Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-12-03
BLAINE AND the MCKINLEY BILL.
senator Biacl,burn's Story.

"And now that it is all over" contin-
ned the Kentucky Senator, II will tell
YOU of a scene that | witnessed in which
Mr.. Blaine was the principal actor-a
scene that, to me, was so full of intensity
as to be almost dramatic, and which will
never fade from my memory. 1t has new
er been told before.
"lhe Mckinley bill had been passed
by the House and was on the calendar of
the Senate though not yet taken up. 1t
was particularly warm day in July
when Senators Allison, Hale and myself
sat in the Senate Appropriations Commit
tee room waiting for Mr.. Blaine with
whom we were to consult, rs sub-com-
miitee, about the Consular and Diplomat
ic budget. There was present no one
else, except the clerk of the committee.
Mr.. Blaine finally appeared, and with
him Mr.. Curtis. the accomplished Secre-
tary 0! the Pan American Congress-
The Secretary was rather in neglige cos
tune, as suited the temperature, except
as to particularly glossy and irreproach-
able silk hat--a brand new shining plug.
The tariff bill, mind you, had nothing to
do wirhdhc subject in hand, but in O.
ual way | broached it after the usual
greetings had ueen Exchanged. Proba-
bly, asked Mr.. Blaine how he liked it.
Imagine my surprise-and shall l say
gratlfication-when he launched forth n
torrent of invective against the act that
Mr.. Mckinley fathered. He said; This
bill is an infamy and an outrage. Ii is
the most shameful measure ever proposed
to civilized people. Go on with it and
it will carry our party to perdition.
81 was feeling considerably interested,
and said Il wish you were in the Senate,
Mr.. Blaine, to announce yourself in such
terms al wish | were, he answered.
III 20, | would stamp it under my feet
and spit on it, and then advancing to-
ward Senators Allison and Hale, he snap
ped his finger in the face Of each alter
nntey, and with reflection said Go on
with your driveling idiocy and see to what
destruction it will lead the Republican
party. Pass this bill, and in '92 there
will not be man in all the party so beg
CARED as 10 accept your nomination Tor
the presidency
"Then he began TO dissect the bill mer-
cilessy, particularly the sugar schedule.
This he inveighed against with all his
force. reminded him that the Senate
improved upon the labors of the House as
regarded sugar; that to protect an Amer
lean industry involving the enormous
labor of boring hole in maplt tree and
boiling the juice, the Senate had agreed
to give the maple sugar growers Of New
England bounty Of cents.
This was the first he had heard of it,
and he seemed hardly able TO credit what
told him.
at isn't true, he said.
"Allison and Hale confirmed me.
al suppose this was done at the solicit
tation of Morrill, and EdmundsY ? he in
quired.
''Mr. Allison replied in the afiirma-
tive.
ait is good sample Of the breadth Of
their state.manship,' said the Secretary.
"And then the climax came. His new
beaver was lying on the table in easy
reach. With sudden blow he brought
his clenched hand down on it with such
force as to mash it fatter than pan
cake, aud then, sezing the battered cha
peau, he hurled it against the wall vio-
enty. / never saw such an ebullition,
but it only emphasized the deep earnest
ness with which the Secretary argued
against a policy about which his opinion
as then given now seems prophetic" :"