The Portland daily press., 1873-02-08
WASHINGTON.
THE SIOUX CITY RAILROAD.
Exit Stevenson Again.
Testimony OF Messrs. Blair, Hooper and
Blaine,


WASHINGTON, Feb. 7.-The Poland commit
tee resumed its session this morning John j.
Blair was examined by j. Stevenson. Witness
testified that he was one of the original corpor-
ators of the Sioux City, Iowa Falls & Dubuque
Railroad. He detailed at length the history of
the road legislation by Congress, renewing the
land grant of 1856, to the State, and the legis-
lation of.the State giving a grant to the road.
Not dollar was expended in procuring legis-
lation either before Congress or Stale legis-
lature. He had been interested in building
several hundred miles of railroad in the West
never expended cent for blackmal to any
one, either a member of Congress or private
citizen. There was not single road across
Iowa to-day worth the money it cost to build it.
Question-What members of Congress joined
in the subscription?
Oh, well some believe; but they were gen.
orally too poor to get much out of them, Qaugh-
tions and testified that VIM. B. Allison took
ten shares, paid for item and never got pen
ny for services The firm of Samuel Hooper
also had stock; Oakes Ames was large stock
holder
Mr. Blair continued, stating that Ames held
some stock in his own name and some as trus-
tee, but didn't know who was trustee for. j. F.
Wilson and G. w. Schofeld were stockholders
also. The land given to Iowa by government
was nearly all worthless. Didn't know about
Dldiuc uolutuS SlOCk, dS u6 never correspondent
with him on the subject. Congressman who
owned stock paid for it. None was used for
corrupt purposes. The county taxation upon
land grants was immense. In one county
where there was only 23i votes the taxes paid
were S200,000; and they tax for school houses
never built; in one instance taxing enormously
for school house in which man lived who
paid his wife $50 per month for teaching her
own children. Thatwas in Iowa where men
of enterprise go: Naughter)
Mr.. Blair testified that Mr.. Blaine's name
was not on the list of stockholders.
Samuel Hooper testified that the firm of
which he is a member subscribed to the stock
in the Sioux City & Iowa Falls railroad.
Q.-To what extent was your firm interested,
and what was your proportion?
Mr.. Hooper replied he had no objection to
telling, but could not see why the committee
wanted to inquire into his private affairs.
Witness then exhibited a statement showi
the amount held by the firm to be $1S9, 100.
Speaker Blaine Examined.
Speaker Blaine was then examined by Mr..
Stevenson, making statement as to his con-
nection with the Sioux City railroad the same
as before.
Mr. Stevenson asked him to state what his,
Blaine's transactions with the Coburns of
Maine were.
Mr.. Blaine said he would answer if the Com
.nittee thought it proper question, but he
contended they were of q private nature.
Judge Poland-Oh, well, we have no right to
inquire into private business not affecting this
investigation.
Mr.. Stevenson-I now propose to cross ex-
anime Mr. Blaine on his former testimony. l
would like to know what new testimony you
have been bringing in now that you wish to
law?
Mr.. Blaine to the Committed do not pro
pose to be cate"hised by Mr.. Stevenson in what
should call out of this committee room,
an impudent manner. The proper
course for Mr.. Stevenson would have been,
after introducing his resolution in the House,
to come here, give his testimony, and clear out.
But instead of that he throws drag net in the
House to catch the Speaker and then comes
down here as counter attorney, asking ms if
the statements he makes are true. confess,
sir, feel indignant at the course, and think
1t IS against common decency.
Mr.. Stevenson-It appears to me that have
been arraigned before the Committee.
Mr.; Blane-Yes sir, do arraign y,u.
Judge Poland-Well rather think, gentle
men, we will have to suspend this course.
Mr. Stevens0n-I wish to ask Mr.. Blaine
what he gave the Coburns for the stock he
got.
Mr.. Blaine-I told you before gave them
$685. neither more nor less.
ON what?
Mr.. Blaine-Partly in money and partly in
bonds. l detailed the whole transaction in my
former testimony, and every circumstance con-
nected with it,
dealings between Mr.. Blaine and the Coburns
Judge Poland-Well, we can't allow any in
quiry as to other dealings
Mr.. Stevenson had nothing elseto ask.
Mr. Blaine-Then desire to put Mr. Steven
son on the stand. He testified before that his
move in introducing the resolution was to
catch the Speaker Now would like to show
the animus he had in introducing that resolu-
ton. and if his relations with the Speaker are
friendly.
Judge Poland-Wel, we must decline to 90
into that question.
Mr.. Blaine-But if want to show what
was back of Mr.. Stevenson's introducing the
resolution-the animus he had in doing so He
wanted to catch the Speaker
Mr. Stevenson, very excitedly-I have rights
here, wish it understood, as well as the
Speaker.
Judge Poland-Well, this contest must stop
here.
Mr.. Stevenson-The Speaker said in the
House the other day that members must be
loyal to the Speaker.
Judge Poland-That will do-this must STOP
Mr.. McCreary, laughingly to Mr.. Blaine-Do
you submit?
Poland, u believe in being legal to the speaker,
as Mr.. Stevenson says.
Mr.. Stevenson asked that the Messrs Co.
burns of Maine be summoned.
Judge Poland thought the testimony already
in covered the transactions between Mr.. Blaine
and themselves.
Mr. Stevenson-My experience teaches me
not to rely on the word of any man.
Mr. Blaine-That experience is so near home
to you that you ought to rely on it, (Laughter.)
Mr.. Blaine, addressiog the committee said:
If it is the mind of any member of the COM
mittee to ask me any questions, 1 hope they
will be asked, as have not the remotest shad-
ow of reluctance to answering all. The matter
between myself and the Coburns was plain,
straight business transaction, as I related the
other day, and having nothing in the world to
conceal in regard to it.
Judge Poland announced that no further
witnesses would be examined to-day, and the
committee at one clock went into secret ses-
sion, and then adjourned till ten o'clock to-
morrow morning.
Treasury Order Revoked.
The Secretary of the Treasury has revoked
the order which he signed this morning. calling
in 800, 900, 900 of 52O bonds to be paid May 7th
and has directed that public notice of this call
shall not be given. T',is is done because of in
formation from London that the subscriptions
there to the new SIS are made payable June 1st
The call will be renewed March 1st to conform
to the London subscriptions.