Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-05-25
CORREsPONOENCE BETWEEN DE.
JOHN II BLAKE AND WM. VI.
MEkRICH.
sharp Rebuke Of a Malignant Traitor
by AN Honest, Patriotic Citizen.
DIR. BLAKE TO Mr.. MRRR1cK

DIR. BLAKE TO Mr.. MRRRIcK.
Hon. " M. N. McrTIck.
Sir have perused a pamphlet STYLED "The
argument of VIM. NJ. Mernck," which is vio-
lently denunciatory of the Board Of Public
Works, and the general tenor of IL f. TO produce
an impression that the members of the board
are all dishonorable men and unworthy of con-
hdepce. My attention has been particularly
directed to the following paragraphs: "what
Us the practical remedy for the evils with which
we are confronted? / answer promptly,
government for this people-s total recon-
suucuon and new and reliable body
Of agents for its administration, having
no constituent or the old framework
board be established, the faint traces OF truth
At which you have been able 70 arrive will be
oblitersted, and the countless deeds of darkness
yet unrevealed be forever hidden from the
angry eye of Justice"
"Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen OF the Com
mitiee, do not suffer unworthy ministrants to
remsin even in the lowest offices OF the on er
court of the temple"
Whilst see nothing in your argument or the
testimony, have read, that should make me
regret my associations with nv colleagues in
men, desire 70 know If / am 20 understand
you as including me in the paragraph quoted.
Respectfully your ob'dt servant,
JNo. b. BLAKE.
MERRICK's REPLY.
WASHINGTON, May 70, lisa.
To Or. John 3. Blake, Washington Cify.
SIR am not aware Of the length Of time
during which you have been a member of the
Board of Public Works, but il you claim 70
have been an active participant in YOUR official
character during the progress OF the transac-
tons which were developed by the evidence
before the Joint Special Committee, aud which
have been commented upon in the argument
submitted by me. have no qualification TO
make of the generality OF the remarks to which
you take exception in the note which you ad-
dressed TO me on yesterday.
Your obedient servant. WM. NJ MBREIcK.
DR.. BLAKE's SECOND LETTER.
Hon. WHi. NeTTick.
SIR: In answer to your note of yesterday.
Gate have TO state that L was Installed ia OH &c
ON the sd OF September last, and you can
therefore determiRe whether / am implicated
IN any OF the charges upon which you com
meDted. haEe, through a long life time,
tanned an unimPeachable character for in
tegrity IN the various responsible official posi-
tons have flied, as Well as In my personal re-
iations. My good name was never called Ina
question even by insinuation, until 1t was by
some OF my friends supposed TO be embraced
within the passages of your argument, To which
1 called your attention in my fOrme note. You
have known me long, and had supposed favor
ably and hence my surprise at reading those por-
tons OF your argument which are supposed to
Very respectfully, your ob'dt servant,
True copy.l joan b. BLAKE.
MERRICR's REPLY TO MOI
BALTIMORE, Nav 22i, 1S.s.
Doctor John 3. Bldle, Washington Ctty.
SIR: Your second noe was received by me
yesterday. As you seem to feel solicitOus about
being held responsible for the action OF Ca.
Board OF Public Works, I suggest that yO1r ex
culpetiOn would be mnch more complete b. go
ing upon the witness stand aud publicly dis
avowing their course of administration, as Me-.
CLUES has done, than BY calling on me 70 make
exceptions in your favor. I know that IL has
been a source of regret TO many of your Old
friends that you consented to lend the weight
of your rame and character to that Odious body.
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) WIN. NJ. MRRRICK.
DIR. BLAKR's PARTING SHOT.
WAsHINGToN CITY, May ., lsI4.
Hon. WIN. N. Aerriok:
SIR:-ln your note Of the 22d instant, received
Saturday afternoon, you evidently mistake my
object in requesting You TO state whether you
intended 10 embrace me in the defamstory pas
attention in the first note / addressed you. So
far from being sOlictous as you feigu to think,
to be relieved from any responsibility that ust-
ly attached to me, my only object was to afford
you an opportunity to disabuse yourself from
an imputation that bad been ascribed to your
remarks, Of covertly designing to cast shadow
upon the name OF an old acquaintance
for acts you are employed TO denounce,
ard with which you knew or could easily b i've
ascertained from the date of his appointment
he had nothing 10 90. L neither avow nor disa-
vow any responsibility for acts with which 1
had no connection, and no liberal minded or
reasonable gentleman would expect or wish me
TO do either. You suggest 20 me TO initiate the
example of Mr.. Cluss! The opinion / had
formed of you as a high toned honorable gen.
tleman, would have induced me to believe that
were i 10 do so, and meanly and falsely SANDER
despise me. 1t may be that poor Cluss was de-
coytd, by some such suggestion SIS you make to
me, 10 involve himself in the disgrace with
which he is now overwhelmed, an object OF
pity TO his friend and of contempt TO those who
merely knew him in the business walks of life.
He has fallen victim TO misplaced confidence.
wounded pride OF self Importance. No doubt
many OF nay friends regret nav connection with
hoard r Qllepe. II
for the Re ason that they foressw that the vim
dictive and malicious feeling existing against
those you represent, would be visited on me. /
have the proud satisfaction Of knowing that
many of my friends, old and respectable citi-
zens and large real estate owners, have ex-
pressed themselves highly gratifed with my
appointment. They rightfully believe that no
abuses will be TO Grated where have the power
10 correct them, and IL any should exist, and
tatingly throw up my appointment and not suf-
fer my name to be tarniehed by extending to
them the slightest countenance. The situation
1 occupy At the Board Of Public Works, like
every other have filled, was conferred upon
me without any solicitation on my part 1 was
hundreds OF miles from home enjoying q few
mans confinement to my responsible duties a
the president Of the National Metropolitan
Bank, when the appoin 0ment was made. Pres
dsnt Grant IN ny Ss s.m sT
to me that In making the appointment he
wished TO crafty the people Of the District, ir
respective OF party, and knowing the estimA
ton In which was generally held among them
ne had concluded % tender the situation b me
felt proud OF the confidence the President re
posed in me, and especially grateful for the
kind consideration for my feuow-citizeua that
impelled him TO do %, aud although fully aware
Of the sacrifice of perSonal comfort involved in
the acceptance Of the ONCE, I concluded TO a.
sumo its responsibilities, TO svince my apprecia-
ton OF his Kindness and my confidence in him
AZ the Chief Magistrate Of the country.
was summoned, a. / understood, at the in
stance Of the counsel opposed to the Board OF
Public Works, to appear before the invest
gatirg committee. promptly obsyed the gum
mons. On my name being called I advanced
to the witness stand, and after waiting there
awhile, the honorable chairman Of the CON-
mfttee stated to the counsel that was present,
and inquired II they wished to examine me, and
after pause Of q moment or too negative
respopse wae made, and was discharged It
would be manifesfiy improper for me 70 ofsr
myself - q volunteer witness. as am In possee-
session Of no information that would shed any
light upon the subject Of the investigation;
and as for my opinion, eres ssPposssg
a - sn eoasonanee wffA your ocn,
preepUe it wonh not have much
weight Win the able and learned gentlemen