Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-11
BLAINE OUT OF THE RACE.
At Least He Says So Publicly Over
His Signature.

And the Other Candidates Feel That
stumbling Block Is Out of Their Way
The Harrison Men Exultant.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE following
letter. which explains itself, was given
out for publication to-day:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.-Eion. j. s. Clark
son, Chairman Of the Republican National
tomn,ttee-My DEAR SIR am not a can
didate for the Presidency. and my name
will not go before the Republican national
convention for the nomination. make
this announcement in due season.
To those who have rendered me their
support ! owe sincere thanks, and am most
grateful for their confidence.
They Will Lam sure, make earnest effort
IN the approaching contest. which is rem
dered specially important by reason of the
industrial and financial policies of the
government being at stake.
The popular decision on these issues is
of great moment and will be of far-reach-
ing consequence. Very sincerely yours
JAMES q. BLAINE.
A GENUINE SURPRISE.
Secretary Blaine's letter created
genuine surprise, Notwithstanding the
many rumors Of late that he would not
rum. II has been the only topic of dis
cussion tonight.
Secretary Blaine declined to be seen
by ipteryiewers, merely sending word
that his letter explained itself.
Attorney general Miller was not seen,
having just returned to the city and
being indisposed, and the other mem
bers of the cabinet, Messrs. Foster,
Elkins, Tracy, Noble and Rusk, all
agree that Blaine's retirement makes
Harrison's calling and election sure.
While each of them said he was not
surprised, he disavowed previous
knowledge of the intended issuance of
the letter at this time. .st
II was plain from the expressions of
the cabinet ministers that they had
regarded Blaine as the only dangerous
rival of Harrison. 1t was also. patent
that they generally felt relieved at what
they regarded as simplification of the
situation.
Senator Cullom very frankly avowed
his candidacy, and says he counts upon
the cordial support of Illinois. He
confessed that he had received straight
tip as to Blaine's Intentions, and had
been pushing his canvass with the dis
tinct understanding that Blaine would
not be in the field
Mr. Cullom says that he has served
the people of Illinois for 30 years, and
he feels himself entitled to their support
for the Presidency. He speaks hopefully.
As to the mooted question that there
was an understanding between Blaine
and Harrison no evidence of that point
can be obtained.
Il is generally believed that Secretary
Elkins has been the prime mover in pos
itively retiring Blaine Just now. Then,
too, there has been strong pressure to
bear from other candidates, such as
Cullom and Alger, to have Blaine de-
clare himself.
BLAINE WAS A STUMBLING BLOCK.
Every man who has presidential aspi-
rations felt that Blaine was stumbling
block, that SO long as he remained even
n possible candidate others could not
make any Roadway. The uncertainty
as to Blaine has also been an obstacle in
the path of the President, and the willy
Elkins undertook to remove it.
Those who are in a position to at
least have basis for an Ineligible
opinion express the opinion that there
is no agreement between Blaine and the
President-that Blaine simply retires
from the field, leaving his supporters to
take up any candidate they please
The cabinet officers, in expressing
themselves generally, speak OF the
Blaine letter as opportune, or in good
time, showing that they realize the i'm
portance of the move to the President.
Secretaries Foster and Noble predict
that most of the Blaine following will
go to Harrison, and their cabinet as
sociates generally agree with them.
HARRIsoN's FRIENDS ExULT.
1t is evident that the Blaine letter has
greatly exalted the spirits of the admin
istration circle. Private Secretary Hal
ford took a copy of the letter to the
President, but the latter declined to
express any opinion to newspaper men,
The cabinet ministers in their exulta-
ton not only predict the denomination
Of Harrison, but go further and say he
will be reelected. They base the latter
prediction on the conceded fact that the
President has given the country an
honest and faithful administration.
An Opera House burned.
WILBUR, NEB., Feb. 9.-The Wilbur
l n