Lincoln County advocate. (Canton, Dakota Territory, [S.D.]) 1876-1877, 1876-05-31
Mr.. BLAINE EXPLAINS.

AAlCAiuS5 Va lAlACs al jDOStUu, iuCSlIcll ~
make a small investment in the North Pa
cifc enterprise, and as the vice-president
of the road, Hon r. D. Rice, was near
}Eeighbar of mine in Augusta, it was
thought I might find out where and how
the purchase could be made. In one OF
two instances l heard of interests being
for sale but nothing was DONE Finally,
in the autumn OF 1870, definite interest
was for sale, and il was brought to my at
tention with very glowing and extrayagant
accounts Of it's prospective profits. As it
was q road chartered by Congress, deriving
its franchise and grants directly from Con-
grees, and liable at any time to apply to
Congress for future favors, did not my
self entertain for moment any idea Of
becoming interested in il, but as these
friends had been wishing such investment,
and as they had the same right as any 9TH
er private citizen had to own in the enter
prise, communicated the facts to them
precisely as they had been given to me. A
few days after was notified that they
would be glad to purchase certificate Of
deposit or cashiers check for S25,0OO,
which Was placed in my hands in trust, as
the receipt shows, to hand over to the per-
con proposing to sell, who in due time
will doubtless speak for himself The
certificate was to be taken in the name Of
Elisha Atkins, cne OF the most prominent
and honorable merchants In Boston. It
vas soon found, however, that the North
ern Pacific interest was in some way
pledged or hypothecated OF embarrassed
as to title and the matter ran along for
over year and finally came to nothing.
The money in full, with interest, was re-
turned to Warren Fisher, with whom the
negotiation was had and the holder of the
Northern Pacific interest retained or pos
sibly found another purchaser Of which I
know nothing. ....=.tE ,,s-t54 ....,.gs,
This is simply the whole transaction out
Of which the sensation is attempted by
the Sun ~
Nv connection with it VAS purely Of
friendly character had not the remot.
est interest in it in any shape or
form, and had no intentions or understand
ing that should become interested in. it.
The transaction was Of course regarded
by me as in every way proper, otherwise
| should most certainly never have re-
ceived and receipted for money to hold in
trust until the transaction should be con
between the parties
am very glad, continued Blaine. that
my letter which the Sun publishes proves
on its face that I would not myself touch
the investment. could easily have pnr-
chased t.had been willing, but l did not
deem such investment advisable for me
to make From first to las, in all legisla
ton touching Pacific railroads; ] never had
an interest Of . penny in one Of them, nor
il any of their branches, directly. In 4
private letter, if anywhere, a man will
speak unguardly, and this letter, written
with no expectation Of its ever being pub
lishea, proves conclusively that when .
Pacific Railroad interest was offered me
with brilliant promises Of great profits
declared 1 would not touch it.
| think the Sun in publishing this pri.
vate letter has supplied valuable proof of
my official integrity in the matter. All
these attacks, resumed Blaine, after a
slight pause, are intended to impress tho
people with the belief that have large
wealth and that it has been acquired since
I entered Congress. The moderate prop
erty which own was almost wholly de-
rived from fortunate Investment in coal
lands in my native Monongahela Valley,
in Western Pennsylvania, made some
years before first ran for Congress. I
notice many papers whose editors never
saw me and know nothing Of my affairs
glibly put my property down at a round
million. The value my property would
bring to-day would not amount to one-ifth
part that sum. can say with the strict
est truth that all things considered, am
not today as well off pecuniarily as | was
the day 1entered Congress in December,
1868. Had not remained in Congress |
would to-day, in my judgment, had .
large fortune, as business enterprises which
were at my command, if could have at.
tended to them, have resulted mort favor
ably, but every friend who knows me
knows that neither my income nor ex-,
penditure. nor my habits Of life imply or
suggest the possession Of ftrtune, or Of
anything indeed beyond moderate com
Detency