Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-06-13
RESIGNATION OF
BLAINE RECALLED
BY BRYAN s STEP
Historic Instances Of States
men Who Left the Cabinet
Under Dramatic Circum-
stances Not InfreQuent,


Washington. June 12-Whlle there
have been other designations from the
cabinet, Mr.. Rryans will stand for a
long time as the most dramatic in the
history Of the country. The next most
spectacular in recent times WIS that
of James g. Blaine. who resigned as
secretary OF state in Harrison's eabi
net, June a. 1892, while the ropubli-
can national convention was in ses-
sion In Minneapolis.
The story Of that resignation ls that
in 1892 Harrison was seen TO be "a
weak candidate for reelection and
Blaine was demanded in many quar-
ters Harrison, however. had no idea
OF stepping aside. ON the contrary,
he pretty plainly intimated that
Blaine could not be u candidate
against him while member Of his
official family.
Blainc's Bclatcd Resignation.
Mr.. Blaine hestated, did not give
his consent to become q candidate and
did not retire from the cabinet.
The situation became very tense
with both sides pressing for decision
on his part. On June he sent In his
resignation and this was taken as a
signal that he would run. On the
next day Senator Wolcott of Colorado
put Blaine in nomination at the Min
neapolis convention in a speech which
began with the sentence:
"The people may be in doubt as to
what they want but they know who
they want They want Blaine"
This was the signal for a prolonged
outburst Of applause.
Defeated for Nomination.
Delegates shouted themselves
hoarse. The mechanics OF applause
were not as we'll perfected then us
now and the noise died down only to
he renewed with redoubled vigor when
Speaker Reeds gigantic form was
seen towering over the crowds on the
back of the platform. Mr.. Reed
waved his hat in sympathy with the
cheering for Blaine. Mr.. Reed had
not been a warm friend of Blaine and
was not at that time but the deep and
abiding hatred he bore for BENJAMIN
Harrison threw him into the Blaine
camp.
William Mckinley. who was chair
man Of The convention, at length sue
ceeded in restoring order and in start
ing the ballot which resulted in the
defeat Of Blaine. The
southern officeholders we're as con-
spicuous as they were in the conyen
ton which renomlnated Taft
Harrison unperturbcG.
The resignation Of Blaine wa- &C
complished under circumstances very
different from the retirement of Bry-
an Mr.. Blaine. when he made up his
mind to quit. wrote a letter Of resig-
D. I. 3 a. III f.,s
and told him 10 put it in the hands
Of the president himself.
The secretary went to the White
House and found the president was IN
line shaking hands. il heing a recep-
lion afternoon lie went to the presi-
dents secretary and said he had I'm
important communication from the
secretary of state which must BE put
IN the hands OF the president himself
At once.
Major tIalford iii lull in the re-
eeption called the president out and
put the letter in his hands. Mr.. Har-
rison read It, gave it back to the Sec
retary and returned TO the reception !
rho act was characteristic Of Harri- |
son. His cold and impenetrable poise !
lid not desert him when a note was
put into his hands which was destined |
% rob him of the presidency. Nobody /
else In the world could have carried |
1 off in exactly the Harrison man |
ler.
One War" Resignation.
The only trace OF resignation be- |
,ause of opposition to a war is that /
If James A. Gary, who was postmas- |
er general IN Mel<inley's frs cabinet. |
4 4iats nf,lf