The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-10-16
THE VERY PERPLEXING SITUATION IN
WHICH THE GIFTED BLAINE
Is PLACED.
A Strong Showing Against the Probability
of an Extra Session of Congress-
Special Correspondent of STATESMAN:


the Republicans entered into the
fight for the next house OF represent
atives that even the services OF Harri-
son were enlisted. A president on
the stump is not a very novel exhibit
ton; neither is it very dignitied
spectacle. But Harrison is also kill
ing two birds with one stone. He
wants the people to be convinced that
he is still alive, and will be in prime
condition for a second term IN the
white house two years hence. At
this phase of the matter Blaine
smiles, and hints that trade reciproc.
ity will be the main issue in that
campaign, and none fitted better than
him to lead the fight.
Speaking of Blaine it can be said
that political pressure has been too
much for him and he has consented to
90 out to Ohio to make a couple OF
speeches. 1t is tough job for him,
though, as it is intimated that at
least one of them must he spoken in
McKinley's district. The Secretary
only remembers the Ohio congress-
man as the individual who snubbed
nm last winter when he gave that
reciprocity talk to the committee on
ways and means in McKinley's own
rooms at the Ebbit House. Hence
he is not over anxious to tell the peo-
pie what great man they have in the
manager of the tariff bill which opens
not market for a grain OF wheat or
single pound OF American pork. As
Mckinley opposed the reciprocity
amendment to the tariff act, of course,
Mr.. Blaine must of necessity praise
the measure without that provision
and which he 80 recently denounced
in such magnetic terms. Incidental
ly, he will have to show what a mag
nificent fellow Mckinley must be to
get up an economic measure which
received his unbounded denunciation.
In fact, when Blaine goes into the
Mckinley district to speak for Major
Mckinley he will have to do the most
acrobatic straddling he has ever at
tempted as a first class political
gymnast.
Aside from politics the principal
talk here now is as to the extra seq
sion to be or not to be. 1t can be
said most positively that the action OF
the president in the premises has not
been settled finally. Reed, Edmunds,
and all the most pronounced radicals
have signifed their desire to the pres
ident that congress shall come to-
gether next month to pass the force
bill. Against them, however, is
pitted Blaine, who believes it would
turn out to be the most stupendous
piece of political folly ever committed.
The president before leaving put some
pointed questions to those who urge
an extra session for political purposes
alone. If, he said, such session is
called notification thereof must go out
from the executive many days before
the November elections, and what in
consequence would be the effect on
the conservative voters of the country
who dislike change in political pro-
cedure or those timid business men
who view with alarm any interference
with the existing prosperous condl-
tons in the South? Another thing,
even after the risk is run OF possible
nonular inimical action, will anything
be gained by an extra session?
1t is admitted that Democratic sem
ators will oppose the force bill and will
talk it to death, hence to pass it revo-
lutionary proceedings must be re-
sorted to in the senate far surprising
the despotic tactics followed by Tom
Reed in the house. Will it not be-
Just as easy, the president inquiries, to
force the force bill through the senate
in December as in November! If 80,
then the president cannot be held re-
sponsible for the legislation or the
methods through which it was &C
complished, as he will most surely
have to father all the blame should he
bring congress together in extra SEES
sion to do the mischief. Harrison is
more than cunning, he is cautious;
and the slowness of his movements
will not be accelerated by the con-
viction that perhaps he after all, and
not congress, may have to bear the
odium of this governmental domino
ton of local elections by force, and
force alone.
The tragic death of Will Sprague,
out in Washington, brings anew to
mind the troubles of this noted fam
ily. At the bottom OF all its Attic
tions, like many more in lowly life,
stalks the alcoholic spector. Senator
Sprasue, worth his millions and
surfeited with political honors, won
the beautiful daughter of Chief JUS
tice Chase. They made their home
with the brides father. At that
time l lived opposite to them.
Magnificent receptions we're the or
der of the day, at which the Chief
Justice assisted in the entertainment
of guests. But the senator was
absent. More times than one have
l seen him struggle around to the
rear and enter his own house through
the back yard while fashion and
,,,;at,, hold swav in tho front M rlhr,