The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-28
SKETCH OF BLAINR's CAREER.
A Few Leading Points in His Eventful



Life.
Mr.. Blaine was born at West Brownsville,
Washington county, Pennsylvania, Jan. 80,
1880, of Scotch-Irish parents His early
education was sedulously cultivated, his
parents having ample means TO afford MIN
the best of teachers both in his own home
and at college. He graduated from Wash
ington College in lS47. The year 1864
found James g. Blaine in Augusta, Me.
There is no reason to doubt that be was i'm
PEELED to become a resident of the Piue Tree
state by the opportunities of his wife. She
was Maine girl. With the aid Of his wifes
relatives he purchased half interest in the
Kennebec Journal John l. Stevens, after
ward United States minister to Sweden,
was at the head of the paper then, and he
made Blaine his editorial assistant as well
as partner.
Nearly twenty years ago Prof. Alexander
Cow of Fontanelle, Ia, who had been his
friend and classmate at college, asked
Blaine to tell him something of his life since
they parted. Mr. Blaine in reply sent a let
ter from his place in the House of Repre-
sentatives. Here is the story of his life
written In his own hand:
NY DEAR FRIEND AND CLAssMArE: You ask
for story o , my five and twenty years. "Story,
God bless you" said Canning s knife grinder, 81
have none 10 tell"
III OCLODef, lHlfs Ten Gays dTtef our RrAuud
ton, l went to Kentucky where for nearly three
Years spent the life of tutor returned
then 10 Pennsylvania, where / remained until
'53, when went TO Maine 10 engage in editorial
iabor-was successfully editor of the Kennebec
Journal and Portland Daily AdUerfiser-I wish
could say successfully, though on that score
was not wholly deficient.
WAS a member of the Maine legislature in
1859, 1850, 1861 and 1862 The last two years |
vas speaker of the House.
In the autumn of 1862 ! was elected to con
ur,l huva ~,fNt
ever since-Thirty eighth, Thirty ninth, FDrti-
eth Forty first and Forty s econd congresses-
speaker of the last two.
Married a Maine lady which was the cause of
my migration eastward. Have had seven chill
dren-four sons, three daughJers-siX living
lost one infant son.
here is my brief social, personal aud polit-
ical. believe 1t fairly answers your questions
Faithfully and hastily. JAMES G. BLAINE
in 1854 while be was doing editorial work
on the Kennebeo journal there was an
other journalist in Augusta destined to take
high place in the eyes OF the nation. This
was Melville W. Fuller. now chief Justice of
the supreme court Of the United States Mr..
Fuller was then connected with the Augusta
Age, the leading democratic paper OF Gem
trail Maine. The two men were political
rivals, but very good friends personally.
MIR. Fuller left Augusta for the west shortly
after Blaine took charge Of the Journal
The two men after referred TO this period as
DeluR the nhDploSt In their lives.
According to a "model autobiography" OF
MIR. Blaine, published by the New York
World few days before the meeting Of the
Minneapolis convention last summer, Mr.,
Blaine was
RICH WHEN HE ENTERED CONGRESS-.
Mr.. Blaine was first sent to congress from
che Kennebec district of Maine in 1862 but.
OF course, he did not enter the House OF
Representatives until December, 1868. There
has been for a long time an impression that
he became possessed OF all his wealth after
he entered on his congressional career. 1t
is hardly possible TO make a greater mis-
take. The man was endowed from his in
fancy with the keenest appreciation OF the
possibilities Of wealth as well as its powers,
understanding perfectly as well how money
was TO be made. And he did make great
deal OF money in the years between 1850
and the end Of 1868 Many a well-known
man has said that had Blaine seen fit TO de-
vote himself to business he would have
made himself one of the wealthiest men the
country has ever known. One of his first
enterprises was the collection Of large
sum of money from the government for the
Maine Central Railroad Company.
Mr.. Blaine had charge of bill OF the
Maine Central for $50, 600. He received 25
per cent for collecting it. With this money
he bought the house and grounds where he
has ever since made his home.
A somewhat similar account Of the Boston
and Maine railroad was put in the same
hands with equal success. The collectors
fees in this case was not less than SIC, 600.
These two items, perfectly fair in them
selves, which would never excited a word Of
comment in another citizens case. afford
examples of the chances open for the auass-
ing of money. Then there were supplies
for troops 70 be bought, equipments TO be
manufactured, contracts to be looked after
The rising politician was fully alive to the
business opportunities Of the epoch, and
during these exciting months be undoubt-
eddy earned deal OF money.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
When be entered the House Mr.. Blaine
was nearly 81 years Old For bis first two
sessions he made few speeches, but confined
himself 10 closely watching the proceedings
and making himself master Of his surround
ings IL was the Thirty-eighth congress
among the distinguished men he fOund
around him were such personages as Thad.
deus Stevens, Benjamin f. Butler. Robert
Z. Schenck. Allison Of Iowa, Schuyler Col
fax. John a. Bingham. George $. Boutwell,,
James Brooks, Roscoe Coukliug, Columbus X
Delano, George w. Julian, Henry l. Dawes,
bcoheld Of Fennsy lvania. Ellhu Is. Wash
burne, and a SCORE more who live In historg.
Blelnes most notable speech IN this session
was on the assumption OF the war debts Of
the states by the general government. Later
on he took more active part 80 the rum