The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-05-18
Close Of The Persecution.


G. Blaine have run out their string. Not sat
lsficl with the clear and convincing vindica-
ton he made on two recent occasions of his
character, his enemies continued their vicious
assaults, giving a different version to the $64,
600 transaction, with which his name was
falsely connected. TO put an end to all doubt
as to this matter, congressional committee
undertook the investigation of it, and the re-
suit has brought Mr.. Blaine's reputation out
without blemish. The Washington cores
pendent of the Baltimore american, of the
10th, has the following summary Of the evil
dence i'll the case:
The testimony taken to-day before the Judiciary
Committee only goes to show how superservceable
friend may often nearly ruin the one whom he in
tends to benefit. Mr.. E. H. Rollins, the Secretary
and Treasurer of the Union Pacific Railroad prior to
one OF its meetings of the Directors, heard from
some source which he cannot now remember. that
eX-Speaker Blaine had some connection with $64.0OO
in Arkansas Railroad bonds held by the Union Pa
clic Company. AT a subsequent meeting OF the
Board OF Directors in Indianapolis, motion was en-
tered by Mr.. Harrison of Indiana to investigate the
to ascertain whether Mr.. Blaine was connected with
the matter or not, resisted the motion and did in
form the mover that he thought Mr.. Blaine would
be inuriousy affected by an Investigation. After
wards he made dligent inquiry searched the books
OF the Company and satisfied his own mind conclus-
lVely that he mad been grossly mlslntorned-
Thus far he was satisfied but it does not appear that
ne TOOK the necessary steps to relieve the mind OF
MI: Harrison OF the suspicion of Mr.. Blaine which
he left upon it at the directory meeting and for four
years, without any knowledge Of it himself, Mr..
Harrison.
The general press dispatches in the Americ.s give
the testimony in detail. Az analysis of it shows
that Harrison understood that Rollins told him
that an investigation would defeat Mr.. Blane's cleo
was present at the time understood Mr.. Rollins to
say that an investigation would involvea promin-
admits that he did say to Mr.. Harrison that it would
involve Mr.. Blame but did not say that it uld de-
two days the meeting Of Ike Board Of Drec
tors, MIR. Blaine had been triumphantly re elected
to Congress from his district. Mr.. Wilson. another
OF the Government Directors, dsptses of the Chica
so Tri6une's nsinuations that Blaine had told him
Wllsonl one statement concerning the transaction,
and made a different one TO the public from his
seat in the House, for he testifes that Mr.. Blaine
never told him anything concerning the matter
which disagreed with the public statement made.
Now. the testimony of Mr. Rollins and Mr.. Willard
discloses why Mr.. Harrison had to be suspi
cious of Mr.. Blaine True, Mr.. Rollins took the
pains to investigate for himself and ascertain that
ne had been imposed upon. He failed, however, to
led him into and innocently James G Blaine rested
under it for series of years. with the strong proba
biity that had he not shown Formidable Strength
as Presidential candidate the matter might not
have ever again required to the mind of Harrison.
The testimony of Colonel Scott, however, caps the
climax OF the inquiry, and no matter what loose
transactions may be chargeable to the Union Pacific
Directory, MI. Blaine cannot be held accountable
therefor Colonel Scott the person above all who
should know all about the So 900 transaction says
that he was the President of the Construction Com
pany OF the F.lrt Smith and Little Rock Railroad
Company of rkansas. He bought one hundred of
the one thousand dollar bonds of the Company, pay
ing for them eighty cents on the dollar. He became
$4,000 from Morton, Bliss s. Co.. bankers, of New
PIANO paid the loan for him, taking as collateral Sc
curty 900 of the Arkansas bonds. This explained
meeting at which Mr.. Harrison was.present to draw
on the Company for S640OO 1t shows also that Mr..
draft would involve Mr.. Blaine had no foundation
upon which to rest, and how much better he could
have served the eXSpeakcr if he had allowed the in
vestigation to have been pressed.
If the enemies of Mr.. Blaine and his newspaper ac-
cusers are not now willing to concede that he has
been uniustly imposed upon it will be quite plain
that they mean to indulge in smirching solely for
the purpose OF prosecuting him. Even in the dark
direct evidence would have acquitted an arrested
subject on the charge of dsloyalty. He has me his
accuSerS ana their accusations neVery form which
honor and dec ency demand. He has cleared away
the unfortunate mystery which has attached to him,
and produced evidence SO strong clear and convinc-
ing that no fair jury would take occasion leave the
box to determine verdict. He has through Colonei
Scott shown who did get the bonds, and that it
not James e. Blaine.
:. The committee acted in rather dubious manner
this afternoon After the examination of Z. H. Roll
Inns had been finished, Chairman Hunton suggested
an adjournment 1t was apparent that the object in
this to allow the testimony OF Messrs. Harrison
Rollins. Willard and Wilson to get good start over
the country before Col Scotts who has disposed of
all the mystery about the transaction could be ia
ken. Mr.. Blaine, who had up to this time taken
active part in the examination OF any of the witness
suggested that it but fair that Colonel Scott
should be heard. Hunton plead fatigue from the
long session Col. Scott then arose, and, with CON
siderable feeling, stated that he alone knew all about
the history of the custody of the bonds by the I'm
ion Pacific Company that his honor citizen and
an officer OF the Company was involved; that he
could soon convince the committee who got the
bonds that it legitimate transaction, and that
he could show quite concllsively that exzSpeaker
Blaine knew nothing of it, and that in all fairness it
but the simplest justice let his testimony go
out with the others. Hunton finally yielded, and
heard him at o'clock.
1t was also apparent that some of Mr.. Blains enc
mics who have boosted that the investigation would
blow him out Of the water had supplied Chair
witnesses. He was also supplied with copious
newspaper extracts. He quite exhaustive in
his examination and is no doubt quite convinced
that SO far as Mr.. Blaine is concerned he had no
case. He will have to find some other cersus if he
can.