Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-01-27
DEATH OF BLAINE.
THE END CAME QUIETLY JUST BE-
- FORE II O'CLOCK TO-DAY.

EOh@ ] . ~ S6SSEN ~ OFN's
PLY steal Exhaustion Was the Imme diate
Cause of DissOlution-Sketch of the Ca
reer of One of the Century's Greatest
Statesmen.
WASHINGTON, Jan Eek Secretary
James G. Blaine passed away shortly
before II o'clock this forenoon.
Early last night the condition of Mr.
Blaine showed slight change, but the
doctor stated they did not think the
patient was perceptibly weaker. He
was resting easily when the doctor left
his bedside at 2 o'clock and passed
good night.
At 8 o'clock this morning, when DR.
johnson called, he found that the pa
tient had sustained another relapse
Everything possible was done, but Mr.
Blaine sank rapidly, and at $50 the re-
lapse had reached its full force. The
members of the family were hastily
summoned to the bedside and remained
until the end came. Mr. Blaine had
been dead two minutes before anyone
but the physicians knew that life was
extinct. Death was due to physical ex-
haustion, commonly known as heart
ton and the end was peaceful and pain
less. When death was announced the
members of the household, completely
worn out, gave way to their grief and
could not be comforted.
The senate and house of representa-
tives Immediately adjourned out of re
spect, and expressions of sympathy and
grief are heard on all sides.
Expressions of regret have been re-
ceived from Queen Victoria and the
royal family, who announce that in the
death of Blaine the greatest statesman
of the century has passed away.
James Gillespie Blaine was born JAN
uary 81, 1880, at the village of West
Brownsville, Pennsylvania. He was
the second son of Mr. and Mrs Ephraim
Lyons Blaine. He graduated with high
honors from Washington college and
shortly afterwards became professor at
Western military institute, a school for
boys, at Blue Lick Springs in Kentucky.
Here he met Miss Harriet Stanwood. a
native of Maine, who became his wife
Soon after his marriage he went tC
Philadelphia and studied law. In 1854
he became editor of the Journal of Ken.
nebec, Me, weekly organ of the
wing party, but disposed of his interest
in the paper in 1857.
In 1860 Mr. Blaine was first elected to
congress. He had served six years in
congress and was still a young man
having only reached the age of thirty
nine, when he was chosen speaker of the
house. He was one of the best equipped
men for the position who has occupied
the speakers chair. Lot NJ. Morrill,
for many wears senator from Maine, re-
signed in June, 1876, to accept the port
folio of the treasury, and the governor
of Maine Immediately appointed MI
Blaine to fill the unexpired term.
The sturdy friends who three
times urged Mr. Blaine's nom
nation for the presidency were
among the most Jealous and persistent
that sustained any public man in the
history of American politics; twice re
pulsed, thew chung to thier candidate
with remarkable tenacity. In 1876 wher
| the convention was in session at Cincin
I natl. it was reported that he had beer
stricken with apoplexy, and although {
! desperate effort was made by Mr. Blaine
| friends, the nomination went to Ruther
ford B. Hayes. 1t was at this conven
vention that Col Robert G.. IngersOl
gave to Mr. Blaine the title of ''plumet
knight" Mr. Blaine entered the conven
ton of 1880 with almost the same mum
| Der of supporters that had battled 10
him in 1876, but the nomination wen
to James A. Garfield on the thirty-siXtl
ballot. The story of the convention o
1884, which nominated Mr. Blaine on tn
first ballot is fresh in all minds, as is hi
defeat by Cleveland and the causes lead
ing to it.
General Garfield's selection of NJ
Blaine for the first position in his cabi
net was made in recognition of his tit
ness for the post. He resigned afte
nine months of service. After layln
down the portfolio he wrote his cele
brated work Twenty Years in Con
gress."
In 1888 after returning from an eS
tended trip abroad he was appointe
secretary of state by President Harr
son. He was urged TO again enter tn
race for the presidency and laid dow
the portfolio Just before the conventIo
last year. The story of his failure I
secure the nomination is still fresh l
the minds of all.
In the brief period of less than fou
years that he was President Harrison
secretary of state troubles came TO mr.
and whitened his head and enfeebie
his frame. In that interval nj
eldest son, the pride of his heart, an
his eldest daughter, had died; III
youngest son, whom he had perhaI
spoiled by over indulgence, had dragge
his name through the divorce court an
public prints. Then. more crushln
than all, came the death of his secon
son, the one of whom the father wf
very proud.