The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-06-05
BURCHARD INCIDENT.
Recalled by Death Of stenosrapher
Andrew Devine.


ss ,|$ Andrew Devine.
Z. A host of recollections dealing with
Blaine's memorable fight for the presi-
dency has been revived by the death
of Andrew Devine, the famous old
stenographer of 500 First street,
Brooklyn, whose absence from a re-
ception at the old Fifth Avenue Hotel
is said to have caused the defeat of
the Plumed Knight in his campaign,
says the Brooklyn Eagle.
The recollections have largely to
do with that now celebrated phrase,
Rum, Romanism and Rebellion"
which, it is alleged, turned the tide
ried Cleveland into the position which
seemed assured for Blaine. Fred Ire
land, one Of the official reporters Of
debates in the House of Representa-
.tives, who worked with Devine for
many years in reporting the proceed
ings of the House, disclosed the gist Of
Devine, in which the latter Is alleged
to have declared that had he been
present when the Rum, Romanism,
Rebellion" speech was made Blaine
never would have been defeated.
Following Ireland's statement come
few graphic recollections from the
head Of the literary bureau of the
Democratic national committee of that
campaign, who does not want his name
used. showing how that accidental
phrase was made use of by the poll
teal opponents Of Blaine, and how, in
! single night. one Of the greatest and
most unexpected coups in political his
tory was accomplished.
Devine was recently director of
lhe Mergenthaler Lintoype Company
His death was caused by an apoplec-
Tic stroke. He was in his time reputed
TO be the best stenographer in the
United States, and he was at various
times employed by the Associated
Press to take the proceedings in the
United States Senate; as the official
reporter of committees in the House
Of Representatives, official reporter of
debates in the House and in other
capacities.
Blaine. when he ran for president in
1884, had asked the Associated Press
to have Devine assigned to take his
speeches. The Republican candidate
and the stenographer were personal
friends. The Rum, Romanism, Rebel
hon" phrase was used by the Rev. DR..
Burchard at the head Of a delegation
of clergymen who called on Blaine at
the Fifth Avenue Hotel. 1t was, ac-
cording to the head of the literary
bureau of the Democratic campaign
committee. a stock phrase, used by the
clergyman probably by reason of a
paucity of original material. DR..
Burchard read his speech in q sing
song voice. and few heard him. Blaine
was not paying any attention. Devine,
who made it his business to point out
to him important points in speeches to
which he was to reply. was away at
tending funeral of his wife's father,
Blaine. who was the last man in tho
world, it ia said, to have thought of
alternating the Catholic vote, made a.
commonplace answer having heard
nothing dangerous in the preachers
talk. But this apparent Endorsement
OF that speech defeated the greatest
wish of his life.
Had been there" ireland saws
Devine told him. "it would never
have happened"
The head Of the executive commit.
tee of the national Democratic COM
mittee at that time was Senator Cor
man. The head Of the press bureau
Of the literary department, Of which
the Eagles" informant was in charge.
~ was Colonel John Tracey, now dead.
\ The Democratic candidate at that time
was Grover Cleveland.
1t was the custom for each noli,i.
cal party to send a stenographer ia
meetings held by the other, The
clerical visitation at the Firth Ave-
nue. Hotel was the result of a SINH
lar visit paid to Mr.. Cleveland by a
delegation of clergymen at the Pier
repont Hotel, headed by Henry Ward
Beecher. The effect of that visitation
was strongly in Cleveland's favor, and
the Republican managers planned a
similar reception to Blaine to Offset the
cleveland reception.
Blaine visited New York in the lat
4 ter part Of the last week of the cam
/ pa1gn." the head Of the literary b,,rea,
v OF the Democratic committee said. "u
q so happened that the visitation was
n divided into two parts. each contend.
ing for special reception by Blaine
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