Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-06-10
BLAINE,s RESIGNATION.


his Office last Saturday, seems to have been
surpriae :. everybody. 1t created
-ggYfsation all over the land. The shori
correspondence between himself and Pres
ident Harrison, was as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WAsHIEeToS, June 4, 1892, 12:45 Pm.
To the President:
resignation of the Office OF secretary OF
state of the United States, TO which was
appointed By you on the 5th Of March,
1850. The condition Of public business IN
the department of state justifies me in re-
questing that my resignation may he ac-
cepted Immediately. Ihave the honor to be
Every respectfully
aYour obedient servant :
TSjmed.1 JAMES G.. BLAINE"
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, June 4, 1892.
To the Secretary Of State:
Your letter OF this date rendering your
resignation Of the office Of secretary c1
state ofthe United States has been re-
ceived. The terms in which you state
your desires are such US to leave me nc
choice but 10 accede to your wishes at once.
Your resignation Ia therefore accepted.
{Sianed. BEsJ. HARRISON.
(Received minutes Of 2 o'clock.)
The words, Received at five minutes Of
o'clock, = are an indorsment made by Mr.
Blaine on Che copy furnished TO the press.
Mr.. Blaine gave the first hint Of this
msve on Friday when talking to Rev.
Father Cronin, editor Of the Catholic I'm
ron, of Buffalo. This gentleman had a
two hours talk with Secretary Blaine and
that evening In private conversation with
aome friends, he was asked what Secretary
Blaine had said. He refused to repeat the
Conversation, but turned about in his chair
and impressively asked tho question:
'fWhat would you think, and what do you
think, the public opinion would be If Sec.
retary Blaine resigned from the cabinet at
this Junction. The query seemed a
strange one, and Father Cronin, on beinq g
closely questioned, said he thought Secre-
tary Blaine was contemplating such O
step.
The story was repeated to number Of
newspaper correspondents, who immedi.
stsly wired 1t TO their respective journals.
Father Cronin was subsequently routed out
Of bed at Williard's hotel and asked for a
veriacation of the story. Fearful that the
news would create q sensation and that he
might come in for some comment, if moi
criticism, the reverend gentleman vehem-
emily denied he had repeated such story,
though he did not deny that Mr.. Blaine
had said what was attributed 10 him. The
item was therefore suppressed in certain
quarters, especially in the cast and the
and the secretary's exit from the cabinet
was iuly theatrical and effective.
Speaker Crisp was the first person in th'
House Of Representatives to learn tn,
news. The slip containing the bulletir
Was handed to him as he eat in the speak
cr's chair. His hand tremblcd violently
as he read the. few significant words
Hastily delegating Representatives John
stone, Of South Carolina, to take his place
he hurried to Representative Dingley, o
Maine, and told him the news. The wor,
was passed around and in u minute tn
house was in the greatest confusion.
A witness to the incidents attending th,
event relates that Secretary Blaine worke
diligently at his desk in the state depart
mant all morning attending to tho routin
work on hand. Shortly after ono O'Clock
clerk brought 10 him some documents {
sign. Mr.. Blaine waved him away wit
an impatient gesture and said: II sign u
more papers. am no longer Secretary Q
State.p Another dramatic effect had bee,
given and the clerk tottered from the room
and in few minutes the three department
State, Navy and War, all located in Gn
building-rang with the news. Mr. Blain
then Left the State Department and repair
cd to his house, two squares away. Befor
an hour had elapsed following the sendin
Of bis resignation he received the Presi
dents acceptance OF the resignation.
To reporter for Press association MI
Blaine, when asked for some explanation
OF his sudden and unexpected mevc, sal
with peculiar dryness: II have notbin
10 say. The newspapers caR explain vi
acticg as they have done former ACTIONS 9
uuiue.o