West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1890-11-27
THE MCKINLEY BILL
CONDEMNED BY JAMES @. BLAINE
Scenes In The Committee Room Last
July.


/ Senator Blackburn, OF kentucky,
discussing the election relates n
very interesting story about Secre-
tary Blaine. lie says
"And now that all is over" con
tinued the Kentucky Senator, Il
will tell You of a scene that Wit
messed in which Mr.. Blaine was
the principal actor---a scene that to
me, was so ful. Of intensity as to be
almost dramatic, and which will
never fade from my memory. 1t
has never been told before,
1.-The Mckinley bill had been
passed by the House aud was on
the Calender of the Senate. though
not yet taken up. 1t was a partlcu-
larly warm day in July when Sena-
tors Allison, Hale and myself sat
in the Senate Appropriation Com.
mittee room waiting for MIR. Blaine
with whom VIC Tere TO consult, as
a sub. committee, about the Con.
sular and Diplomatic budget. There
was present no one else, except the
clerk of the committee. Mr..
Blaine finally appeared, and with
him Mr.. CARTS, the accomplished
Secretary Of the Pan American Con.
gress. The Secretary was rather
IN negligc costume, MS suited the
temperature, except as to partic-
ularly glossy and irrcproachable
silk hat-a brand new shining plug.
The tariff bill, mind you, had moth
ing to do with the subject in hand
but in casual way broached it
after the usual greetings had been
exchanged. Probably asked Mr.
Blaine how he liked it. Imagine
my surprisc--and shall | say graft.
iication when he launched forth Il
torrent Of invecti5e against the act
that Mr.. Mckinley fnthcred. He
a.id: Tins bill is an iaflmy a.d
RIA Outrage. It's the most shame.
ful measure ever proposed TO \ civ.
-ilized people. Go on with it aud it
viii cirry our party to pordition.
Il was feeling considerably intcr-
r9.cd. ral- ia: 81 wish you were
ia the senate, Mr. Diaine. to sn-
nouncc yourself in such terms"
Il vi9li | we're" he ausworcd. If
80, ! would stamp II under NY feet
AID spit OF il, and then advancing
t)s rls Senators Allison and Hale.
lie suapoed his iiuger in tie face Of
cAca Alternately, aul with reflection
said: "Go on with your driyeling
idiocy and sec 10 Whit destruction
it viii lcal the Republican party
Pass this bill and IN % there will
not be a man IN all the party so
begg as to accept your NOM.
nation for the presidency"
Then he began to dissect the bill
mercilcssly, particularly the sugar
schedule This he inyelghcd against
with all his force. reminded him
that the Senate improved upon the
labors OF tie House as regarded su-
gar that to protect an American
industry involving the cnormods
labor Of boring hole in maple
tree and boiling the juice, the Sen
ate 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 ablo to
credit what told him.
"'It isn't true" he said.
"Allison and Hale confirmed me.
" 4 suppose this was done at the
solicitation q Morrill, and Ed
munds p he inquired.
Mr. Allison replied in the afi-
native.
"It is good sample Of the
breadth Of their statemanship, ="
said the Secretary.
"And then the climax came.
The new beaver was lying on the tab
le in easy reach. With a sudden blow
he brought his clenched hand down
on it with such force as to mash it
iiatter chan pan cake, and then,
seizing the battered cheapeau, he
hurled it against the wall violently.
] never saw such an ebulition, but
it oulycmphasized the deoD ear.
ncstness with which the Secretary
argued against apolicy about which
bis opinion as then given now seems
/ prophetic"