Mower County Transcript

BLAINE'S NAME NOT TO GO BEFORE THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.

In a Letter to Chairman Clarkson H. Makes the Announcement Cabinet Officers and Others Think that President Harrison Will Be Renominated.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.--James G. Blaine has authoritatively announced his withdrawal from the presidential contest. Rumors which have been in circulation of late, to the effect that the secretary of state would formally declare his position, found confirmation when the following letter was made public by Mr. Blaine:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.

To Hon. J. S. Clarkson, Chairman of the Republican National Committee.

DEAR SIR--I am not a candidate for the presidency and my name will not go before the Republican national convention. I make this announcement in due season. To those who have tendered me their support I owe sincere thanks and am most grateful for their confidence. They will, I am sure, make earnest effort in the approaching contest, which is rendered specially important by reason of the industrial and financial policies of the government being at stake. The popular decision on these issues is of great moment and will be of far reaching consequences.

Very sincerely yours, JAMES G. Blaine.

The announcement that the secretary had written the letter withdrawing his name from the field of candidates was known on the row and in the hotel lobbies within a very few minutes after its receipt by the United Press, its reporters being the first to convey the information. It created much excitement notwithstanding the probability of its utterance had been discussed for the past forty-eight hours with renewed vigor and its appearance thereby discounted to some extent. Secretary Foster was seen by the United Press reporter and asked for his opinion of the effect of the letter. He said he had been anticipating its appearance but was surprised that it had come out now.

"It will result, I think," he said, "in President Harrison's renomination."

"Will it open the field for other candidates or restrict it?"

"The field has always been an open one, but several gentlemen to whom Secretary Blaine was a block will enter the race."

"Will Ohio have a candidate?"

"No."

"For whom will she be?"

"For Harrison. Ohio has always felt very friendly toward Blaine, but she has never supported him for the presidency, always having had in contests where he enlivened, a candidate of her own. There will be no serious opposition to Harrison's nomination, I take it."

Other members of the cabinet and several senators and representatives talked in the same strain and all seemed to think that President Harrison would be renominated without much opposition.