The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1890-11-14
The 9eilrorrat.


The following dispatch shows Blaine's
political foresight,
Senator Joe Blackburn, after many weeks
OF secrecy, tells an Intensely interesting
story about Blaine and his wonderful polit.
ieal foresight. Ills the talk Of Washing
ton, and Blaine is eompllmented on every
hand for his marvellous political sagacity.
Senator blackburn returned yesterday
from Kentucky, and In speaking about the
election results to several correspondents,
said:
Out Of the general wreck arises solitary
figure alone, but conspicuous. That figure
is Mr. Blaine. Always towering, he now
appears peerless In prominence. lie alone
emerges from the crush of disaster unhurt.
To him his party will turn as the only
Moses or Joshua that can lead Il out from
the mire Of defeat to solid ground where a
footing may yet be gained, and now, that
II is all over, will tell you OF scene
witnessed In which Mr. Blaine was the
principal actor, scene. that, to me, was so
tnll OF intensity as to be almost dramatic,
md which will never fade from my mem
oTy. II has never been told before. The
Mckinley bill had been passed by the house
and was on the calendar In the senate,
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, whom we were to
consult as a sub comnittee about the con-
sular and diplomatic budget. There was
no one else present except the elerA of the
committee. Blaine finally appeared, and
with him, Curtis, the accomplished secre-
tary OF the Pan-Ameriean congress. The
secretary Was rather In negligee costume,
as suited the temperature. except as to a
particularly glossy and lrreproachable silk
hat, a brand. new, shining plug. The tariff
bill, mind you, had nothing to do with the
subject In hand. but IN a casual way l
brSaehed Ii after the usual greetings had
been exchanged. Probably asked Mr.
Blaine how he liked it. Imagine my sur
prise, and shall l cay qualification, when he
launched forth torrent OF invectives n
gainst the act that Mckinley fathered.
He said:
"This bill Is an iniamy and an outrage.
II l. the most shameful measure ever pro-
posed to civilized people. Go on with 1t
and Il will carry our party to perditlon."
was Nfeeling considerably interested
and said;
"I wish you were In the senate, Mr
Blaine,t to announce yourself In such terms.
81 wish l were," he answered. "If so
would stamp 1t under my feet and spit
upon It."
Then advancing toward Senators ALL
son and Hale he snapped his fingers In the
face Of each alternately, and with rising
Infection said
"GO on with your dwelling idiocy and
ses to what destruction L will lead the re-
publican party. Pass this bill and In IS9l
there will not be a man In all the party
80 beggared as to accept your nomination
for the presidency"
Then he began to disseet .he bill, par
ticularly the sugar schedule. This he In
Weighed against with ali his force. l re-
minded him that the senate had improved
upon the labors Of the house as regarded
sugar; that to protect an American indust
~ involving the enormous labor Of boring
hole On a maple tree and boiling th'
juice, the senate had ageeed to give thu
maple sugar-growers Of New England
bounty..of cents. That was the first h
had heard Of II and he seemed hardly Abl
TO credit what told him.
at is not true, he said. Allison and Hal
confirmed me.
"I suppose this was done at the solicila
ton Of Morrill, and Edmuuds." he inquired
Mr. Allison replied In the affirmative.
ait Is q good sample of the breadth @
their Siatesmanship," said the secretary
and then the climax came. His new beave
was lying on the table within easy reach
With n sudden blow he brought hi
nched hand down on II with such fore
as TO mash It Aatter than pancake, and the
seizing the battered chapeau he hurled
against the wall violently. l never say
an ebullition, but 1t only emphasized tn
deep earnestncss with which the secretar
argued against the policy, about which hi
opinion as then given now seems pro
pheticT
"Will he be the republican nominee o
Is07r was asked of Senator Blackburn.
"Certainly; from now on no other ma
will be thought Of, and henceforth yol
will see q still wilder divergence on his par
fiom the course of the Harrison admin
istraiIon."