Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-02-08

WASHINGTON, February AT the
sitting of Judge Poland's commit
tee this morning, John G. Blair was
examined by Representative Stephen
son. Witness testified that he was the
original contractor of the Sioux City,
Iowa Falls and Dubuque railroad, with
Pratt Smith, of Dubuque, John +. Duns-
comb, of Fort Dodge, and w. w.
Walker, of Cedar Rapids. He detailed
the history of the building of the road,
the legislation by Congress renewing the
land grand Of 1856 to the State, the leg
islation OF the State giving grant TO
the rOad-and testified that not dollar
was expended in procuring such legisla-
ton, either before Congress or the State
Legislature; witness never expended
cent for matchmaking any one, either
member of Congress or a private citi-
zen; there was not single road across
Iowa to-day that was worth the
money which il cost 10 build it;
witness referred to the list of subscrip-
tions, and testified that VIM. b. Allison
took ten shares; be paid for his stock
and never got a penny for his services;
the firm Of Samuel Hooper & Co. had
stock; Oakes Ames was a large subscri-
Der; J. +. Wilson and Glenni w. SchO-
field were subscribers also; the Govern
ment need not talk too much of the
land given TO Iowa, as il amounted to
nothing, nearly all of it being worth
less: it reminded him Of the Frenchman
who had given away two thousand dol
lars before breakfast, and when asked
how he made it, replied: +" have just
marked my goods up" Laughter
Question-Do you know Of James G..
Blaine (MaiDe) being a subscriber?
Answer-I can't say about Mr.. Blaine;
/ believe be held some stock, which he
got from Mr.. Coburns, of Maine; wit
ness never had any correspondence with
Mr.. Blaine about taking stock; the
members of Congress who held stock
bought and paid for it, and none was
given to them for corrupt purposes;
the county taxation of upland grants
held by the company were immense; in
one county where there were but two
hundred and thirty-four voters, they
taxed US on our land grant and got two
million dollars; they tax US for building
and supporting schoolhouses which they
never built. In one case one of the
counties taxed US enormously for the
building Of a schOolhouse which a man
lived in, and we had TO pay his wife
sixty dollars a month for teaching his
own children [laughterl; they catch at
every kind Of taxation to get hold OF our
money.
Judge Merriek-Is that in Iowa?
Answer-Ie es, sir. That is where men
of enterprise go. Laughter Why,
sir, il reminds me of the Dutchman's
NJ aud 10.
his father, "Dad, come oGt West; the
neanest kind of men get office out
here.n TRenewed laughter Witness
further testified that the name Of James
G. Blaine did not appear on the list of
stockholders. All that witness knew
about Blaine having stock was what
had been testified before this commit
tee. No influence was brought to bear
upon Congress tc have the land grant to
the State renewed. That was a matter
which it was stated he was attending to.
He never heard of any promise ever be-
ing made to any member of Congress.
Hon. Samuel Hooper then testified
that the firm Of which he is a member
subscribed to the stock of the Sioux City
and Iowa Falls road.
QuestiOn-To what extent was your
firm interested, and what was your pro-
portion?
Mr.. Hooper replied that he had no OBJ
lection 70 telling, but he could not see
why the committee wanted to inquire
into his private affairs.
The witness then exhibited a state
ment, showing the amount held by the
firm to be one hundred and eighty-nine
! thousand one hundred dollars. Witness
| knew that Ames and Mr.. Allison held
stock in the road; the subscription was
made by a partner in the firm, but not
until after consultation.
Hon. James G.. Blaine was recalled
and examined by Mr.. Stevenson.
Question-How was the subscription
| Of COiwin's obtained to the Iowa Falls
and Sioux City stock?
Dir. Blaine-I don't understand your
| question. --...
Mr.. StevensOn-I win state it more
direct. Had you anything TO do with
! the subscription of Colwin?
Mr.. Blaine-I answered that before
very frankly; John G. Blair was here
/ talking the matter over with some
| friends, among them Senator Grimes;
/ he mentioned the subject to me; l said
| I had no funds; couldn't take any
| stock; 1 subsequently wTote to Messrs.
Coburns; they took two hundred thou
sand dollars worth; witness didn't re-
member of having had any converse
ton with Blair on the subject; came up
| In conversation with Senator Grimes.
1Ir. SteVenson-IOu have stated so
/ IN your former testimony; have you it
with you?
Mr.. Blaine-No sir. l was deprived
Of getting it several days on account OF
your OBTAINING it in your possession,
and could not correct it.
Mr. stevenson-You stated in youI
/ former testimony that you had business
| transactions with the Messrs. Coburn-
will you state what those transactions
were?
Mr.. Blaine-If the committee thinks
that is a proper question, and asks me-
/ will answer; but those transactions
were entirely of a private nature; how
ever, ] don't object to stating them II
l the committee wants me to.
! Judge Poland-Oh, well, we have nc
right 10 inquire into private business not
affecting this investigation.
Mr.. Stevenson--I now propose Ia
cross-examine Mr.. Blaine on his former
testimony.
Mr.. Blaine-I would like 10 know
what new testimony you have beer
| bringing in now that you wish TO cross
examine me, or is that your knowledge
of law?
Mr.. Blaine Ito the committee)-l
don't propose to be catechized by Mr.
| Stevenson in what should call, out o
this room, a very impudent manner
The proper course for Mr.. Stevenson
would have been, after introducing his
resolution in the House, TO come down
here and give his testimony and cleal
! out. but instead he throws out his drag
net in the house to catch the Speaker
and comes down here as counter at
torney, asking me If the statements IN
makes are true. / confsss, sir, feel in
dignant at this course. think II Is 81
against common deceney.
Mr.. Stevenson-1t appears to me tina
| have been arTaigned before this com
Il mittee.
4 Mr.. Blaine-Yes, sir, do arraign you
Judge POland-Well, gentlemen,
think we will have to suspend this cause
Mr.. Stevenson-I wish to ask MI
Blaine what he gave the Coburns for tn
stock they got?
Mr.. Blaine-I told you before that
4 gave then thirty-two thousand five hun
dred dollars, neither more nor less.
Questi0n-In what?
4 Mr.. Blaine--Partly in money an
partiy In bonds. i detailed the Who'll