New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-06
OPINION IN WASHINGTON
SECRETARY ELKINS STILL THINKS Mr.
BLAINE WILL NOT RUN.
WIDELY DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS OF TUE
EX.sECRETARY's ACTION BY LEADING RE.
PUBLICANS-TlIE DISCUSSION OF HIS
REASONS-TIE BLAINE FAMILY TO
60 TO BAR HARBOR.
rBY TELEGRAPH 70 THE TR;BuKEs.


REASONS-TuE BLAINE FAMILY TO
GO To BAR HARBOR.
rBY TELEGRAPH 70 THE TR,BuSEs.
Washington. June 5.-1he resignation OF Secre.
tary Blaine and the causes which led TO it, 40
well it's probable influence upon the result Of
the Minneapolis Convention have been almost the
sole topics Of thought and discussion in Washing.
ton to-day, and the next move on the political
chess-board is awaited with eager interest and
intense anxiety. Many leading Republicans. Sena-
tors and Representatives. and number OF promt-
nent officials have gone 10 Minneapolis, and many
prominent Democrats also absent from the
National Capital so that the lobbcs OF the hotels
and other public Places have been almost deserted
to-day; but in other places quiet and earnest
conferences have been held and many tccgraphe
dispatches were sent to and received from Min
neapolis: in fact. the wires have been kept hot
ever since the correspondence between the Presi.
dent and his Secretary of State made public
yesterday afternoon.
MT. ELKINs THINKS THE SIrUATIoN UNCHANGED.
Secretary Elkins seen at his home By .
Tribune correspondent, and upon being asked
for an expression Of opinion on the subject 81
Mr.. Baincs resignation, said:
." am not talking much now, but ! will be
frank and say that / don't think the resignation
Of Mr. Elaine changes the situation one particle.
have never believed since Mr.. Blaine wrote his
| famous letter to Mr.. Clarkson, nor do | Relieve
now that he means to be candidate before the
Minneapolis convention. | have heard nothing
from Mr. Blaine directly or indirectly that would
lead me- to believe so. / think his last utter
ances on that subject. together with
the ClarlSsOn letter. should govern his
actions in the matter. This being so,
believe that Mr.. Blaine will adhere to his
letter, and that he will not allow his name to 20
before the convention. republicans generally,
so far as | know, are treating the resignation Of
Mr.. Blaine in this way
In answer to a question to whether he be-
lieved the President would he renominated, Mr..
Elkins said in an emphatic tone:
Yes, do and tie reports | have received
from there Indicate the soundness of my view"
Mr. Elkins declined to comment upon the rea-
son of Mr. Blainc's resignation, saying that he
was without information or opinion on that sub.
Icct.
DIFFERENCES OF REPUBLICAN, OPINION.
As a result of inquiries among Republicans
this afternoon a Tribune correspondent learned
that wide differences Of opinion still existed IN
respect TO the causes and motives a. well as the
probable effect of Mr. Baines resignation. While
a majority seemed to be convinced that the act
for the Presidential nomination, strong minor
itv held an opposite view, and some declared that
he would not accept the nomination if it should
hp offered to him. The strongest uphOlders OF
the latter opinion were found among men VINO
advocate the denomination of the President. ana
they supported their position by one argument
70 which the partisans OF Mr. Blaine could not
strongly object In substance it was as follows:
There is no Republican living whose loyalty
to tile principles Of his party is more devoted.
none whose desire for party success is stronger
or more earnest and il Mr. Blaine sees or believes
that his nomination would ALLEVIATE portion OK
the marty and thus eopardize its success, he can
not he prevailed upon to accept it, We believe
thar he will see and believe this before ballot
shall be taken at Minneapolis.
WHAT Mr.. BLAINE's FRIENDS SAY.
or course none of Mr.. Blaincs friends would
conccde that his nomination would not he the nest
and stronces. that could be made. One OF them
further said:
Il have no doubt that President IIarrison's loy-
ATTY 10 his party is rs earnest and sincere as Me'
Blairc's and that he is equally anxious for its
success"
The reasons which compelled Mr.. Blaine 10 oher
his resignation continued to be the theme OF AMI
mated discussion, and here also many uNerS
oninions were EXPIRE scd. In the course OF conver.
II
has long been prominent in public affairs, and who
enjoys the friendship and confidence OF both fres-
idcnt Harrison and Mr.. Blaine. said:
II confess that the retirement Of Secretary
blaine was not so great surprise 10 me as IL
appcars T. have been 10 many Others; indeed
shonld not have been SURPRISED if it had taken
place long before and wholly irrespective of any
consideration relating 10 the Presidential nominal
,ion. | do not think that the relations between
the President and his Secretary of State havo
ever been SO cordial between the President
and other members of his Cabinet. They are both
mon of strong cony lotions and great tenacity OF
opinion. and have not always been able TO agree
ON questions OF policy and administration ahecs
inp TIE State Department, and this has, natu'
rally. | think made Mr.. Baines ofhcni POSITION
somewhat unpleasant and dlsagreeaDe az tiiheS'
Tho scvcrc domcsti, atllictions which Mr. Blaine
has suffered since he entered President liarrisonS
Cabinet. and the precarious condition of his
hc,lth at times have also doubtless contributed
!, n oroe degree TO make him more sensitive
than ba otherwise would have been, and have
thought several times within the last year that
tho Sccrctnrv of State about TO lay aside the
o,res of Office which his habits of industry and
appIication and his singular devotion to duty
have made exacting and burdensome in an un-
usual degrce'
MR. BIAINE'S REASONS.
After pause, he continued
.Of course. | know nothing OF the reasons
Which impced Mr. Blaine Ia offer his resignation
at the time he did, hut | can readily understand
that the use of ii, name as candidate for the
Presidential nomination after his letter to Mr.
Clar,Sson declaring that he wot Id not be a can
didate, and the unfriendly criticism which has
thu, beer provoked. have affected him seriously
and NAV have induced him suddenly 10 take the
step which, ] believe ne had contemplated on
more than one previous occasion AS to what
the effect will lie upon the delegates in the Ma
tonal Convention, have no means OF Judging.