Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-11-12
What Blaine Said of the Mckinley Bill.

What Blaine Said of the Mckinley Bill.
Last week, in an interview with the re-
porter of the Washington Post, Senator
Joe Blackburn of Kv., after expressing his
qualification at the great Democratic victo-
~, and assigning tie Mckinley Bill and
the Force Bill as the chief causes, said:-
"And now that it is all over 1 will tell
you of ecene 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 never been been
told before.
''The Mckinley bill had been passed by
the House and was on the calendar of-the
Senate, though not yet taken up. 1t was a
partic llarly warm day in July when Sena-
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 accomplished secretary
of the Pan-American Congress. The Sac
rotary was rather in neglige costume, as
suited the temperature, except as to par
ticularly glossy and irreproachable silk hat
"a brand new shining plug. The tariff
bill, mind you, had nothing TO do with the
subj ect in hand, but, ina casual way, 1
| preached it after the usual greetings had
been exchanged. Probably asked Mr..
Blaine how he liked it. Imagine my
surprse-and shall I cay gratifcation?-
when he launched forth a torrent of invec-
tive against the act that Mckinley f.ther-
| ed.
"He said this bill is an infamy and an
outrage. 1t is the most shameful measure
ever proposed to civilized people. Go on
with if, and it will carry our party to per-
dition.'
81 was feeling considerably interested,
and said: I Y ish you were in the Senate,
Mr. Blaine, to announce yourself in such
TERMS
IL wish were, he answered; IF SO, l
| would stamp it under my feet, and spit up
On it, ard then advancing tow ard Senate s
Allison ard Hale, he snapped his fingers in
| the face of each alternately, and with rising
infection said:
"'Go CO with your dwelling idiocy and
| see to what destruction it will lead the Re
there will not be a man in all the party SO
beggared as to accept your nomination for
the presidency
"Then he began to dissect the bill mer.
clessly, particularly the sugar schedule
This he inveighed against with ell his force. |
I reminded him that the Senate had 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 and boiling /
the juice, the Senate had agreed to give the |
maple sugar growers of New England |
bounty of two cents.
"Tbis was the first he had heard of it, |
aud he seemed hardly able to credit what |
told.
1t is't tlue,' he said.
sAllison and Hale confirmed me.
IL suppose this was done at the solicita-
ton of Morrill, and Edmuhds?' he inquired |
''Mr. Allison replied in the affirmative. |
SIT is good sample of the breadth of
their statemanship.' said the Secretary.
Sand then the climax came His new
beaver was lying on the table in easy reach. |
With sudden blow he brought bis clench-
ed hand down on it with such force as to
mash it f4tter than a pancake, and then,
seizing the battered chapeau, be hurled it
against the wall violently. l never saw
such ebullition, but it only emphasized the
deep earnestness with which the Secretary
argued against policy about which his
opiniov as then given now seems prophet
ic.
"Wlll he be the Republican nominee in
'92?
Certainly. From now on no other man
will be thought of, and henceforth you will
see still wider divergence on his part from |
the curse of tho Harrison administration. |
PRESENTATION OF $500 IN GOLD TO Hon. |
JOHN E MASSEY AND WIFE.-In Rich
mond, on last Saturday, as a testimonial
of Their esteem, the City and County Super |
intendents of Schools presented to Hon.
John E. Massey, State Superintendent of
Pablo Instruction, snd his wife purse of
$500 in gold, TIE presentation, socom-
panied by happy speech, was made by
Superintendent Murray, of Norfolk, the
accomplished editor of the Norfolk Land
mwk. 1t was appropriately responded to
by Mr.. Massey.
The Dispatch says that at the conclusion
of Mr.. Massey's remarks and while he was
receiving congratulations and good wishes,
Hon. R. Taylor Scott, the Attorney Gsaer-
al of the State, stepped forward and pres
ented Mrs. Massey with a large and beau.
tiful basket of choice flowers in behalf of l
the corps of superintendent. His re.
marks, gem Of oratory, concluded as fol.
lows: "We crown you to-day with flowerr,
bright and beautiful and fragrant. May
your future life be ever as full of happiness
and gladness as this occasion is. aud may
your pathway be ever sire tn with such fit.
ting emblems of all that is pleasurab'e and
beautiful in life."