
neapolis convention were Blaine men
from Blaine State. How they came, on
the first vote, to stand five for Harrison,
one for Reed. one for Mckinley and one
for Blaine. is a part of the history of as
unfortunate transaction as the history
of American politics affords.
When the delegates of Rhode Island
set out for Minneapolis they all enter
tanned, as they still entertain, the kind
liest feelings for the great man of Maine,
but they were in varying degrees beset
by doubts whether he was really candi-
date and whether, IL he were, he ought to
be on account Of his health. On these
points the situation did not tend to become
more clear, and 1t is safe to say that
nothing was moro discussed on the out
ward trip than this element OF uncer-
tainty. On arriving at Chicago Mr..
Blaine's resignation from the Cabinet was
learned. At first this was considered to
mean his nomination, but afterward
reaction set in and it began TO be very
doubtful il Mr.. Blaine had not made u
-
nation, il not Mr.. Harrison's, impossible.
At Minneapolis it was found that
Blaine stock WAS on the descent, not Tor
lack OF enthusiasm for the American
Gladstone-the applause in Convention
Hall settled that--but because OF the
force OF circumstances. The opposition
to Gen. Harrison had developed itself only
after many of Mr.. Blaine's warmest ad-
mirers had become instructed for Harri-
son, and the strange spectacle was seen OF
men who had worked and planned for
Blaine for twenty years talking and
working for Harrison, while on the other
hand the men who had been Blaine's
almost lifelong opponents were shouting
for him. Look at the list: Depew, Nc
kinley, Elkins, and lot of Pennsylvan-
jans against Blaine, not because they
loved him less than before but because
they were pledged to Mr.. Harrison's sup
part aud, ia some cases at least,
because they believed Mr.. Blaine
was being :, PLAYED , for. for 2 ;n.su,In ssucker;n
put il. On the other side were Platt,
Quay, Filiey and the old stalwarts not be-
cause they loved Blaine more but because
they wanted to beat Harrison and found
no tool SO suitable to their purpose as the
magic name Of the great secretary. Even
Warner Miller, though an original Blaine
man, WAS actuated by a grievance. SO
r.. IL
his friends were his enemies and his enc
mics were his friends.
The heat OF the contest inevitably
brought forward talk Of third candl-
date and McKinley's splendid name
forged TO the front in spite of his resolute
support OF President Harrison. But
there was a feeling that he will be
stronger in tour years than he is now,
while the Presidents splendid admins
tration was factor which counted for
more and more with every day that
passed. There was force in the fact that
SO many Federal office-holders were pres
enr against Mr.. Harrison's express
wish. There was more force in
the argument that 30 much of
States which really ought to be more
ready to take suggestions than TO give
them i'll Republican convention. But,
on the other hand, the fact that the
National Committees headquarters were
used as Blaine headq uarters also was dis
tasteful to fair-minded delegates. The
men who were supporting Mr.. Blaine
were the politicians-tor the first time in
his life-snd they used all the acts OF
politicians to his disadvantage
For instance, the action OF the national
committee in seating every one or the
Blaine delegates where there was con-
test was taken TO indicate un-
fairness. The credentials committee
was organized as Blaine COM
mittee, Dut its members were fair
men and considered each case upon its
merits. Mr.. Tnayer OF Rhode Island was
A member of the committee. aud aided to
decide each case upon It's merits.
In convention hall the Blaine side lost
ground on the first test by trying TO over
throw the report OF the credentials COM
nittce-a compromise report. The nom-
mating speeches were better on the Blaine
side, with one or two exceptions, but
ynen the vote was taken it was decided
n advance that Mr. Blaine, at least
would not be the nominee. The only
question was between Harrison and the
lark horse. The splendid outburst OF
applause for Mr.. Blaine had the old time
ing of heartiness, and many delegates on
he floor must have heard an echo in their
hearts, if il mad expressed no more than
,dmiratlon for the man and appreciation
II his services.
AS for the Rhode Island delegates, they
we're for Blaine almost to a man II there
we're any show of his election. They were
eady to endorse Mckinley on the same
ondiLion. But when the tide Of voting
,ad rolled past Massachusetts, Kansas
md Pennsylvania and 1t was evident that
be Presidents denomination was certain,
here was nothing to do but to fall in
With the procession, and iiye of the dele
ares did 1t cheerfuily and ungrudgingly,
The result Is an indication of the wis
|om of sending strong men to conven-
ion and leaving them uninstructed. SO
much depends upon circumstances that
m uninstructed delegation really repre-
epts its constituency better than one
'onud by instructions.
A question of interest: Will the result
end to dim the lustre of Mr.. Blaine's
anne For the present perhaps it will,
ut in the last analysis 1t will be agreed
hat he did all he could; that he with
rev his name from the contest as loyal
member of President Harrison's cabinet,
lthough no Republican had ever before
eclined a nomination In advance. .For
he rest he maintained dignified silence
ntil circumstances which, we can only
onjecture, led him TO write his letter II
That transaction yet r..
mains without satisfactory explanation,
ut Republicans in general have enough
In both the President aud his
ecretary to believe that the explanation
known would discredit neither.
The hero of the convention was VIII
am Mckinley, Jr., that bright eyed
)hioan whose every nerve and fibre is in
tinct with fire and enthusiasm and whose
tar is plainly in the ascendant. He
roved most able presiding officer, un-
err circumstances at times OF extraordi-
ary difficulty. lie is man TO watch.