The Portland daily press., 1893-01-28

added to an APPROPRIATION bill, and he
made strong speech in favor of the re-
striction of Chinese immigration. His
senatorial career closed with the inau-
guration of Garfield, who selected him
for the portfolio of the State department
Without interruption he had been "a
member of one OF the other of the
branches of Congress for IS years, and
his career as a legislator had been one of
the most brilliant in the history of the
country.
Secretary of State
Mr.. Blaine had been the candidate of
the great majority of the opponents of
the third term idea in the convention of
1880, and to his following Garfield ci,iefy
owed his nomination. 1t was according
to th fitness of things therefore, that
when Garfield had been elected, he
should call Mr.. Blaine to the most
prominent position in his cabinet.
Besides there was a wide spread de-
mand in the Republican party for his
selection. Blaine was accordingly in
vited to accept the position of Secretary
of State and accepted. His advent to
the state department was soon followed
by an energetic policy for the extension
states to the South of us, and great pos
sibilities were being opened up in that
direction when Garfield fell before the
assassin's bullet. After MANY weary
weeks of suffering the life of the Presi-
dent went out and Vice-President Ar
thur became the executive head of the
government. On his accession Mr.
Blaine Immediately rendered his resig-
nation. The work so auspiciously be-
gun under his administration was sus-
pended not to be taken up again until
nine years later. When President Harri-
son was inaugurated in 1889 Mr.. Blaine
was called again to the state department
and then revived and put in practical
operation by means of reciprocal treaties
the plans he had formulated in 1881 but
which he had been prevented from exc
cutting by reason of the sudden taking off
of President Garfield. During his first
administration of the State department
war was raging between Chill and Peru
and Mr.. Blaine sought to exercise the
good offices of our government first for
the restoration of peace, and second to
mitigate the consequences of the crush
ing defeat sustained by Peru. Negotia-
tions through the department failing he
despatched Mr.. William H. Trescott on
a special mission to offer the friendly
services of the United States, but his
efforts were interrupted and frustrated
by his retirement. His administration
was signalized also by an important cor
respondence with the British government
concerning the modification of the Clay
ton -Bulwer treaty. Throughout that
correspondence MI. Blaine firmly insist
ed that cit was the fixed purpose of the
United States to consider the isthmus
canal question as an American question,
to be dealt with and decided by the
American government" In his second
administration two important controver-
sizes were the one with Italy growing out
of the lynching of italian subjects in New
Orleans and the one with Chill origi-
mating from the assault upon American
sailors in the streets of Valparaiso.
These questions are too fresh in the pub
lie mind to need extended elucidaJion.
Mr.. Blaine retired from President Harri-
sons cabinet by voluntarily resigning on
the Saturday Immediately preceding the
Republican convention at Minneapolis.
The suddenness of his retirement and
the circumstances surrounding it gave
rise to much speculation as to it's cause
and it's meaning. Strained relations be-
tween the President and his Secretary
were suggested on the one hand, while
on the other it was contended that his
resignation was inspired purely by the
feeling that having consented to allow
the use of his name at the Minneapolis
or discove ring that its use was inevitable
it would be indelicate to remain in
the cabin ct of the President who was
promin ent candidate for denomination.
As Presidential Candidate.
Mr. Blaine was first formally brought
forward as a candidate for the Presiden-
tial nomination in 1876. The movement
in his behalf was largely spontaneous,
and it undoubtedly had the support of
the great majority of the Republican
masses. His strength was greatest in
the West, though Pennsylvania was kept
from going so1idly fer him only by the
presentation of "a ''favorite son. Gen.
Hartranft; and Of course Maine was solid
for him. Before the convention met the
popular tide appeared to be setting very
strongly in his favor and as matter of
fact that was undoubtedly the case. But
there were powerful men in the Republi-
can party determined to compass his de-
feat, and they were greatly aided in their
efforts by certain occurrences about the
Oh June "A. The Investigations set
on foot by the Democratic House, and
secretly connived at probably by certain
Republicans, was at its height and had
furnished material which his enemies
were able to use with effect. On the
Sunday preceding the meeting of the
convention Mr.. Blaine had been stricken
down in the streets of Washington by
mysterious illness. Exaggerated reports
of the seriousness of his attack were
sent out, and for time CONSERVATION
filled the ranks of his supporters, who
had gathered at Cincinnati. .Reassuring
statements came later, but it was impos-
sible to entirely remove the impression
which had been created that he was in
danger of death. or if not of that, at
least of permanent invalidism. The 10y
atty of his enthusiastic supporters was
not shaken, but aecessions from uncom-
mitted delegates were undoubtedly
checked. There, We're four prominent
candidates before the convention-Mr.
Blaine, Roscoe Conkling. Oliver P. Nor
ton and Benjamin Ell. Bristow Hayes
had nothing but his own State behind
him when the convention met, and Gen.
Hartranft was simply Pennsylvania
ro~, ConI~l;vo Io1 .1l:,l