Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-05

Blaine and Harrison Both Refused to Be
Observation-Disclosures Ohicers Tipped
to Say Nothing-The Canadian Commis-
sfoners Badly Treated-The Ex-Secre-
tary's Conduct.
tBT ASSOCIATED PREss.1
WASHINGTON, June 4-Secretary Elkins
visited the White House at o'clock this
afternoon, and was asked by q representa-
tive of the Associated Press what he
thought of the political situation, now that
Secretary Blaine had left the Cabinet $50
you want my opinion, do you? Well,
think that Harrison will certainly be nomi-
mated on the first ballot, and without any
serious opposition, either. That's all I
have to say just at present"
The Washington agent called at Mr..
Blaine's residence shortly after the cor
respondence had been made public and
asked him if he would not supplement it
with an explanation. Mr.. Blaine smilingly,
but deliberately, replied: ''The correspond
ence explains ITSELF 1 have not word to
add to it"
The President was next called upon, and
asked if he was willing to say anything in
regard to it. His response, though made
with entire courtesy of tone and manner,
was equally emphatic: Nothing what
ever"
Both the President and Mr.. Blaine were
seemingly in excellent spirits, and each of
them, after declining to say anything for
publication about the great event OF the
day, or its effect upon the situation at
Minneapolis, turned the conversation to
other topics with marked composure. Mr..
Blaine's appearance and manner and tone of
voice. however, were especially noticeable
as indicative of feeling of relief and satis-
faction which made him even buoyantly
cheerful. -..--
Secretary Foster did not show any excite
ment this aftern DON over the news OF Mr..
Blaine's resignation, but soon after hearing
it he was one of the most enthusiastic spec
tators at the Cincinnati w Washington base
ball game. He declined positively to say
anything for publication.
Attorney General Miller and Secretary
Noble also declined to be interviewed. 1t
is understood that the unusual reticence on
the part of officers of the Government in re-
gard to to-day's occurrence is due to o sug-
gestion from the White House that the
President preferred that Federal officials
should avoid public comment on the sub
iect.
The Canadian conference began at the
State Department yesterday and was
TtSuIueO luls IO-uhI stSslOu,
however, did not last more than an hour
and it is understood was brought to an
abrupt termination by Mr. Blaine's state
ment that it was useless to continue the
present negotiations for the reason that he
was about to sever his official relations
with the Government. The Canadian Com
mssioners left for home this afternoon in a
very unpleasant frame of mind. They were
quite free in stating that they had not been
fairly treated by the administration.
Mr.. Blaine's letter to the President is dated
June 4, 1892, 1875 p. M. 1t therefore must
have been written almost directly after the
British Minister and his conferees had left.
The Secretary remained at the department
until 1:45 o'clock arranging some private
papers. While he was doing this one of the
messengers laid an official document before
him for his signature. He told him to take
it away, remarking quietly, II am no longer
Secretary of State.