Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-08
NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Senator Blackburn TELLS a Story About
Blaine.
THE SECRETARY AS A PROPHET.
He Predicted Defeat to the Repub-
lican Party if the Mckinley
Bill Became a Law.
[REc1AL DuPArcHss TO THE REooRD-UNos.l
BLAINE DENOUNCED 1T.
He Predicted Defeat if the Mckinley Bill
Was Passed.

He Predicted Defeat if the Mckinley Bill
Was Passed.
WASHINGTON, November 7th.-Senator
Joe Blackburn, after many weeks of Sc
crecy, told an intensely interesting story
about Blaine and his wonderful political
foresight.
1t is the talk of Washington tonight,
and Blaine is complimented on every
hand for his marvellous political sagacity.
Senator Blackburn returned yesterday
from Kentucky, and in speaking about
the election results to several correspond
ents. said: Out OF the general wreck
arises a solitary hgure-elone, but con-
spicuous. That figure is Mr.. Blaine. AL
ways towering, he now appears peerless
in pre.eminence. He alone emerges from
the crush of disaster unhurt, and unrUtfi ed.
To him his party will look as the only
Moses or Joshua that can lead them 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 a
scene that l witnessed in which Mr.. Blaine
was the principal actor. A scene that to
me was SO full of In ensity as to be almost
dramatic, and which will never fade from
my memory. 1t has never been told.
1T was before the Mckinley had been
DdSScQ NY tuc I1OlsCs duQ N do Ou IL c OdlCu-
dar of the Senate, though not yet taken
up. It was a particularly warm day IN
July, when Senators Allison, Hale and
myself sat in the Senate Appropriations
Committee rooms, waiting for Mr.. Blaine,
with whom we were to consult, as a sub
committee. about the consular and diplo-
matte budget. There was present no one
else 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 neglige costume, as suited
the temperature, except as to particularly
glossy and irreproachable silk hat, brand
new shining plug.
"The tariff bill, mind you. had nothing
to do with the subject in hand, but in a
casual way l broacned it after the usual
greetings had been exchanged. Probably
asked Mr.. Blaine how he liked.it. Ina
CINE nay surprise, and shall | say gratitica
ton, when he launched forth in torrent
of invective against the Act that Mckinley
fathered. He said: This bill is an infamy
and an outrage. 1t is the most shameful
measure ever proposed to a civilized peo-
pie. Go on with it, and it will carry our
party to perdition.'
81 was feeling considerably interested
Mr. Blaine, to announce yourself in such
terms
Il wish I were he answered; if SO
would stamp it under my feet and spit
upon it., and then. advancing toward Sen
stors Allison and Hale be snapped his
fingers in the face of each alternately and
with rising infection said Go on with
your driveling idiocy and see to what de-
struction it will lead the Republican party.
Pass this bil and in 1892 there will not be
a man IN all the party so beggared as to
accept your nomination for the Presi-
dency.'
Then he began to dissect the bill merci-
lessly. particularly the sugar schedule. This
he inveighed against with all his force.
reminded him that the Senate had i'm
proved upon the lsbors of the House as re-
garded sugar. That, to protect an Ameri-
can industry involving the enormous labor
of boring a hole in the maple tree, and
boiling the Juice, the Senate had agreed to
give the maple sugar growers of New Eng
land bounty of two cents. That was the
first he had heard of it, and he seemed
hardly able to credit what told. 1t isn't
true, he said. Allison and Hale confirmed
me. L suppose this was done at the solici.
tation of Morrill, and Edmunds?' he in.
quired. Mr.. Allison replied in the affirma.
tive. 1t is good sample of the breadth ot
their craftsmanship, said the Secretary, and
then the climax came.
His new beaver was lying on the table
within easy reach. With sudden blow
he brought his clenched hand down on
it with such force as to mash it flatter than
a pancake. and then seizing the battered
chapeau he hurled it against the wall vio-
! lently. l never saw such an ebullition, but
it only emphasized the deep earnestness
with which the Secretary argued against
the policy about which his opinion as then
given now seems prophetic Will he. be
the Republican nominee in 1892? Ger
tainly, from now on DO other will be
thought of, and henceforth you will see 6
still wider divergence on his part from the
course of the Harrison administration"