The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-05
BLAINE AND HARRISON SILENT.
Both Refuse to Talk-OhiceholdcrsM Mum
hy the Presidents Orders.

by the Presidents Orders.
WAsHrNGToN CITY, Juae A repre-
sentative of the Associated Press called at
Blaine's residence shortly after the corre-
spondence was made public and asked him
to supplement 1t with an explanation.
Blaine smilingly but deliberately replied:
"The correspondence explains itself and
have not word TO add TO it."
The president was next called upon and
asked if he was willing to say anything
regarding the correspondence. His re-
sponse, though courteous, was equally en-
phatic. He said: Nothing whatever"
The president and Blaine were SEEM
ingly in excellent spirits. and each, after
declining to talk upon the event of the day
or its effect, turned the conversation to
other topics with marked composure.
Blaine's appearance and manner were
specially noticeable as indicative of feel
ing Of relief and satisfaction which made
him buoyantly cheerful.
Secretary Foster showed no excitement
over the news of Blaines resignation, and
declined positively to say anything at pre-
sent regarding the political situation. At
torney-General Miller and Secretary Noble
also declined to be interviewed upon the
subject. 1t is understood thatthe unusual
reticence of the officers of the governments
is due to the suggestion of the president
that he preferred that federal officers avoid
comment on the subject.
Secretary Blaine was at the state de-
partment for several hours today in con-
ference with the Canadian commissioners
on the subject of trade relations between
the United States and Canada.
Secretary Elkins was visited at the
White fhra aft late
questioned by an Associated Press repre-
sentative regarding the effect of Blaine's
resignation, said: II think Harrison will
certainly be nominated on the first ballot,
without any serious opposition, either
The president had hardly finished lunch
con when he was visited by Secretaries
Elkins, Rusk, Noble, Foster and Attorney.
General Miller, all anxious to know the
facts concerning Blaine's resignation.
| During the informal conference which
| followed the president told the cabinet
| what had happened and suggested.
| in the interest of harmony and
| good taste, that they make no public COM
ments on the situation. Eikins' state
| ment was made before. ne had seen the
| president. During the afternoon the pres-
| dent sent word to the state department
| that he desired to see Assistant Secretary
| Wharton. The latter Immediately went
| TO the White House and the president ad-
| viscd him of Blaine's resignation and his
| desire that Wharton act as secretary Of
state for the present.
SO far as can be learned Blaine's resig-
| nation was not preceded by any action or
| intimation to the president that it might
| be expected. The resignation, it appears,
| was therefore determined upon suddenly.
| but for some time there have been various
| facts known to c.ose observers in Wash.
| ington City which warrants the belief that
| the resignation, though undoubtedly pre-
| cipitated by recent occurrences, had
| it's origin a long time in causes
| essentially personal rather than political.
| The causes may be briefly summarized as
| incompatibilities of temperament, dis
agreement over public questions. such as
| the Chilean matter; injudicious compari.
4 sons and comments on the part Of IN.
| judicious friends concerning the credits
| due either for the enactment and exectr
| ton Of the reciprocity project and the gen.
| eral conduct Of foreign affairs including
| the management of the Bering sea con-
| troversy, and lack of cordial relations
| between the respective families. These
! causes undoubtedly created feeling Of
constraint between the president and Sec