The morning call., 1890-11-08
Senator Blackburn Tells a Mar
Yelous Story.
lie Accuses Blaine Of Having Denounced
the Mckinley Bill.
Predicting That Its Passage Would Cause
the Downfall Of the Republican
Party-Sl Strong Language.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

WASHINGTON, Nov. T. Senator Joe
Blackburn, after many weeks secrecy. to-
day told an intensely interesting story about
Blaine and his wonderful political fore
sight. 1t is the talk of Washington tonight.
and Blaine is complimented on every hand
for his marvellous political sagacity. Sena-
tor Blackburn returned yesterday from Ken
tucky, and in speaking about the election
results to several correspondents said:
"Out Of the general wreck arises soli-
tary figure, alone but conspicuous. That
figure is Mr.. Blaine. Always towering, lie
now appears peerless in pre-eminenee. He
alone emerges from the crush of disaster
unhurt, unruff1ed. To him his party will
turn as the only Moses or Joshua that can
lead it out from the mire of defeat to
solid ground, where footing may yet be
gained, and now that it is all over, will
tell you of scene that witnessed in which
Mr. Blaine WAS the principal actor; a scene
that to me was SO full of intensity as 10 be
almost dramatic, and which will never fade
from my memory. 1t has never been told
before.
"The-McKinley bill had been passed by the
House and was on the calendar of the Sen-
ate. though it had not yet been taken up.
1t was particularly warm day in July.
when Senators Allison, hale and myself sat
in the Senate Appropriation Committee
room, waiting for Mr.. Blaine, with whom
we we're to consult as a subcommittee.
about the consular and diplomatic budget
There was no one else present except the
clerk of the committee.
Blaine finally appeared, and with him
Curtis, the accomplished Secretary of the
Pan-American Congress. The Secretary
was rather in neglgee costume, as suited
the temperature, except as TO particularly
glossy and irreproachabe silk hat, brand
new shining plug.
THE TARIFF BILL BROUGHT UP.
The Tariff Bill, mind you, hal nothing
to do with the subject in hand, but in a
casual way l broached it after the usual
greetings had been exchanged. Probably l
asked Mr.. Blaine how he liked it. Imagine
my surprise and, shall 1 say. qualification,
when he launched forth a torrent of in-
yectives against the act that Mckinley
fathered. He said:
1t is the most shameful measure ever pro-
and it will carry our party to perdition.'
II was feeling considerably interested, and
said: i wish you were in the Senate, Nj.
Blaine, to announce yourself in such terms
"wOULD SPIT UPON IT."
"'I wish / were,' he answered. If SO,
would stamp it under my feet and spit upon
IT, then, advancing toward Senators Alli-
oil baS finrGr IN q
face of each, alternately, and, with rising
infection, said:
'''Go on with your drivelng idiocy and
see to what destruction it will lead the Re
publican party. Pass this bill and in 1892
there will not be a man in all the party so
the Presidency,
DIssECTING THE BILL.
"Then he began to dissect the bill, par
ticularly the sugar schedule. This he in
Weighed against with all his force. | re-
minded him that the Senate had improved
upon the labors of the House as regarded
sugar; that to protect an American indus
try involving the enormous labor of boring
q hole in maple tree and boiling the juice
the Senate had agreed to give the maple
sugar growers of New England bounty of
two cents.
A SAMPLE OF CRAFTSMANSHIP.
That was the first he had heard of it, and
he seemed hardly able to credit what told
him."
1t isn't true he said.
"'AllisOn and Hale confirmed me-
" i suppose this was done at the sOlicita-
tion OF Morrill, and Edmunds?' he inquired.
Mr.. Allison replied in the Affirmative"
:" 1t is good sample of the breadth of their
craftsmanship said the Secretary, and then
then the climax came. His new beaver was
lying Oh the table in easy reach.
BLAINE's VIOLENT EMOTION.
with a sudden blow he brought his
clenched hand down on it with such force as
to mash 1t flatter than pancake.
and then, sezing the battered chapeau, lie
hurled it against the wall violently. l never
saw such an ebulliton, but IL only en-
phasized the deep earnestness with which
the Secretary argued against the policy,
about which his opinion as then given now
seems prophetic"
THE NEXT NOMINEE.
Will he be the Republican nominee in
1922" was asked Senator Blackburn.
Certainly; from now on no other man
will be thought of, and henceforth you will
see still wider divergence on his part from
the course of the Harrison administration"
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