Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-02-03
Politicians for Blaine to De-
clare His Purposes
SOME EXPECT AN EARIylETTER
In Whlch He VIII Dehne His Position
HIS Health Concerns Him Greatly
Opinions Of Prominent Men.

int ntlons with respect 70 the prss.aea-
tlal nomIuAtien:
''ff Mr.. Blaine were a man who does
not sometimes change his mind. 1
should say that letter might be ex-
pectea from him IN the course of Fsoru-
sry ia which be would define his posi-
tion with respect 10 the presidential
nomination.; that IN that letter he
would convey the impression that he
does not expect 20 become q candidate;
that ne prefers to retire to private life.
and TO spend the remainder OF his days
free from the cares o, public Office, and
particularly from the burdens OF an
executive Office.
"Mr. Blame, of course, may change
his mind. There are indications that
ms views, with respect to the presi-
dency, do change with his condition of
health.
"BuI my best information is that
during the mouth of February a letter
may oe expected from him which can
only be interpreted as a notice to his
supporters that he does not wist To be
regarded as a candidate.
Rather Be Well Than President
s'Did you gain that impression from
conversatioas with Secretary Blaineg
II did; that was exactly the lmpres-
SION that did gather"
''D.d you also infer that the letter, If
1t shall be forthcoming, will be or such
character that Mr.. Blalne's followers
would abandon their efforts TO secure
delegates, or that they would te conf
PEELED TO believe that he would accept
the nomination IL rendered him?'
Possibly; ] might not say that he
would accept the nomination If forced
upon him, bat the inference very
plainly was that the presidency is not
in his mind, and that he would prefer
to devote his time TO the complete
restoration of health rather than TO
undergo the tremendous strain which
no presidential candidate, and no presi-
dent, can escape. Mr.. Blaine talked
very freely OF the enormous physical
strength which would be required of
president, and OF a candidate, aud he
"a frankly left the impression upon my
mind that ne did not feel that he had
the strength II undertake such con-
test. or to assume the duties OF such q
position. He said, in short. that he
would rather be well man than TO be
president. and he very clearly left the
impression that he could not hope to be
we'll man if he should be > candidate
for the presidency"
Prefers = w-stsrn Man.
"Ani did you reach any conclusion
as To whether or not, If he should de-
cline to become candidate in public
letter, ne would endeavor to use ms IN
fuence with his followers so that they
would exert themselves TO secure the
nomination OF some other candidate
whom he might name 10 theml'
''He left no impression of that sort
upon me. The only impression was
that he himself would not be a candi-
date. He did not indicate whether or
not he had any one IN mind"
Another gentleman not less promI-
nent IA public life who has seen Mr..
Blaine lately sad that he believed that
he would not be candidate, and
that there was some reason TO think
that Mr.. Blame was not exceedingly
anxious 20 promote the candidacy of
President Harrison; that, on the con-
srary. he might be disposed to induce
his followers TO WORK for some other
candidate, preference being gwen to
western candidate. and it Is possible
that he might endeavor to throw his
mantle upon some one whose name he
would take OCCASION in a definite way
TO communicate to bis most intimate
supporters
Mr Payns Talks.
Mr.. III. e. Payne of Wisconsin. a
member OF the republican national
.committee. who has recently been here
- another prominent republican who
expresses ia, oplnion that Mr. Blame
will not be candidate.
Mr.. Payne spent some time here IN
conversation with ClsTks0n and Fessen-
den and other memb RS of the rspubli-
can national committee and had oppor-
tunities 0f knowing what their views
were.
It Mr. Payne did not see the secre-
tary OF state himself be was M close
communication with those who did see
him. and possibly bad some definite
reason TOR his expressed views
Mr.. PAYNE says that Mr.. Blaine Is not
physicsily able 20 endure the strains of
. contest.
On the contrary, member of the
republican national committee VINO
called upon Secretary Blaine last week
at a time when be was feeling unusu-
ally bueysnt and we'll. expressed the
opinion that Mr.. Blaine will accept the
nomination. and that he will IN due
time cause It to be known IN some Way
that will not be misunderstood.
rtae 8s Declared Himself
These are the conflicting views az 10
The intentions Of vi. Blame. aud it q
because of there conflicting views which
are entertained by persons who hold
close relations 90 Mr. Blaine, who have
conversed with him upon tne subject.
that prominens republicans are of the
opli1son tnat q = time that Mr.. Blame
snail deeisre himseif
In the event Of an early declaration
hv Mr.. Biasne tnere are many indsca-
uons that President HARRISON would
not Re without cotnpetltor for the re-
publican nomination. There ara te0
ar three gentlemen who are very GER
tam that their claims cuxht not 90 be
overlooked
Taose gentlemen viii most sssure,'iy
have votes IA the republican national
eenveutlou L Mr.. Rialne shall not oe a
candidate.
Nr. Harrsxn sin be OBJ gsi to snter
fnto q eensssi wlta them for The nemi-
nsnon. They are candidates Who eii
have active workers "a their behalf and
who vii sssna we'll wish tiassr party as
socrates.
nislop Fiszxsssids : Fsbslee