Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-01-27


IN these Canyasses as n politician Mr..
1a.7, was not less great than when upon
he floor Of congress. He frequently made
asieepag car his home. They would hear
dbm one day in Portland and the next in
,hsumber regions. He received dispatches
and reports in this car. He gave orders
Ike a general on field of battle. He
truGght himself into personal touch with
al Of the politicians and as many of the
citizens as possible, and some of the anec-
iOtes which are told of the way in which
Be met sudden emergencies suggest his
Eclderful intellectual resources and the
apidity Of his mental operation.
Blaine in the Senate.
His political intuitions were illustrated
% another way at this time He unques-
aOlably suggested the arrangement by
which Senator Morrill,, of his state, was
transferred from the senate chamber to
G5saral Grants cabinet and Blaine was
ifronted 10 Morrill's seat and afterward
elected He felt that his day of usefulness
ii the house was over. He had made his
record and he believed that in the compar-
alive quiet Of the senate chamber he would
Ind some rest, and would also be able to
larry on the politics which had the presi-
Genital nomination of 1850 in view. His
reuds always felt that his life in the SEN
ave was irksOme. He adapted himself to
ne traditions of that somewhat lethargic
oody but Mt the cost of some personal dis
GpIne. OF course his personality was felt
There, but rs a senator he added but little
L any to his repute.
while he did not enter upon the canvass
'orth presidential nomination of 1880 in
mat cashinG and inspiring way which char
"e'eFzed him previous to 1876, yet he had
me nomination in view and knew that he
was the choice of large part of the politi-
"a. leaders and felt that he was of the masses
o. hs party. He advised, but he did not
Gg'a'e, and be let his political friends do
,,G.e WORK Of combination to a great extent.
ne would unquestionably have been nomi-
a"'ou had be not been compelled to face the
'-orihoHs popularity of General Grant,
"u'ch was increased by his trip around the
world and was made use of with great skill
Ogthe politicians. But though Blaine could
h 10y Deat General Grant in the convention
himself he could name the man who could
yeat MN, and thus General Garfield became
'he candidate.
N
D!aihe Tor secretary of state, but what
n'aIhe career as secretary and Garfield's
- president would have been of course is
natter OF surmise. The impression has al
"ays been that Blaine's personality would
lave dominated the administration. He
'ss' however, pledged to Garfield to sup
f''' MIN for denomination.
Blaine in Emergency.
= All. Blaine was with General Garfield Mt
-o uihe he was assassinated, and from the
az ~ 'ous shock he then received he never
my recovered. He had never been the
10 80. physically after the sunstroke of 1876
Ia' ne was before. But this fearful expe-
, ,suCe seemed to shatter his nerves more
.-oI 'hat His hair, which had been iron
say, grew white, as did his beard, and his
omplexion became of that waxy hue which
disease e-'
ne was, however, capable of audacity
,otL eourage and 1t was he who proposed
s,ii, an members of the cabinet during Gar
M, ,u Illness that the cabinet should an
g yanee 10 the country that the president
,or.s suffering from such disability as the
,Iar"., uClon contemplated when it de-
sroL '""O lhe vice president should In
A. eases exercise the duties of the Office.
Gnu 'a. blaine felt that there ought TO be no
az aston about the soundness of this view,
ssI L " was his opinion that if General Gar
gs H. recovered he would resume the Office.
vas .oVerruled, however, by the cabinet
h ~ w. matter OF public expediency, although
ep n's admitted that in case of war or great
spcb sency 1t might be necessary to take
acto,; : step. The incident, however, is char
n blaine in Retirement.
sina,idns .he winter following the assas-
co ,asIoh OF Garfield these who went to the
Gee s n ,Ssnal library used frequently to
Ola IMAM man of quiet manner porting over
eands"hes, searching the bookshelves,
lux ABOUT like q. literary recluse.