Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-11-09
A DRAMATIC SCENE.
Senator blackburn Tells IA Story OF Mr.
Blaine's Rage Over the Mckinley Bill.

WASHINGTON, November S.-Senauor
blackburn, of Kentucky, who arrived here
last night, in discussing the elections re-
lated very interesting story ABOUT Secre-
tary Blaine. He said:
"And now that all is over" continued
the Kentucky Senator, II will tell you of a
scene that witnessed in which Mr. Blame
was the principal actor-a scene that, 70
me. was so full of intensity as to be almost
dramatic. and which will never fade from
my memory. II has never been told be-
fore.
sThe Mckinley bill had been passed by
the House and was on the calendar or the
Senate, though not yet taken up. 1t was
particularly warm day in July when Sen
tors Allison, Hale and myself sat IN the
Senate Appropriations Committee room
waiting for Mr. Blaine, with whom we
were to consult, as a subcommittee, about
the Consular and Diplomatic budget.
There was present no one else, except the
clerk of the committee. Mr. Blaine finally
appeared, and with him Mr.. Curtis, the ac-
complished Secretary of the Pan
American Congress. The Secretary
was rather in negige costume, as
suited the temperature, except as
to a particularly glossy and irreproachable
silk hat-a brand-new shining plug. Inc
tariff bill, mind you, had nothing to do
with the subject in hand, but in a casual
way | broached it after the usual greetings
had been exchanged. Probably | asked
Mr.. Blaine how he liked IT, Imagine my
surprise-and shall | say qualification =
when he launched forth torrent OF invec-
tive against the act that Mckinney iath-
eraA He said: This bill is an infamy
and an outrage 1t is the most shameful
measure ever proposed TO civilized peo-
ple. Go on with it, and it will carry our
party to perdition."
II was feeling considerably interested,
and said: Il wish you were IN the Senate,
Mr.. Blaine, to announce yourself IN such
terms - a. wish | WERE he answered
If so. | would stamp it under my feet and
snit ON IT,, and then advancing toward
Senators Allison and Hale, he snapped his
finger in the face Of each alternately. and
with reflection said: Go on with your
driveling idiocy and see to what destruc-
ton it will lead the Republican party Pass
this bill, and in '92 there Will not be man
in ali the party so beggared as to accept your
nomination for the presidency
Then he began to dissect the bill merci-
lesslv, particularly the sugar schedule.
This he inveighed against with all ms
force | reminded him that the Senate I'M
proved upon the labors of the House as re-
garded sugar; that to protect an American
Industry involving the enormous labor OF
boring hole in a maple tree ana ooiling
the iuice, the Senate had agreed TO give
the maple sugar growers of New Englana
a bounty of 2 cents.
sThis was the first he had heard OF 1t,
and he seemed hardly able to credit what
| told him.
"It isn't true he said.
"Allison and Hale confirmed me.
"I suppose this was done at the sohclta-
tion of Morrill, and Edmunds.' he injured.
.Mr. Allison replied in the affirmative;
"It is good sample of the breadth OF
their craftsmanship, said the Secretary.
And then the climax came. His new
beaver was lying on the table in easy reach
With a sudden blow he brought his clench-
e6 hand down on it with such force as TO
mash il fiatter than a pan cake, and, then,
seizing the battered chapeau, he hurled IT
against the wall violently. l never saw
snch an ebullition, but it only emphasized
the deep earnestness with which the Secre-
tary argued against a policy about which
his opinion as then given now seems pro-
phatip -