Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-01-28

said the patient had suffered another
relapse, 50 much more serious than any
that had yet occurred, and that the
patients condition was extremely criti-
cal. He did not believe he could rally.
While not venturing an opinion as to
the extent of the relapse he intimated
that he believed the end near at hand.
TJames G.. Blaine, the second son of
Ephriam L. Blaine and Maria l.. Giles
pie, was born in West BrOwnville, Wash
ingtOn county, Pa, January 81, 1880. His
mother was deyOut catholic but her son
adhered to the Presbyterian convictions
of his Scotch ancestry. MIR. Blaine's early
education was sedulOusly cultivated by
the best private tutors and in the public
schools of Lancaster, Ohio, where he
lived with bis relative, Thomas Ewing,
then secretary Of the treasury. At nine
wears of age he was able TO recite Plu
tarch's lives. At the age of 10 he entered
Washington college in his native county
wehre he was graduated in ls47 lie eX-
celled in literature and mathematics, and
showed marked taste for historical
studies. After graduation be become a
teacher in the Western Military institute,
at Blue Lick Springs, Ky. Here he met
! Miss Harriet Stnawood OF Maine. who
I
nary in a neighboring town and TO
whom he was married in a few months;
| He then returned TO Pennsylvania studied
| law for a time, and then became teacher
| in a Philadelphia institution for the
! blind. In 1854 he moved TO Augusta, Me-,
| and purchased half interest in the Ken
| nebec journal and became It's editor. Ills
trenchant pen made him the master spirit
of the politics of his state within three
years
In 1856 he was delegate to the first
Republican convention that nominated
Gen. Fremont
In 1851 he became editor OF the Port
land Advertiser, but relinquished the
journalistic profession when his parlia-
mentary career began in 1853, when be
was elected to the legislature of his state,
where he served four years, the last two
as speaker Of the house. The year that
he was first elected he was chosen chair
man of the state committee, a position he
held for twenty years. He won distnc-
tion at the beginning of the civil war by
his forensic skill displayed in debates
growing ont OF that crisis. In ls62 his
brilliant career in congress commenced
continuing in one branch or the other FOL
eighteen years. He made but few elabo
rate addresses during his earlier years II
congress, but gradually took more ac
tive part, attaining the highest repute a
ready and facile deGater, for which h'
was remarkably well qualified by his un
erring memory, ready resources, aler
faculties and wide knowledge of politica
history. He was largely instrumental II
securing the introduction Of the presen
system of postal cars. lie rendered th
nation great service by his powerful
support of measures for the vigOrou
, prosecution of the civil war, an
bore prominent part in framing recon
structOn legislation. In 1869 he wa
chosen speaker Of the house, and serve
by successive re-electiOns six years. hi
administration as the presiding office
, is commonly regarded as one Of the mos
brilliant and successful in the annals c
the house. In 1876 he became the subjec
of violent personal assault. Charge
were circulated that he had recelge s64
600 from the Union Pacific railroad fC
: some mythical service, charge frof
which he amply exonorated himself 0
the floor OF the house. In May OF th
same year congress ordered an inVestlRa
? tlon aimed at Mr.. Blaine, relating TO tt
alleged purchase OF bonds at an exhorb
tant price by the Union Pacific of tt
Little Rock and Fort Smith. An extende
business correspondence with a Bosto
house fell into the hands of a clerk name
Mulligansand 1t was alleged that tn
would establish the guilt OF Mr.. Blain
He obtained these letters and read the
, on the floor of the house. The incideI
was one of the most dramatic and men
orable in the annals Of congress. Lii
Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, Nj
Blaine was doomed TO disappointment
r the crowning ambition of his life
serve his country as its chief executiv
In 1876 and 1880 he was a prominent cal
didate for the nomination, but was d
feated In convention. In 1884 be secur'
the nomination, but lost New York al
the election by less than 1000 votes.
1883 he positively declined to be a cand
date In his famous Florence letter. ]
accepted the position Of secretary Of sta
, In the cabinets of Garfield and Harriso
but retired from both before completii
apresidential term