Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-09-02
Mr.. Blaine and the argus.

4
TO the Kcnnebec Journal:
The Portland Argus lroths at the mouth
on Speaker Blaine's letter OF acceptance,
and after column of abuse proposes to
annihilate that gentleman by series of
connundrums which it calls upon him to
answer. The most wcighty, lengthy
and serious OF them is the following.
GLOW he having been elected to Con-
gress when comparatively poor and pay.
ing less than hundred dollars year
rent for his family residence. has been
able in the public service, at not over
$4,000 year legitimate wages, TO 'lay
up" from one hundred to one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars n year, Gas cur
rcntly reported and never rs yet denied
that we have SEEM, and at the same time
living in style OF opulencc hardly sur.
passed by the most wealthy ?"
In the first place Mr.. Blaine neverlivcd
in n "rcnled house" in Augusta at any
time, for one hundred dollars year-or
any other sum. His present residence
was purchased by him more than year
before he took his seat in Congress, and
his style of living, so far rs his friends
and ncighbors know, is precisely the
same now that it was then. lie paid the
enormous and extravagant sum Of five
thousand dollars we believe, and possibly
has shingled his barn since and repaired
his fence. Iflhe Argus or the Democratic
party desire to know the particulars we
will enquire.
As to Mr. Blane's laying mp 100000
to $3.50, 900 year every body reads such
nonsense with contempt IL is too ridic-
ulous even for campaign falkland too
silly Tor any paper but the Argus to retail.
Why not put his savings at i million and
be done with ii
Mr.. Bainc's sworn income ontsidc OF
official salary has for n series of years
been from five TO seven thousand dollars.
He pays taxes in the city of Augusta on
valuation Of about ;hirty-,wo thousand
dollars, and is known beside TO have
valuable property in Pennsylvania which
he purchased, the Argus will please OBJ
serve in 1873, when Mr.. Blaine edited
the Portland Advertiser. The purchase
Of coal property at that time was one in
which several capitalists in Portland and
on the Kenne5cc were urged by Mr..
Blaine to take an interest They all de-
clined and Mr.. Blaine went heavily into
debt for the whole. It's generally under
stood among Mr.. Blaine's friends that the
investment proved very remunerative.
The complaint that Mr.. Blaine owns
property in Pennsylvania and spends the
! income OF it in Maine, is one that we can
not see the precise force Of from Maine
standpoint! We no not sec what Maine
has 10 complain of in the matter.
The facts thus briefly stated compose
the whole history of Mr.. Blaine's property
about which the Democratic party have
made themselves so restless and ridiculous
during the past two or three years.
If it will be any satisfaction, however,
10 the Argus, we give it rs our opinion
that Mr.. Blaine, il be lives, is destined 10
DC wealthy man. He is careful, prudent
industrious and energetic in business
affairs, enjoys in large degree the'co
lldencc of the leading capitalists in Mslne
and other New England States and can
any time command money by the trust
rcposcd in his sagaciiy and integrity by
these capitalists.
But MI. Blaine's financial life ard his
political lie are two distinct things. We
personally know that at this very time he
is urged by his leading associates in bust
ness to give up political life entirely and
accept = compensation which is more
than double his official pay, and which
would leave him at home nearly the en-
tire year. But Mr.. Blaine would be
strangely constituted if at his time of life
he should wish 10 retire from sphere OF
public duty in which his success has been
so gratifying, and if he should desire it,
his Kcnnebec constituency would very
unanimously object.
At other times the Argus has made it
self very busy about Speaker Bainc
Washington residence. 1t is quite true
that Mr.. Blaine has kept house in very
genteel, but not extravagant style. since
he was Speaker. He purchased a good
residence. made partial payment, and
mortgaged it for the remainder and there
by made large annual saving as com.
pared with the usual manner Of taking a
furnished house. 1t has always been the
custom of the Speaker to keep house and
give receptions" and we are glad to
know that the credit of Maine for hospi.
: tality has not suffered by the course pur-
sued by Mr.. Blaine.
Fifteen hundred Paris hackmen have
volunteered for the French army. The