The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1893-02-02

decli le u request for a favor in such q way as
to make friend by an act which would have
made an enemy for most men. His CONVERSE
tional owors wore necessarily, from what has
been sal |, OF high order. His fund OF informa-
tion, while not as thorough or as accurate as
he no doubt would have liked, owing to his
lack of early advantages, was most extensive,
and there ware fsw subjects on which he could
not coayers, entertainingly As a man Of
busin 'ss, hs was remarkably successful and
his iud yment respecting investments was al
most infaliible. This capacity in this direction
gave great weight to many Of his ideas and
suggestions respecting the commercial policy
of the country.
Mr. Bane's position was unique. By his
friends ana lmirers he was este ,med man
of storm nt'grity, q statesman Of far. seeing,
prophetic vision, an orator of matchless elo-
quencH, a leader without fear and without re-
proach His enemies, and he had many, both
political and personal, called him crafty, un.
scrupulous AMI corrupt in money matters, q
sch min politician with no elements OF great
ness an orator who dealt In words and phrases
only, a leader who was for himself first aud
always. 1t Is probable that he was by no means
without faults and certain that he had many
qualities of greatness; in other words that the
truth lics somewhere between the lavish en-.
coniums OF his friends and tho bitter charac- :
terization of his enemies.
Mr. Blaine diol rich man, even as wealth IS.
reckonsd il these days. He was worth close OF
to million of dollars, II not more than tha-
| amount. 1t Is probable that II some OF hi,
speculative Investments could be sold oui
under advantageous circumstances that hi'i
wealth woull include him In any list of mi
lionaires His holdings of coal lands are largt h
and with tn, development OF the country null
greatly ncrea,e in value II keptintact for ses, =
eral years.
Mr. Blalne, b; reason OF his wide popularity.
was associated with a number of men OF wealth
In various enterDrlses. and his saQacity and
business foresight kept him from wasting
much money on brilliant but illusionary
speculative projects He was interested with
Secretary Elkius years ago in silver mine,
out OF which he made considerable money.
At the time OF his death he owned real est3ts
in the city OF Washington which would prdf-
| ably sell under the hammer for more tina n
quarter OF million of dollars
His holdings of West Virginia and Penns,
vania coal lands are considerable. Mr.. Blaiii8
| was one Of the directors In the West Virginia
| Central Railroad Co., in which Ex-senator Da-
Wis, Secretary Elkins ex-Secretary Bayard and
| others arc interested This road taps
coal and timber lands which Mr. Blaine bought
years ago very cheaply and which
have become valuable through the railroad
| connections His wealth includes bank stocks,
but the approximate value can not be stated.
A gentleman who was intimately acquainted
| with Mr.. Blaine said that In his opinion Mr.
Blaine broke himself down by intemperats
work and irregular habits of eating. Mr.. Blaine
was high pressure worker. Whenever he be-
came deeply interested in a subject Mr.. Blaine's
| ardent nature led him to work beyond his
| strength. He would shut himself up In bis
room, would not allow himself to be disturbed.
finished his task. He seemed to have adopted
the motto which the great electrician Edison.
| who works in much the came way, gave TO Q
| youth Don't look at the clock."l