Middletown transcript., 1876-05-13
Letter from Washington.
WAsHlseros, D. c., May Q, 1875.

i POLITICAL
i The National Executive Committee
of the Liberal Republican party, as
anticipated in this correspondence, has
determined to call National Conven-
ton Philadelphia is the place. and
fJuly 26th the time, selected for the
purpose. Then the candidates Of both
the parties will be in the field and the
Liberals can judge between them.
Whether they will nominate candidates
oftheir own or be content with endorsing
those of one of the other parties, will
depend upon their estimate of the char
acter and abilities of either for the pur-
poses of Reform The Liberals believe
that the country needs new party
pledged to the Union, one term, civil
service reform. honest administration,
the equality of the States with rights
of local and self government. and ma
tional good will, in which harmony
may be secured between the sections
and late enemies in war. by allowing
men Of all parties to enter on the
ground floor, without regard to antece-
dents, lhe party itself having no ante
cedents, and therefore unembarrassed
by record-a party which looks to
the future for its usefulness, and to the
past only for instruction. This is a
high deal which, it is probable, the logic
of events will prevent from being real
lied this year. We are too close upon
the verge of actual conflict to form
new army and the Liberals will have
to join one or the other Of those in the
field. It is said that of all those yet
spoken of for the Presidency by either
party, these Liberals and Reformers are
best pleased with Samuel j. Tilden, Of
New York, for President. and John NJ
Palmer, Of Illinois. for Vice President.
Mr.. BLAINE AGAIN EXPLAINS
Having settled the $64. 900 Union
Pacific bond purchase to bis own satis-
faction. Mr.. Blaine has again found it
necessary to rise to personal explana-
ton. In the schedule Of Kansas Pa
ciic bonds which had been placed as
Oakes Ames said. "where they would
do the most good, ''the name of Blaine.
Is" appears This schedule was not in
tended for the public eye, but saw the
light of day through the clairvoyance
Of newspaper correspondent in 1873.
The gentleman who first disclosed the
facts to the world was j. w. Knowl
ton, now deceased, the correspondent
of the Chicago Tribune Mr. Blaine's
explanation reflected upon the veracity
| of the correspondent; and ex-Congress-
man Riddle, father-in-law Of the latter.
addressed letter to Mr.. Blaine, in
which be said:
"You assaulted the reputation Of
James Walcott Knowlton, then two
years and half in bis grave. Had he
survived till to-day, you would have
remained silent; and your Joe Stewarts
and MacFarlands would have told no
tales. 1t devolves on me to vindicate,
as best may, his memory from your
assertions; which | shall do at an early
day
The parties here referred to were both
involved in the Pacific Mail distrlbu-
ton; MacFarland having received
$25, 900, which he said he delivered to
Col. Forney, Stewart is the ''recusant
witness who refused to testify and it
is due to gentleman Of similar
name to say that it is Joseph b Stew
art, not Joseph j Stewart, Of Balti-
more. who is engaged here in law busi-
ness, that is meant Mr.. Riddle. doubt
less, has the data upon which Knowl-
ton disclosed the facts in 1878 and as
be is good lawyer as well as close
writer, he not only knows what evi-
dence is, but how to put it together.
So we may expect an interesting essay
on railroad lobbying before long, in
which the ex-Speaker will figure, and
perhaps bis brother, who is said to be
the real party in this case. Mistaken
identity is the plea here; but we shall
await more light and another personal
explanation, before rendering verdict.
BELKNAP INDIGNANT
had brief chat with General Belk-
nap, the Great Impeachcd. on the 9Th
inst, iD the lobby Of the Senate. He
still bears up remarkably we'll under
the ordeal through which he is passing,
and continues to assert his innocence
of the crime charged against him.
"And what do you thiLk Of your
chances. General ?" queried the writer.
30, | am confident the Senate will
decide that it has no jurisdiction in the
case. How in HI can it do other
wisel" was the reply.
but suppose the Senate should de-
eide to try the case what then p
IF it does that even. shall come
out all right Why d-n it, they
can find no evidence to show that l
knew the money received from Marsh
was in consideration Of privileges grant
ed him by me-. was the reply II am
prepared to prove that honestly be-
lieved at the time that the money was
paid me for Mrs. Belknap by March as
trustee of certain property bequeathed
to my wife.
"Some Of the managers, notably Mr.
Hear, we're rather severe on you, Gen.
errl." said the writer
Yes" was the indignant reply. Il
did expect they would do their duty as
prosecutors. and con6ne themselves to
the discussion Of the question Of juris.
diction; but, instead Of this. they have
gone out of the way to assail me per-
sonally. Cd d-n them They have
tried to intensity public opinion against
me, and to make the conviction that
was thief so strong that it could not
be modified by evidence Of my inno-
cence of the most conclusive character"
"You have been indicted. believe,
by the grand jury Of the District p
'Yes. I believe SO. replied the Gen
oro1 1curb;po. oh ~ lot thoo, IN