Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-01-29
Speaker Blaine to the Front.
How Ike Had sIoO, 600 I'm a Subsidized
Railroad

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S.-At the sittings
of Poland's Committee this morning Speak
er Blaine first appeared and requested that
Mr.. Stevenson, who had introduced in the
House the resolution of inquiry into the
Sioux City road, to make his sworn state
ment in support Of the allegation that he
(Blaine) was a stockholder in that road.
Mr.. Stevenson then testified as follows:
Oskes Ames Informed me that certain
members, including Allison, himself and
Blaine, and other names he mentioned, but
he don't remember now, were interested in
this railroad. He stated that there was a
construction contract similar to that under
which the Union Pacific had been built,
and il We wanted TO make an examination
We had better make the examination OF al
the roads having land grants, and we would
find the Union Pacific the best. He said
Blsine held stock in bis own name or the
name Of CobUrp, Of Maine, who is a wealthy
man and had agreed to utfunds in Blaine's
hands for such investment; that Blaine had
invested to The extent Of 100000 Further,
that Blaine had recently purchased bonds
of this company of himself (Ames) in order
TO settle with Coburn. 1 think he said
Blaine purchased ten or twenty thousand
dollars woIth of bonds; paid him eighty
cents on the dollar. Coburn paid him ninety
cents on the dollar.
II reply to Mr.. Blaine witness said this
conversation occurred q few days before he
offered the resolution. Witness had ali the
details before be offered tbe resolution, and
was quite sure the conversion with Ames
was not ct the Arlington House, after he
had offered the resolution. Witness re-
ceived other information, but it was only
hearsay. Additional information came
from John 3. Alley, to whom witness was
introduced at the Arlington Hotel by Ames.
He (Alley) stated that the Iowa Falls and
Sioux City Railroad Company was organ
izeed in 1867; that he and Samuel Hooper
& Company were stockholders; Ames
and some gentlemen in Boston represented
the Company. He said he had no per-
sonal knowledge Of Blaine's being stock
holder. Witness found that the grant ex-
pired in 1866, but the time for completing
The road was extended. Stevenson read
the action of the House at that session on
the bill.
Blaine-You don't mean to say / was
Speaker then.
SteVenson-No, but you were well post
ed on the rules. Stevenson then cited from
the journal OF the House and said that
Blaine did not vote on the bill.
Blaine asked him to explain certain por-
tions of the Journal remarking: | have
studied the record also.
Stevenson-I don't need help, but others
may.
Ames i'm Demand.
Blaine requested that Ames be called,
whereupon he was examined by Blaine and
said the conversation with Stevenson took
place at the dinner table at the Arlington
the day after he (SteVensoD) offered the re-
solution. was laughing at him and told
him he had got hold of the wrong road. He
was very positive Stevenson had no infor-
nation from witness before he offered the
resolution.
Blaine-Then the allegations OF Steven
son is not supported by you?
Answer--NO, sir.
Blaine to Judge Poland-Ames told me
the other day that the conversation he had
with Stevenson took plsce after the resolu-
ton was offered.
Stevenson to Ames-You have frequent
" stated, Mr.. Ames, that your recollection
as to date is not very distinct?
Answer-Yes, sir.
Blaine Questions Stevenson.
Blaine then questioned Stevenson as fol-
lows:
Question Did you have an anonymous
or other kind of letter from Iowa on this
subject before you offered The resolution?
Answer--None, whatever.
Question Have you ever spoken Of hav-
ing received such letter?
Answer-NO, sir.
Question-Did you ever say to any one
that you thought you had caught the
Speaker.
Answer don't remember.
Question Did you have such a CONVEX
sation with Senator Stevenson, Of Ky. .
Answer-I don't remember. l had
conversation with him on the subject.
O 4estion-And you said 81 have caught
the Speaker"
AnsWer-Not in that rough way. Imay
have indicated that had something that
would implicate the Speaker in the land
grants.
Question-Do you think your controlling
q ..st -.