The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-06-06
BLAINE'S BOMBSHELL
His Remarkable Curt Resignation
as Secretaru of State,
AND IT IS AS CURLY ACCEPTED.

Ehc Ex-Sccrctnry Gives AS the Rcn.
son for His Withdrawal a Desire
for Rcst-Gcneral Aigcr Formally
Announces His Retirement from
the Nominating Contest.
WASHINGTON, June 6. - Without q
word of explanation, so far as cor
respondence shows, Mr.. Blaine on Sat.
urday sent to the president his resigna-
ton of the Office of secretary of state.
Without an expression Of regret at part
ing with his chief constitutional adj
wiser, President Harrison accepted his
resignation.
The ordinary official amenities were
discarded between these two men who
made and execute the policy Of the adj
ministration during the past three
years, and whose friends are now strug-
Cling for the mastery at Minneapolis.
The Brief Correspondence.
I Here are the brief, free2ingly polite
notes that passed between Mr.. Blame
and Mr.. Harrison.
'To the President
Il respectfully beg leave to submit my
resignation of the Office of secretary Of
state of the United States, to which ]
was appointed by you, on the 9th of
March, 1889. The condition of public
business in the department of state JUS
titles me in requesting that my rcsigna-
ton may be accepted Immediately.
have the honor to be very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
JAMES G.. BLAINE"
The following is the Presidents an
swer:
ITO the Secretary of State:
Your letter of this date rendering
your resignation of the office of secre-
tary of state of the United States has
been received. The terms in which you
state your desires are such as to leave
ME no choice but to accede to your
wishes mt once, Your resignation is
therefore accepted Very respectfully
yours, BENJAMIN HARRISON"
Why Mr.. Blaine Resigned.
In an interview with Secretary Blaine
, he said that his resignation was not oc-
casioned by the near approach Of the Re
publican nominating convention and
would not affect his action to the slight
est extend. The question of his candi-
dacy or the acceptance of a prulfered
, nomination did not influence him in
. deciding toretre from the state depart
, mcnt. His only object was to obtain
personal freedom and peace.
Mr.. Blaine then proceeded to indicate
the reasons which bad resulted in his
retirement. He felt representative be-
cause of the constant discussion of his
! name in connection with the presiden-
, tial nomination. To this was added the
! annoyance of sensational rumors CON
stantly placed in circulation as to his
. being secretly working to accomplish
Mr.. HarrIsons defeat, and ut the same
! time encouraging his friends to pursue Il
= similar course. Without any reference
), to the truthiulness, plausibility or prac.
q ticibility Of these reports, they appar.
/. entity had pcrceptible effect upon the
5 presidents personal friends and most
= .intimote admirers. .....
Felt That He Was Distrustcd.
The feeling daily grew upon Mr.. Blaine
+. that he was regarded with suspicion and
5, distrust; that the friends of the admin.
: istrauon practically considered him
: guilty of duplicity; and even his asso
. ciates in e cabinet seemed to look upon
! HIM with silent reproach. There nlse
seemed to be Il constant desire to humil
late him by urging the necessity of fur
!, ther public declaration that he was not
e Il candidate for the Republican nolniua
. tioH.
These thoughts and suspicious con
+. stantly preyed upon Mr.. Blaine'5 mint
s until the worry and annoyance became
/ intolerable and as a consequence he de
:, ternined to resign, and having fully de
cided upon that course he desired I
a. speedy settlement of the whole matter
Il i'll order that lie might enjoy the rest ii.
Il private citizen which was denied him
As Il part and parcel of the administra
ton.