Wichita eagle., 1888-08-16


PORTLAND, Me, Aug. ia great mass
meeting was held in this city hall this af-
ternoon to express welcome to Hon. James
G. Blaine. Three thousand persons were
present. When Mr. Blaine appeared in
the corridor OF the building great shout
went up from the crowd outside and was
re-echoed by the throngs in the hall-men
cheering and the ladies waving their hand
kerchiefs. AS the gentleman assembled the
platform, Gen. Harry B. Cleves was called
upon to preside. He spoke briefly upon
introducing Mr. Blaine Mr. Blaine, in
opening his speech, referred to the Demo-
cratic clamor about trusts" which he
said were largely private affairs with
which President Cleveland nor any private
citizen has any right to interfere. He de-
MED that they were the outgrowth of
protective tariff, declared that England
is literally plastered all over with, under
her system of free trade, with trusts"
In Maine we are not able to devote our
selves to the affairs of the national cleo
ton but primarily to the state election,
and / am glad that both parties have
nominated gentlemen of uneXceptional
personal character and responsibility,
standing high in their community. against
whom, personally, nothing can be said.
That applies equally to Mr.. Putnam and
Mr.. Burleigh, and | am proud andglad to
say so Icheersl, for it leaves the contest
where it should sess-on principle Mr..
Putnam, l judge from "A speech of his
which | hold i'll my hand and which L
read in the Portland Argus of August 8.
is very uneasy in regard to the charges
that have been brought against him con-
corning the very disadvantageous treaty
he aided in making, giving away,
as L think, in large degree, the
rights of American fishermen. | have
read his speech with great interest, and |
found it to be mainly IN answer to some
criticism that Senator Frye, of this state,
had made on the president, the secretary
of state and the fisheries commission in
connection with the treaty. | have never
yet seen Senator Frye in any contest or
controversy in which he was not abund-
antly able to take his own part [Cheers.
SO far as the controversy between himself
and Mr.. Putnam is involved, it would be
sheer presumption in me to say anything
in behalf of our distinguished senator.
ICheers. | assure you from what | know
of him that he will be heard from in due
season. [Cheersl But what interested
me most in this speech of Mr. Putman's
was three or four lines that oc-
Cured somewhat paranthetically,
about the middle of his remarks.
AT this point" says the Argus, Mr.
Putnam discussed several features of the
treaty, showing the practical benefits
which our fishing fleet would derive from
the treaty" But the Argus did not think
1t worth while to mention what those
points of Mr.. Putnam's We're. Laughter
hnd applause. On all the points of criti-
rism of Mr.. Fryes speech Mr. Putnam
was full of affiuence, but Just in a breath
Ing spell, or as Artemus Ward used to say |
AL this point, desiring to rest my voice, |
will tell you little story" Laughter
SO about the time that Mr.. Putnam got !
half way in his speech he seems to have
needed little rest and told all these adj |
rantages to the American fishing fleet, |
which he did not seem TO include in his |
regular speech and which the Argus !
uld not seem to deem worth !
while reporting. daughter and applause |
Well. now, If there is anything in this |
question at all if there is anything in the /
world about which the American people |
are oncerned today touching this fishery |
question, 1t Is the interest of the fishing |
feet and that is the very point which the |
voters of Maine, before whom Mr.. Putnam |
appears as a candidate, are DESTROYS TO |
have him explain. For we believe-by we. |
] mean those opposed to the treaty-that ii |
is a complete abandonment OF the whole |
fishing interests of the United States, and !
] may myself, following the example of /
Senator Frye, at some future period OF this /
campaign take occasion TO show the |
grounds of my charge. [Great applausel. |
will promise you, if do, will not limit |
myself small three line parenthises in I
the middle of paragraph. lGreat ap-
plausel. On Monday of last week /
In which was crossing the !
arose from breakfast, there was /
suddenly one of the rumors that float /
with wonderful swiftneSs even over the /
largest OF steamers, that they were in the /
midst of fishing fleet. We had come 10 I
the banks of New Foundland during the |
night and as we rushed-those of US who !
were not seasick-to the deck We were
by some twelve or fifteen |
sailors of a fishing party, partly French. |
partly Canadian and more largely Ameri- /
can. The sea was rough, so much so that |
at least half of the passengers were very
seriously disturbed with the most I'M /
pleasant sensations known to human 1
nature. tLaughterl. But those of Us who /
could get on deck-and i will honestly 1
confess that was not one OF the Swlftest 1
in this rough sea she /
fishermen in their small boats, theft /
little dor es that were not more |
Than fifteen feet long out on |
those waves that seemed to those on the |
steamer to be rolling half the height of |
this great roam and they were taking up /
their travis with As little concern as |
Maine farmer would NOW his hay in July, /
ana there was one burst of admiration on |
that steamer on the daring and heroism |
and the splendor of the bravery that /
would risk life in contest with such |
angry elements Great applausel | said 1
10 myself then, and as ! say to you now.
that in my Judgment the United States