The record-union., 1896-01-03


Sherman's recollections is bringing to
light a great deal of political history,
some of which is of extraordinary in
terest and Importance.
A complete history of the convention
which nominated Harrison, which has
not been written, with many salient
facts have been related within the past
few days. Senator Elkins of West Vir-
ginia, in an interview in Washington
recently, said that he was Mr.. Blaine's
personal representative in the conven-
tion of 1885, and was in frequent COM
munication with him by cable He,
and he alone, possessed the cipher code
of which they made use.
1.-THE Blaine forces in the convention
of 1885, said Mr.. Elkins, were COM
pact and efficiently organized. The
nomination of General Harrison was
not the result of bargain of any kind,
as Senator Sherman has perhaps been
led to believe 1t grew naturally out of
the situation, and was inevitable
Many of the Blaine men wanted to go
to Governor Foraker.
I'm the excitement incident to the
continued refusal of Mr.. Blaine to allow
his name to be placed before the con-
vention from the time of it's adjourn
ment Saturday until Monday, there was
considerable discussion as to the candi-
dates and who would be named. A great
many Blaine men and others discussed
the name of Foraker, on the ground
that he could perhaps have the entire
vote of Ohio in case it broke away from
Sherman. This went SO far that some
of Mr.. Blaine's friends, who were very
friendly to Foraker and admirers Of
his, urged him to become a candidate.
Governor Foraker not only said once,
but often, that under no circumstances
would he permit his name to be used in
connection with the Presidency so long
as the name Of Senator Sherman was
before the convention
To-day a representative of the United
Press had a talk with the Hon. Samuel
Fessenden about the convention Of 1888.
Mr.. Fessenden is the Connecticut mem
Der of the Republican National Com
mittee and has been for a number OF
years He has been one of the leading
spirits in the last three Republican Ma
tional Conventions. He said
Il remember perfectly the incident to
which Senator Elkins refers. Mr..
Blaine had finally declined. His deter
mination could not be shaken. We
were at sea and casting about for some
one else. We had discussed a number
of the leaders of the party, and several
OF US who were very active Blaine men
came to the conclusion that we could
unite most effectively upon a newer and
a younger man than any of those who
had been formally named as a candi-
date. Foraker of Ohio. had, by his
presence, his oratory, his earnestness
and his magnetism, made a powerful
impression upon the convention. 1t
seemed to me and many Of my friends
that he was the man to go to. I dis
cussed the matter with Mr.. Elkins and
others.
About 3 o'clock on Monday morning
we were taken to the DOM of Governor
Foraker by Mr.. Kurtz, a delegate from
Ohio whom we asked to conduct us
We found Foraker had gone to bed
After some delay we were admitted
rather reluctantly to his bedside. We
sat down on the bed beside him and told
him that we had come at an important
moment and upon important business,
and we desired his earnest attention
while we stated the case We then
went over the ground fully, and showed
him that the Blaine following controlled
the convention, and assured him that if
he would consent to become candidate
we could secure more than 500 votes
We told him that Blaine was out of the
race, and that the majority of his
friends seemed more disposed to sup
port him than anyone else. We made it
very clear to him that if he would con-
sent to become a candidate he could be
nominated without fail and without
difficulty.
1--WE assured Governor Foraker that
we desired no pledges or promises from
him respecting policies or patronage,
and that we only wanted him to agree
not to get up and decline the nomina-
tion after the convention had made him
its candidate. Mr. Foraker. without
hesitation, said firmly and emphatic.
ally: I thank you, gentlemen, with all
my heart but I could not accept the
nomination if it came to me, unless Mr..
Sherman first withdrew and asked me
to become a candidate. feel sure he
will not do that. came here to try and
nominate him, and cannot consider
the proposition to become a candidate.
/ will stand by him
Il then tried" continued Mr. Fessen-
den, ito convince him that the situa-
tion was beyond his control. called at
tention to the fact that Garfield had ac-
cepted the nomination after it was
plain that Mr.. Sherman could not be
nominated. Governor Foraker an
swered quick as a flash: I can prevent
my nomination, and I will 1t is not too
late. and I do not wish to be put into
the position which Garfield was put in
This closed the interview with Gov
ernor Foraker, and the lines were at
once closed up for Harrison, and he was
nominated easily and promptly, just as
Foraker would have been had he chosen
to become a candidate HIMSELF
This is hitherto unrelated incident
of the inside history of the Republican
National Convention of 1888, and it
ought to set at rest forever the charge
made that Governor Foraker was dis
loyal to Senator Sherman upon that oc-
casion.
CINCINNATI (O), Jan. "A United
Press representative called at ex-Gov-
ernor Foraker's house tonight and told
him Elkins and Fessenden had given
out statements of the circumstances
under which he declined the nomina-
tion for President in 1888, and asked
him if he would make a statement. The
Ex-Governor said: Il viii say nothing
whatever tonight. know the circum-
stances you refer to, and it is probable
that this is what they are telling"
Mr. Foraker was very busy over a
law case, and remarked that it was
''more important than the Presidency"
Diamond Robbers.
NEW YORK, Jan. 2.-Acting Captain