Evening journal., 1913-05-17
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
How Blaine Lost BriStOW'S
Support
BY Holland.

In the summer Of 1876 Benjamin II.
Bristow, who had been for two years
secretary OF the treasury in Presi-
dent Grants second administration,
retired from his Office so that he
might accept profitable openings for
the practice of law, which had come
TO him unsolicited from certain
wealthy interests In New York city
General Bristow who gained not
only so large a professional practice
that he was unable to take more
than an occasional part in social or
public occasions, was nevertheless 50
popular that he usually held quite a
levee when taking his luncheon He
was a member OF one of the large
downtown luncheon clubs The mem-
bership was confined to merchants,
bankers and lawyers. and there fire.
qucnily mot upon a common ground
of social courtesies men who were
of different political parties
II sometimes seemed as though
General Bristow would not be able to
finish his luncheon within the hour
which he gave himself Men stood
around his table chatting with him;
he almost always had two or three
companions at the luncheon table.
He was a conspicuous personality,
and was frequently pointed out to
strangers who had been invited to
take luncheon with members as the
man who narrowly missed the Presi-
Dental nomination at the Republican
national convention of 1876
General Bristow was a man of fine
personal appearance. He was Of a
sturdy frame; his head was of superb
proportions and rested naturally and
easily upon his shoulders He was
erect either sitting or standing, and
his step was like that of a trained
soldier. a much more military step
than was that of General Sherman,
who frequently lunched at this club.
! was taking luncheon at this club
one day with William r. Grace, who
was twice Mayor OF New York, and
who organized the greatest mercan-
tile lines of steam between the United
States and South America in the
early ninoties.
II never take luncheons at this
club" said Mayor Grace, without
being impressed with the attention
Just look now at the table yonder at
which he is sitting. There are two
or three men who stand talking with
him and their manner betrays their
respect and admiration for him.
Il was told in Washington a few
years ago, that but for a queer acci-
dent Bristow in all probability would
have thrown his support for the Presi-
dental nomination in 1876 to Blaine,
instead OF Governor Hayes. IL was
almost certain for a week or ten days
before the convention met at Cincin-
natl that Blaine would be tho leading
candidate and would be nominated
unless successful combination
against him would be made.
"A good many people thought Cen
eral BristOw would make an excel
lent candidate. He had gained the
reputation of being a staunch re-
former. He directed the prosecution
of the whiskey ring. although that
prosecution involved some leading
Republican politicians. He had the
warm support Of the so-called reform
element in the Republican party, and
IL was thought he would be supported
by almost ninety delegates.
You will remember that on the
Sunday before the convention met
Blaine was prostrated by a sunstroke
as he was entering the church in
which he worshipped in Washington
The next day one of BristOw's friends
suggested to him that he call upon
Mr.. Blaine TO inquire about him and
to express his sympathy.
"Bristow hesitated. but he was al
last persuaded to make the call
Something occurred at the house
which grievously humiliatd and NOR
tilted General Bristow have heard
that he was personally abused by
somebody in Blaines house.
He returned to the treasury de-
partment more in sorrow than in an
ger, expecting to make no mention
OF the occurrence. But his friend
was present, and who was himsel
greatly disturbed by the incident
sent word TO Kentucky. Bristow'i
home. The story was passed arounC
among Bristow's friends. and thel
were so indignant that they decide,
that they would throw Bristov
strength, n IL were necessary, to an
candidate who could beat Blainei
nomination If he had the Bristov
strength
Very high political authority toll
me-" said Mayor Grace. that thi
was done Bristow's strength wen
10 Governor Hayes az the proper mo
ment. while in all probability
would have been cast for Blaine bu
for the unfortunate occurrence a
Washington / have been told" sal
MavOr Grace "that BrisfOW himgel
never alluded to the incident"
Copyright, 1913. by f. J. Edwards
All rights reserved)