Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-02-07
THE CREDIT MORILIER INyESTT-
CATION.
Proceedings or the Special Commit

among members of Congress, resumed Its ses-
sion this morning, and
JOHN L. BLAIR WAS SWORN
and examined by Hon. Job Stevenson. Witness
testified that he was of the original corpor-
ators of the Sioux City, Iowa Falls and Dubuque
railroad, with Pratt Smith, OF Dubuque, John
I. Duncomb, of Fort Dodge, and w. W. Wal
length the history Of building the road and the
legislation by Congress renewing the land grant
OF 1856 to the state, and legislation Of the state
not dollar was expended in procuring such
legislation, either before Congress or the state
legislature. He had been interested in building
several hundred miles Of railroad in the west,
and
NEVER EXPENDED CENT FOR BLAcKNAIL
to any one, either member Of Congress or a pri-
the state Of Iowa to-day worth the money it cost
to build il.
Q. What members of Congress joined in this
A. Oh! well; some 1 believe, but they were
generally too poor to get much out Of them.
lLanghter]
and testified that William b. Allison took ten
shares. He paid for his stock, and never got
penny for services. The firm Of SAINT Hooper
also had stock. Cakes Ames was a large sub
and some held by him as trustee. Did not know
for whom Mr.. Ames was trustee. j. r. Wilson
and Glenni W. Scofeld were subscribers also.
Mr.. BLAIR Is REMINDED OF A FRRNCHNAN.
The government need not talk much of the
land given to the state of Iowa, Is it amounted
to nothing, nearly all of it being worthless. II
away two thousand dollars before breakfast
and when asked how he made it, replied, sI
have Just marked my goods up" (I.aaghter.l
g. Do you know of MI, James G. Blaine, OF
A. cannot say about MIR. Blaine. believe
he held some stock which he got from the Co
burns, Of Maine. Witness never had any cor
respondence with Mr.. Blaine about taking the
stock. The members of Congress who held
stock bought and paid for 1t, and none was
iven for corrupt purposes.
AN IOWA MOTHER IN LUCK.
The county taxation upon the land grants
held by the company were immense. In one
county where there are but 2'i voters they
taxed us on our land grants and got 500 900.
They tax us for building and supporting school,
houses, which they never build. In one case, sir,
one of the counties taxed us enormously for
and we had to pay his wife $50 a month for
teaching her own children. [Laughter.l They
hatch up every kind Of taxation to get hold OF
our money.
WHERE MEN OF ENTERPRISE GO, AND THE
MEANEsT KIND OF MEN GET OFFICE.
Judge MerIick.-Is that in Iowa?
A. Yes, sir. That is where men of enterprise
60. GLaughter.l Why, sir, il reminds me Of the
Dutchman's son who went west and wrote home
kind of men get office out here" [Renewed
MR.. BLAINR's STOCK.
The witness further testified that the nama
of James g. Blaine did not appear on the list OF
stockholders. All that witness knew about Mr..
Blaine having stock was.what had been testified
to before this committee. No influence was
brought to bear on Congress to have the land
grant to the state renewed. That was a matter
which the state was attendingtO. Witness never
heard Of any promise ever being made to any
TESTIMONY OF REPRESENTATIVE HOOPER.
Hon. Samuel Hooper was sworn. He testified
to stock in the Sioux City and Iowa Falls road
Q. To what extent was your firm interested,
and what was your proportion?
Mr.. Hooper replied that he had no objection
to telling, but he could not see why the commit
tee wanted to inquire into his private affairs.
The witness then exhibited statement showing
the amount held by the firm aS slss' 100; Wit
i'm the road. The subscription was made by the
partners in the firm, though not until after con-
sultation between them.
SPEAKER BLAINE RECALLED.
Hon. james G. Blaine recalled and examined
by Mr.. Stevenson.
obtained to the Iowa Falls and Sioux City
stock?
Mr.. Blaine.-I don't understand your ques-
ton.
Mr.. Stevenson.-I will ask it more direct
Had you anything to do with the subscription
Of the COburns?
Mr. Blaine.-I answered that before very
frankly. Mr.. John l. Blair was here, and talk
ing the matter over with some friends, among
them Senator Grimes He mentioned the sub
s could not take any Of the stock. Consequently
wrote to the Messrs. COburns; they took 500, 600
worth. Witness did not remember ever having
had conversation with Mr.. Blair. The subject
came up in conversation with Senator Grimes.
Mr.. Stevenson--You have stated i'm your for
mer testimony. Have you it with you?
MIR lBlaine.-NO, Sir; was deprived of get
ting It for several DAYS, on account of Won de-
rect 1t.
testimony 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 so ask me, I will answer:
but those transactions were entirely of private
nature. However, do not object to stating
them if the committee wants me to.
Judge Poland.-Oh, well; we have no right
this investigation.
Mr.. Stevenson-I now propose to cross-ex-
anime Mr.. Blaine on his former testimony.
Mr.. Blaine.-I would like to know what new
testimony you have been bringing in now, that
you wish to cross examine me on. Is that your
knowledge of law?
MR.. BLAINE GOES FOR Mr.. STEVENSON.
Mr.. Blaine to the committee II do not pro-
pose to be catechized by MIR. Stevenson in what
should call, outside this committee 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.
give his testimony, and clear out; but instead OF
that, he throws out a drag net i'm the House to
catch the Speaker, and then comes down here
as counter attorney, asking me II the statements
Il
nant at this course think ii is 60 against COM
mon decency.
Mr.. Steyenscn.-It appears to me that have
been arraigned before this committee.
Mr.. Blaine.-Yes, sir; do arraign you.
Judge POland.-Well, rather think, gentle
men, we will have TO suspend this course.
Mr.. Steyenson.-I wish to ask Mr.. Blaine
what he gave the Coburns for the stock he got.
Mr.. Blaine.-I told you before, 1 gave them
$50 ,500-neither more nor less.
QuestiOn.-In what?
Mr.. Blaine.-Partly in money, and partly in
bonds. detailed the whole transaction i'm NV
former testimony, and every Circumstance con-
nected with il. =
Mr.. Stevenson wanted to INQUIRE as tn the
other dealings between Mr.. Blaine and the Co
Judge Poland.-well, we can't allow any in
quiry as to other dealings. -
Mr.. Stevenson had nothing else to ask.
HOW MR.. STEVENSON DIDN'T CATCH THE
sPEAKER.
Mr.. Blaine-Then, i desire to put Mr.. Ste
vensOnO on the stand. He testified before, THAI
his motive in introducing the resolution wss TO
catch the Speaker. Now I would like to show
the, AniMus he had in introducing that resolu-
tioh, and II his relations with the speaker were
judge Poland-wsil, We must decline to 20
into that question.
Mr.. Biafne-But want to show what v.s
back Of Mr.. Stevenson introducing the resoiu- 1
ton. the animus he had in doinu N IA -rs,,xaa