Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-15

coachlng party organized by Andrew Gar
negie to drive from London through the
North of England and the lake region into
Scotland to Mr.. Carnegie's place. This
time Mr.. Blaine was followed by two New
York newspaper correspondents They
were, however, gentlemanly representatives
of their newspapers and their attitude
toward him was respectful and in accord
ance with the requirements of an honorable
pursuit of the newspaper profession. Each
had outfits of his own and wrote chatty ac-
counts of the movements of the Carnegie
| party in way that could have been OBJ
| jectionable to no one. At the various stop
| ping places constant attempts were made to
interview Mr. Blaine, but he would not talk
about American politics. Mr.. Carnegie,
however, was very talkative, and it was
plain to be seen that Mr.. Carnegie still had
hopes that Mr.. Blaine would recede from
his determination not to be a candidate.
Just Before the Great Convention.
During the contest in the Chicago Con-
vention I received dispatch from New
York to see Mr.. Blaine at Edinburgh. I
arrived there on the Saturday preceding the
Monday when the nomination of Mr. Harri-
son was made. saw Mr.. Blaine at the
Royal McGregor Hotel and had brief talk
with him. But it was not until the follow
ing Sunday afternoon that 1 found an op-
portunity for free and uninterrupted con-
versation with him. found him alone in
the drawing room of his apartments. He
was seated at a long table which was liter
ally covered with cables and dispatches.
did not go through the form of asking
Mr. Blaine again if he would refuse to ac-
cept the nomination, although the subject
soon came up. He had before him numer-
Gus cables from various leaders in the Con-
vention saying that if he would permit his
name to go before the Convention he would
be nominated on the first ballot on the fol-
lowing Monday. Mr.. Blaine did not ap-
pear to be moved in the slightest degree. I |
had never seen him more quiet or freer
from excitement asked him then what |
reply he had made to these numerous cables. |
He said that there was but one reply to |
send and that was that he could not permit |
his name to be used. He even went fur |
ther and added that if he should be nomi-
mated after having expressed SO strongly
and SO clearly his personal wishes upon the
subject he should refuse the nomination.
Predicted Harrison's Nomination.
He seemed to be endowed with the same
spirit of prophecy that he had manifested
in his house in Lafayette square when he
predicted, four years before, the defeat of
the Republican party. He said during the
COuNcISdLlO III VIC AoISA dI |
'The Republican party is going to win this
time"
He then went on to give his reasons,
which it is useless to repeat I asked him
who would be nominated on the following
day. He had just said that the contest
would be settled on Monday, and probably
upon the first ballot His reply to my
question came very promptly.
Benjamin Harrison" was his emphatic
response, without a moments hesitation.
He said that William Walter Phelps
night be selected for the second place and
the opinion that the nomination
would be we'll received He soon returned,
however, to the more important subject of
he first place. He gave an outline of Mr.
darrison's character. He showed then
most Just appreciation of the future Presi-
lent's ability and force of character, his
,ood judgment and capacity for public
fairs.
There are people who have said that Mr.
Blaine has belittled MI. Harrison in private
conversation. These reports are untrue.
dr. Blaine has always estimated Mr.. Har-
ison very highly and their relations
throughout the present administration have
Ilways been cordial and satisfactory.
Somehow the members of the Carnegie
oaching party could not bring themselves
o believe that Mr.. Blaine would not, by
ome fortunate turn in affairs be forced to
ccept the nomination. The people com.
posing this party were Mr.. and Mrs Blaine,
heir two daughters, Margaret and Harriet;
Mr.. and Mrs Andrew Carnegie and Mr..
who was then engaged to be
married to Margaret Blaine
Carnegie Never Gave Up Hope.
Mr.. Carnegie, am sure, hoped to the
asst and used every element of persuasion
o change Mr.. Blaine's determination. Mr..
Carnegie was very communicative 1t was
o him that all the representatives of the
newspapers went for information. He was
specially cordial with the Scotch local
eporters. The Scotch papers were filled
With talks with Mr.. Carnegie, and e1plana-
ions of who Mr.. Blaine was Mr. Carnegie,
through his many coaching trips in Scot
and and his gift of public library to his
native town, was then well known in Scot
and and highly esteemed.
When Monday morning came it was de-
,ided by Mr.. Carnegie to 90 north at once
md to spend the night at the little village
# Llnlithgow, some 20 miles away. If Mr..
Blaine had not really foreseen the result of
he Chicago Convention in Edinburgh,
ielay OF day or so might have been made
here for the purpose of being in touch with
he telegraph and cable. I went to Lin
ithgow by train in accordance with one of
nose brllllant managerial orders, an in
piration Of Ugh journalism, to be present
ion made by the Convention was actually
eceived, and to photograph for a wonder
ng world all of the various phases of emo
ion upon MI. Blaine's oountenance. His
motions were to be taken as freshly and
uickly as possible from their living mold, |