The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-07-30
The Two Statesmen In Conf
Dental Consultation.
What Came Of an Attempt to Pate
Up Their Little Difficulties.
AN INTERVIEW THAT FINALLY
DEVELOPED INTO FRA
rRICIDAL STRIFE.
The Alleged Observations of a CORES
pondent Who Was Ambushed
Under a Sofa.

PORTLAND, July 23,-The visit of Sc
cretary Sherman to Maine has been atten-
ded with unlocked for results. Concern
ing his interview with Senator Blaine
nothing has been published save brief
item in the evening papers which says,
"Messrs. Sherman aud Blaine had long
confidential consultation at the Preble
House to-day on the subject of this year,
campaign" 1t is in my power to give the
readers of the World some particulars as
to this important conference. The two
eminent statesmen, need hardly say are
not upon the best of terms. Each has
presidential ambitions. Blaine is DISCUS |
ted because, while he was away speaking |
in the West last year he lost his own state, |
and Sherman's visit this year puts him in
a decidedly awkward position. If Maine
should 60 Republican the fact will inure
to SheTman's benefit, because his friends
will say, THE secretary carried it after
Blaine had lost it, and so Mr.. Sherman's
presence is about as welcome as that of a
cat in a game Of ten-pins. To my inter
view, however.
When the two great statesmen had lock-
the door and hung hat over the key-hole
luckily they did not think to look under
the sofa-Mr. Sherman began the CONVEX
sation.
well, Blaine" be said, i've come up
to haul you out of the pit, as the Book
says"
''Oh, thanks, said the senator warmly;
II appreciate your kindness considering
the way things look in Ohio"
"Ohiois all safe, said the secretary. wine
iug slightly; Maine is what we must see to
first, for if anything happens to you 10
September what'll become of me in Octo-
ber2 I've brought up l3-column speech
that l think will kinder knock the boys"
There's nothing like it," said Blaine
contemplatively. Morton told me that
he owed his success in Indiana to putting
out platform or feet long full of words
like 'hegemony, 'interdependent, ,'eleemos-
ynary' and 80 on; then by the time that
his party had spelled out and digested the
eight Introductory resolutions about the
United States being nation, etc., haying
had begun aud there was no time TO fad
out what the platform really meant.
hope you've got plenty of figures in it
figures is what people cry for this year.
Between Us" said the secretary conf
dentially, there has been little demon
alization 10 the treasury, between putting
through this last assessment and prepar.
Auk lUI lhD upW CAauuluhblOub uUuGE luC
clvil-seIyice-reform system, and so I've
election frauds of 1876; but they'll do
results of resumption, however"
Good enough" said the Senator, ap
plaudingly; but hope you go for th'
south?"
Don't you be afraid There were som
little difficulties in the argument, but
think have got round 'em nicely. For 10
stance, how do you like this passage
Up till 1874 the democratic party remain
ed 10 a minority in the house. How IN
mindful it was of the constitutional dutie
and privileges Of an opposition party
need not remind you. When, however
the grand old republican party went int
opposition and set itself to expose an
combat the extravaganza of the majority
what did we see? From $l84, 304.787 o
the appropriations dropped steadily t
SIT, 370,627 81, to $l54,O90, 1856 So, /
$l52, 544, 745 Sc. Here there should b
some applause marked in-lend me you
pencil, Doesn't that strike you as good
making the economy Of the Democrats [
praise usP And the remainder of tbs
economy we will denounce for starving th
government"
Capital, egadl" said the senator; "
Own | wasn't quite clear in my mind no
you we're gong to get round the fax
that the moment the democrats got con
troll of the house the appropriations cam
down. Well, go on"
There was another snag 10 my path,
said the secretary, with chuckle, but
guess got round it all right. | alude t
the fact that while you and the rest of til
boys have been bowling aloud that unde
democratic supremacy the country wa
going to the dogs have been reiundin
the debt 1t is little curious that a
soon as the senate became democratic
confidence became restored, and the mo
ment the extra session was scaled and th
unrepentaDt rebels began to overturn tb
government money was invested 10 nation
al securities by hundreds of millions. Nov
shall show in my speech tonight, first
that the coincidence of national confidence
and prosperity with democratic ascen
dancy is due to the fact that the people
see that the democrats do not deserve
trust and they will be hurled from powel
some OF these generations. secondly, tina
the flow of money into the treasury indi
Gates the paralysis of all legitimate
business and trade, owing to the
presence at Washington of the confederate
brigadiers. You see that this line Of
argument resembles tie coon. trap which
was set to catch the coon going or com.
ing"
That is remarkably good idea" sale
Mr. Blaine, and l am glad to see you
sock it to the confederate brigadiers
Have YOU anything more about the soliC
south2"
Lots, lots" said Mr.. Sherman gee
fully. You recollect ConkliDg's argu
ment about the small amount contribut
ed to the federal treasury by the south
Conkllngs an ass, but still there's some
thing IN the idea, and intend to adopt i
and show that inasmuch as the people O
the south appear on the returns as payinl
small proportion of the customs duties
and internal revenue taxes they should
not be allowed 80 large representation il
the government. Of course the areumen
Is idiotic, because the consumer pays tn,
duty, though the importer or manufactu
Ter hands it lover to the government; still
itll do. It'llIsatisfy those who don't know
any better, and those who do will keel
quiet"
But, say, Sherman" said Mr., Blain
warmly, this won't do at all. That is
two-edged sword which sewers the wronj
joints and marrow. For instance here ar
the returns of customs receipts for 1877
which show that in Maine we collecte,
$685., 100 O8, or on an average So cent
per head OF population. Now in EIorid