Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-08-19
Mckinley May be "Kuifad "

BLAINE'S FRIENDS IN DANGEROUS MOOD
A FAMOUS TARIFF EPISODE.
The New York Herald contained the fol-
loving among its Washington dispatches:
Do the Blaine republicans believe that
the success of Mckinley would make the
tariff the overshadowing issue in 1891, and
are are the Blaine republicans for this rea-
sou preparing to knife the author of the
tariff bill in Ohio this yeal?
Tae Herald's Columbus dispatches indi-
cate that they ere, and well informed poll.
ticians believe that the Herald is right.
Mr. Mckinley more completely embodies
the protection principle than any other
American, and it may be said for Mr..
Blaine that in him the reciprocity idea finds
it's strongest and most intelligent advocate.
Mr.. Blaine is bitterly antagonistic to tie
protective idea as it finds expression in the
Mckinley tariff law. What, then, more
natural than that he should covertly desire
the defeat of its acknowledged champion in
gubernatoriai contest where tariff reform
and tariff prohibition furnish the battle
cries for the respective forces engaged?
Secretary Blaine called at thu appropra
tions committee-room Of the Senate On June
10. 1890, to discuss with Messrs. Allison,
Hale and Blackburn theexpenditures of his
department for the following fiscal year.
The tariff bill had passed the House a few
weeks previously and WAS then under dis
cussiOn 10 the Senate. To the surprise of
his auditors Mr.. Blaine vigorously denOunc-
ed the message. Hs characterized it as
sinfsmous," and said that if he had been
member of the House he would have voted
aoaips. 1t. Soms months later. after these
facts had been given to the public through
the medium of the Herald and there was
no further reason for concealment, Senator
Black burn gave me detailed account of
the soane in tho committee room ard what
the Secretary really said. 1t was much
stronger indictment of the measure than
had yet appeared in print, and, taken in
connection with the present situation in
Ohio makes what the late Simon Cameron
would call "mighty interesting reading"
'.The Secretary was in rather neglige Co.'S
tune, as suited the temperature" said SEN
| tor Blackburn, ''except as to particularly
glossy and irreproachable silk hst-a brand
new shining plug. The tariff bill, MUD
you. had no.hirg to Go with the subject in
hand, but in a casual way broached it af-
ter the usual greetings had been exchang-
! ed.
| "Probably l asked Mr.. Blaine how he
| liked it. Imagine my surprise-aud shall
l say gratification?- he launched forth
torrent of inyectives against the act that
Mckinley fathered. "This bill is az infamy
and an outrage said Mr.. Blaine. 1t is
| the most shameful measure ever proposed
TO civilized people. Go on with it and it
will carry our party to perditiOD.'
Il was" continued Senator Blackburn,
"feeling considerably interested and said,
| Il wish you were in the Senate, Mr.. Blaine.
to announce yourself in such TERMS 4
wish @ere,' he answered. IF so l wnuld
stamp II under ing feet and spit upon it,
and then advancing toward Senators Alli-
| son and Hale he snapped his fingers in the
| face of each alternately, and with rising
| infection said: Go on with your driveling
| idiocy and see to what destruction it will
lead the republican partyl Pass this bill
and in 1892 there will not be man in all
the party 30 bcggared as to accept your
nomination for the presidency.
| 'sThen he begsn to dissect the bill merci-
lessly, particularly the sugar schedule. This
| he inveighed against with all his force. l
reminded him that the Senate had i'm
proved upon the labo:s of the House as re-
gafded sugar; that to protect an American
industry involving the enormous labor OF
boring a hole in q maple tree and boiling
the juica the Senate had agreed to give the
maple sugar growers CT New England
bounty of two cents. This was the first he
| had heard Of it and he seemed hardly able
to credit what told.
"'Is isn't true,' he said.
WHAT WILL EDMUNDs SAY TO THIS?
"All;son and Hale confirmed me. i sup
pose this was done at tbs solicitation OF