The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-28
IN THE MAINE LEGISLATURE.
Blaine Was Not Much of an Orator. but
Great Schemer.


Great Schemer.
ST. Coombs. a resident of Seattle for over
thirsy-three years. in the winter of 1859, was
member of the Maine legislature. James G.
Blaine was also member Of the same body, his
FIRST appearance in public life. Speak.
ing OF those days, Mr.. Coornbs said:
II reeollect Blaine a. young man
very well. He, another member and
myself were about the same age. q. and the
youngest members In the house. Blaine was
not much of an orator and / recollect his
maiden speech, which did not create much of
IN impression. But he was a great schener and
. persistent political worker, and although
that house of representatives. was composed of
many old and experienced politicians, several
OF them being 'ex-members OF congress, Blaine
after the hrst week of the session, began to be
the leading member on the Republican side
He devoted himself to politics, apparently to
the exclusion Of everything else. Dur.
ing the session many parties were given
Of the capital, and while the other members
we're enjoying themselves dancing playing
cards. or in other amusement, Blaine could be
seen in the corners talking politics. A series of
political articles which appeared in the Port
land, Me-. Advertiser at that time in the shape
OF correspondence from the capital at
fracted considerable attention on account
OF their force and political sagacity and
the intimate acquaintance with affairs shown
by the modern Junius. The proceedings in both
house and senate followed almost to the letter
the programme laid down by the unknown cor
respondent These articles were known by q
few members to have been written by Blaine
remember well when the matter of a con-
tested seat was to be acted on the
Adrertiser article marked out the course
Of the Republican party. and E.
\. Smart, an ex-member OF congress and q
Douglas Democrat. In speaking on the question
Of unseating the sitting member, who was
Democrat, made some very pointed remarks
about the article. and, pointing his finger in the
direction OF young Blaines seat, intima,ed that
. be was the writer of the article. II was often
remarked during that three months ses-
sion by many that young Blaine would make
his mark in the history OF the country if he
lived long. At the beginning of the session he
was only known as a newspaper correspondent,
but at the close he was the leader of his party
aud was chosen speaker of the next house of
REPRESENTATIVES, in 1864 Blaine was q tireless
party worker. Toward the close of the session
be aud one of the governors council, George
Jhorndike, approached me in a friendly man.
ner, saying that as i had been elected as a
Douglas Democrat, 1t would be an easy
matter for me to drop into the Repub-
lican ranks. My career might have been
changed entirely IL had taken their advice,
but il SO happened that the two towns / repre-
sented were. among the Democratic voters. COM
posed OF many Veterans OF the war OF 1872 and
sons OF Revolutionary heroes and / informed
Blaine that / didn't care to have those
old Jaeksonians claim me turn
coat. I left Maine the following year
and arrived in Seattle Just thirty-three
years ago this month. have watched with
great interest the career of MIR. Blaine from the
time he ma lie his maiden speech in the Maine
legislature in 1859 up to the last Republican ma
fionsi, convention. ]. +. Smith, also an old.
timer here. but now dead, was also mem Der of
1 the same legislature and was great admirer of
| Blaine"