San Saba County news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1874-19??, 1893-02-03

Z euteTtu cOlAeEt III " dSnlu " bOh' d.
il lS45; was graduated in 1871; mar.
ried Harriet Slsnwood in 1851; To-
Gated in Augusta Me, in 1854; was
elected TO congress in 1862; chosen
speaker in 1869; in 1876 sun
struck just previous to the
convention at which he WAS
defeated for the nomination for
the presidency by Rutherford B.
Hayes; was appointed United States
senator the same year; in 1880 he was
defeated for the presidential nomina-
ton oy James A. Garfield; was made
secretary OF state put resigned on
Garfieid's death in 1881; was nom
mated for the presidency in 1884, but
defeated by Grover Cleveland; became
President Harrison's secretary OF state
in 1889.
His father Ephraim G. Blaine. was
man OF rugged force OF character
Ssaa,, iE9 i5 nm 1I gfains gnd9Hpssdx In
political audacity which have been
characteristic OF his political career.
From mis- mother ne inherited that
wonderful intuitive capacity which has
enabled him in moments OF great
crisis to act as though by inspiration.
From her ne also received that highly
sensitive and emotional character
which has been conspicuous in mis-
political life
OF course Mr.. Blaine would have
developed wherever he located and in
whatever calling ne selected az a life
career out it was pure chance which
made hin the man from Maine He
met while n teacher in Kentucky Miss
Harriet Stanwood. who was also u
teacher. They were mutually at
tracted, and Just after he had passed
his majority they were married She
was 3 Maine girl, and she induced
her young husband TO remove to her
home and make ii his abiding place.
While in Philadelphia he was
attracted to journalism. lie mas said
that he discovered by pure cnance
that he had some facility with the
pen. especially in political discussion.
but it could not have been pure
chance. l. must have been the i'm
pulse of the spirit that was in him.
And acting uDon this impulse. he be
came a part proprietor OF the Jour
nal weekly paDer published in Au-
gusta. Me. Inc profits were not
great aud Mr.. Blaine was, if not com
peiled- at least willing to accept en-
ployment as associate editor OF the
Portland Advertiser. a daily. The
editor OF that paper had detected
Blaine's ability as political writer.
ana offered him 1920 year a large
salary for that time and place.
Blaine was me- slow in discovering mis-
strength and mis- value. and at the END
OF year he asked for an increase of
salary to $500. and for contract
covering a period OF years.
The proprietor. however felt that
ne could not afford TO pay this money.
and Blaine returned to Augusta de-
termined 10 associate politics with his
editorial work. He revealed extra
ordinary political capacity at
once wss elected member
Of the legislature aud suisse
9uently speaker, became chairman
Of the committee OF his party. ana an
arose in the congressional
in which ne lived. A candi-
late was 10 be put in nomination.
The temptation was offered TO him, he
thought OF the matter over night and
On the next morning mad come 10 a
decision which determined his career.
BE was nominated on the first ballot
and elected with but feeble opposi-
ion.
Soon after Mr.. Blaine was sworn in
4 friend called on him at his board
ng house at Washington quite
ate in the evening. He found
Blaine at his desk. mis- ruddy tinted
lair so near the gas burner that it
ieemed as though it must be siuged. a
copy of the house rules before him. a
Tolume OF 'Cushing's Manual" and a
-eport OF precedents which had been
established by Inc rulings OF various
ipeakers
Rather dry reading, isn't 1t. Mr..
3laines" said his friend.
Yes If you read it off hand. but
he man VINO masters this, throwing
lis hand down upon the pages of the
book OF rules. masters the house Of |
representatives"
He made superb speaker When !
lie was first elected ne mad hardly en- |
cred the prime OF life He was only |
- years of age His hair and beard.
" an inherited tendency. were al
eady sfIo wing streaks OF gray. Dut
lis complexion was rudy mis- SKIN as
nooth as naoe's and the mysterious
nd splendid fascination of his eyes
eemed constantly TO increase with
'olitical activity. He stood behind