The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1893-02-03

/ decline request for favor in such a way as
| to make friend by an act which would have
| made an enemy for most men. His conversa-
| tional powers were necessarily, from what has
| been said, OF high order. His fund of informa :
| tion, while not thorough or as accurate rs
| he no doubt would have liked, owing to his
lack of early advantages, was most extensive,
and there were few subjects on which he coul
not converse entertainingly. AS a man of
business, he was remarkably successful and
| his Judgment respecting investments was al
most infallible. This capacity in this direction
gave great weight to many of his ideas and
suggestions respecting the commercial policy
of the country.
Mr.. Blaine's position was unique. BY his
friends and admirers he was estesmed a man
OF stern integrity. statesman of far seeing,
prophetic vision, an orator of matchless elo-
quence, a leader without fear and without re-
proach. His enemies, and he had many, both
political and personal, called him crafty, un-
scrupulous and corrupt in money matters, a
scheming politician with no elements of great
ness, an orator who dealt in words and phrases
only, a leader who was for himself first and
always. 1t is probable that he was by no means
without faults and certain that he had many
qualities OF greatness; In other words that ths
truth lies somewhere between the lavish en-
coniums of his friends and the bitter charac-
terization of his enemies.
Mr.. Blaine died rich man, even a wealth Is
reckoned In these days. He was worth close on
to million of dollars, il not more than that
amount 1t Is probable that IL soma of his
speculative investments could be sold out
under advantageous circumstances that his
wealth would include him in any list of mil
lionaires. His holdings of coal lands are large,
and with the development of the country must
greatly increase in value If keptintact for sew
eral years.
Mr.. Blaine, by reason of his wide popularity
was associated with number of men of wealth
n a,Sk
business foresight kept him from wasting
much money ON brilliant but illusionary
speculative projects. He was interested with
Secretary Elkins years ago in silver mine
ont of which he made considerable money.
at the time of his death he owned real estate
In the city OF Washington which would prob
ably sell under the hammer for more than
quarter of million of dollars
His holdings of West Virginia and Penrsyl-
vania coal lands are considerable. Nr. Blaine
was one of the directors in the West Virginia
Central Railroad Co., in which ex- Senator Da-
Wis, Secretary Elkins, ex-Secretary Bayard and
others are interested. This road taps
coal and timber lands which Mr. Blaine bought
years ago very cheaply and which
have become valuable through the railroad
connections. His wealth includes bank stocks,
but the approximate value can not be stated.
A gentleman who was intimately acquainted
with Mr.. Blaine said that in his opinion Mr..
Blaine broke himself down by intemperate
work and irregular habits Of eating. Mr.. Blaine
was high pressure worker. Whenever he be-
came deeply interested in subject Mr.. Blaine's
ardent nature led him to work beyond his
strength. He would shut himself up in bis
room would not allow himself to be disturbed,
aud would not eat, sleep or rest until he had
finished his task. He seemed to have adopted
the motto which the great electrician Edison.
who works in much the same way, gave to .
youth: Don't look at the clock.'1