The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-06-08


Why did they not organize committee
to investigate James G.. Blaine? He
wanted to meet the thing squarely. lie
did not wish to stir up any blood on this
question, but he would say that ever
since certain debate took place in the
house in January last it has been known
that there were gentlemen here whose
feelings had been cXasperated against
him, land it was to be remarked that
while there were seven Democratic men,
bers of the judiciary committee, the
chairman OF that commit (hnOu) Sc
lceted on the subcommittee to which
these matters have been referred two
members from the South who had been
in the rebel army.
KNOTT WANTS TO TALK.
Mr.. knott-One word.
Mr.. Blaine-After moment.
Mr.. knott-Allow me word now.
Mr.. Blaine-Well, go on.
Mr.. knott--The matter of that rail-
road investigation was referred to the
subcommittee before ever heard your
name in connection with it. | had no
act or part in melting any investigation
duplicating you at all.
AS TO MULLIGAN.
Mr.. Blaine-Then the gentleman from
Virginia (Hunton) insists under that res
olution. which was obviously on its face
limited to the SIS, 900 bond transaction
with the Union Pacific railroad company
on going into the affairs of the Little
Rock aud Fort Smith railroad company,
asincidental thereto, and pursued it to
such an extent that finally had myself,
through my colleague. Mr. Frey, to take
an appeal TO the full committee, and the
full committee decided that the gentlman
| (IIunton) had no right to go into it. But
when he came back he resumed the eX-
animation exactly in the same way until
he was stopped by my colleague, Mr..
Frey. acting not as my attorney but as
my friend, and when finally the witness
Mnlligan came here loaded with intOr-
nation in regard TO the Fort Smith rail-
road the gentleman (iiuuton) drew out
what he knew had no reference whatever
| to the question under investigation and
| then and there insisted on all my private
| memoranda being allowed to be ex-
hibitod by this man Mulligan, which
| had no more connection or relation with
| this Investigation than with the north
pole. The gentleman tried his best also
| until believe that the idea has been
abandOnadD to capture and use and con-
troll my private correspondence. This
man had selected out OF a correspondence
| running over great many years letters
which he thought would be peculiarly
damaging TO me. lie came here loaded
with them. He came tor sensation.
He came here primed. He came here ON
| that particular Grand | was advised OF
it and obtained these letters under circum-
| stances which have been notOriously
scattered throughout the United States
and are known everywhere. have
them (holding up PACKAGE | claim
that have the entire right to these let
tiers. not only by natural right, but on
all precedents and principles of law. The
man who held them in his possession
held them wrongiully, and the committee
which attempted to take these letters
from this man for use against me pro.
ceedcd wrongfuliy. 1t proceeded in the
bcldcst and most defiant violation of the
ordinary personal and private rights tina,
belong to every American citizen. au
willing TO meet the judiciary committee
on that point. wanted that committc,
to Introduce it. wanted the gentleman
from Kentucky (knott)and the gentleman
from Virginia (Iunton) TO introdnc,
that question on the iluor, and they
would not do it.
Mr.. Knott lin his seat)-Oh no 70,
want to be made matyr of.
Mr.. Blaine cs, and You did not wan
it, There's the difference. | will go
little farther and say that you did no
dare to do il.
Mr. knott-We will not talk abou
daring
Mr.. Hamilton, of New Jersey ris
to question Of order. Is the gentleman
language parliamentary
Mr.. Blaine-Ncs. entirely SO.
The speaker pro TEN. Cox in til
chalr)-lt is for the chair to decide. T..
Mr.. Baine-i understand the judiciar
committee To have abandoned that issu
against me. but there has gone forth al
idea or impression that because ! woul
not permit that man or any man when
could prevent it from holding as
MENACE OVER MY HEAD
my private correspondence, there mus
be something in it deadly and distruetiv
to my reputation. would like any ger
tleman on this floor, and all of them ar
presumed to be men Of affairs, who's
business has been varied and whose IN
tercour.c has been large, to stand up her
and say that he is willing and ready t
have his private correspondence for til
last 10 or IL years handed over and mad
| i'll
. ply wrong-doine? Does it imply II sens
tect his private correspondent,
| No, sir, it is mans fir,
instinct to do it, and it is the last outrag
, on any man to violate it, | baye defie
e the powers to take these letters from IN,
f do it still. speak with all respect fc
! this house. ! know its powers, and
/ trust that respect them, but say thu
; this house has no more power to ord,
4 | what shall be done or not done with IN
[ private correspondence than it has /
. order what l shall do with the nurtui
e and admonition OF my children-not on
I particle more. But | am now to sho
+ the letters holding them up in his hant
: and thank God Almighty that | am II,
: ashamed to show them. There they are
f There is the very original packag
G With
# SOME SENSE OF HUMILIATION,
d with modification which | do not Or
d tend to conceal, with sense of outra.
n which | think any man in my positC
. would feel, | invite the confidence
1000, 600 Of people and will read the
t letters. Applause which tho speak
g pro tenn. endeavored to suppress. Man
d OF those letters have not the remote
! bearing on the subject, but some OF the
i will require little explanation. Son
e Of them may possibly involve humili
X ton, but ! would Il good deal rather tai
d that than take the evil surmises and st
5 more the evil differences that might
y drawn If did not act with this tran
y ness.
Mr.. Blaine thereupon proceeded
, read and to make passing commen
upon, and explanations OF various nOin