Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-27

rendered to newspaper men Mr.. Blaine.
But this vas years ago. He WINS then at the
height OF his brilliant career, but so far had
never known the bitterness Of defeat His ca
reer mad been a succession Of brilliant advances
with no reverses worthy Of the name The
change followed soon after his defes, in the
election OF 1854. 1t was gradual hat
positive. and became most pronounced
in 1859 when he assumed fo- the
second time the Office of Secretary Of Stat.
The cause for the change is unknown, except
possibly TO his most intimate friends. and il
any OF them know ii they have kept il Q pro-
found secret. Some newspaper men have a
theory that it was the result OF the publication
of the celebrated Burchsrdism. Rum,
Romanism and Rebellion" d IL asserted that
incident OF the campaign. and that he became
imbued with the feeling that If ii had not been
published at the time the result OF the election
would have been different Mr.. Lewsley. a re-
porter on the World at the time indi-
Gated, but who has since died OF CON
sumption at Los Angeles, Cal. was
credited with the responsibility OF the publica-
ton Of this ALTERATION. He was present at
Mr.. Blsine's famous meeting with the ministers,
and he published the offensive sentence a
portion OF Mr.. Burchsrd's speech. Mr.. Blaine
always contended that Mr.. Burchard WAS mis-
quoted but, il is still unsettled question as 20
whether be Was not. At any rate the
mistake. il il was one committed too late
in the campaign FOR correction and the result is
a matter OF history.
THE CHANGE TOWARD SFvsPArrR MEN
Regardless of the effect OF this incident the
fact remains that Mr.. Blaine was a changed
man so far as the newpaper profession is con-
cerned and il is safe TO saw that since that time
none OF them. with one or two exceptions. ever
gained his confidence OF even received much
more than the scantiest courtesy at his hands
His previous experience had taught him that
he could reach the uewspsper-reading public
through the press associations without regard
to the views of the special correspondents,
and thereafter be restricted himself almost
wholly 10 that medium OF communication. He
made il rule, which he seldom broke, never
TO see the representative of any one particular
paper. and a consequence incurred the hos
tility of many Of the specials" The reason
for favoring the press associations is obvious.
ONE REASON FOR IT.
Probably one of the reasons WHY in his later
years he did not care TO see any persons except
those known to be friendly disposed was due
to his desire to speak his mind freely on
any subject under consideration and
the fear that others might use his
words against him. The favored few news
paper men who gained his presence during the
later wears Of his life well aware Of his
Feasibility and his proneness to criticise with
bitterness the conduct of his associates in pub
lie station. such remarks were made. however
to men who would never betrsy them. and Mr..
Blaine seemed to know that. Otherwise they
would never have been made, their repeti-
ton would have resulted in a world of trouble.
HOLDING MATTER OVER SUNDAY.
One popularity of Mr. Blaine's dealings with
the newspapers when he was Secretary Of State
was the singular fact that he would never give
out anything for publication on Saturday. but
would hold 1t until the following day for publ
cation on Monday morning. This became go
well known that matter what hap
pened in our foreign relations Satur-
day no newspaper man would have
dreamed of getting any information
from Mr.. Blaine about il until SUNDAY. There
is no reason for this except the fact well known
to Mr.. Blaine that the papers go to press earlier
than usual Sunday morning and devote more OF
their space in that issue to general literary
matter than on other days in the week. and
that they have more spnce available for news
matter on Monday morning than on any other
day in the week.
A''sTAR" REPoRTER's EXPERIENCES.
A STAR reporter has had several interesting
experiences with Mr. Blaine. He was at the
White House the Gay of the meeting of the
cabinet, inst before the republican convention
met at Minneapolis, when Mr.. Blaine rendered
his resignation, and he met that gentleman
under the port cochere as he vas leaving the
building IN advance Of all his colleagues. Mr.
Blaine seemed to be in high spirits ana talked
lightly to THE STAR man. The latter
followed him TO his carriage and, at Mr.
Blaine's invitation, took = seat therein. The
drive was a short one, rs Mr.. Blaine merely de-
sired to go to the State Department but during
it Mr. Blaine took occasion 10 impress
upon the reporter the importance OF saving
that Mr.. Blame had attended the meeting
Of the cabinet to set at rest the rumor
tina. be had quarreled with the President in
regard 10 the nomination at Minneapolis. Mr..
Blaine seemed to be particularly happy. but
made not even the slightest difference 10 the
fact that he was even then on his way to the State
Department 10 write out his resignation as
Secretary of State. As is now well known, his
resignation was accepted the same afternoon. to
take effect Immediately, and Gen. Harrison WIS
nominated by the convention
HIS LAST INTERVIEW.
This was in June last and Mr. Blaine went to
his summer home at Bar Harbor, Ne. He re-
turned here about the end Of October, and was
out walking near his homs one afternoon lust
before the election on November g. when The
STAR man saw him again. Wishing &c test his
well-known memory for names and faces the
reporter approached him in his walL and said:
''How do you do Mr.. Blaine. i suppose you
don't remember mel"
"0h, yes, / do" answered Mr. Blaine How il
The STAR getting along2"
THE sTAn's getting along all right. Have
you any news for it?"
'0h. no." responded Mr. Blaine with evident
sadness. You know l am no longer in public
life But, by the way, how is the election
going?'
well, Tn prejudiced." said TIE STAR man.
land / think Harrison will be elected, but
would much rather have your opinion"
Il think SO, too" said Mr.. Blaine, and be
turned and started back for his residence. He
then walked with a faltering step and showed
other evidences Of physical weakness, and was
soon after compelled to take to his bed, so that
1t is reasonable to believe that this was the last
conversation he had with a newspaper man. He
was wrong in his opinion about the election,
but he bad the satisfaction of knowing that he