The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-30
BLAINE's THIN DEFENCE.
[From lh0 Sew Y0rk SUN, Nay eal

From tho New York SUM- May 20
Brother Blane's story regarding the Northern Paci-
nc Railroad job In which he engaged, and which
we exposed Saturday. rcads.smoohy, as do all his
explanations OF his railway specuatons while he was
Speaker OF the House ef Representatives. But, like
the others, IL is tricky and utterly unsatisfactory.
Blane's Boston friends. he says desired to make
a small investment in Nor hern Pacific and to oblige
thcm and the Hon. R. D. Rco his Augusta neghbor,
who Vice President OF the road, he undertook to
play the part OF broker. Inasmuch as the
road ono chartered by Congress and
living on its bounty, tho virtuous Brother
Blaine would not for q moment have thought
Of investing in 1t himself That would have
looked bad. But fond OF his Boston friends he used
his Information concerning definite interest which
was for SALE and which had been brought 10 his attcn
ton with very glowing and extravagant accounts Of
It's prospective pronts So he was obQing enough
tell these friends OF his Of hne chance to put their
money where II would earn them "spleudd'' returns
He careful to do this condentialy, and trusting
In his word, and OF course understanding his unex
ampled opportunities TO know al about road char oar
In his hands Tin trust to buy into SO tempting
speculation Blaine took the money, but the glowing
accounts OF the prospective profits proving dcusory
he was obliged to return Il, with interest
The bargain was not what Blaine had represented II
to be. Though Speaker he had nrst rate chance
find out all about the road and In position to get
favors from its managers, yet they, perhaps uninten
tionally, msIed the simple Blaine that time They
.ous1 uos - ehSy PaoP~1oA ~
do.
Now, Blaine says his connection with the affair
sof purely friendly character" Undoubtedly 1t was
He always works his specuations OF this sort through
friends who would DO sury and selfish indeed II they
did not make their benefactor sort OF return for
his kindness in bringing to them such real supposed
chances Of making money.
But why was the Speaker Of the House Of Represent
atives NJ time when this Northern Pacific Railroad
in the way of asking favors from Congress which
Brother Blame could do much enable them TO
cure, operating as broker IN it, stock How came
he to have so supposedly FAT chance offered him ?
Why was he chosen to negotiate important sales II
he was jealous Of his integrity the head Of the
House and legislator on matters touching tho Vital
interests OF this road, why did he to
ncgotiaor OF "a definite interest," they had for sale?
The answer to these questions which every OF
sound sense and knowledge of affairs viii givo
tbis:-Brothcr Blaine was trying to make little
money out OF his power and influence Speaker Of
the House Of Representatives He did not dare APP
pear personally interested in tho Northern Pacific
road, but no worked through his friends
The transaction should speedily send James @.
Blaine 10 join that company OF Congressional martyrs
OF which Schuyler Colfax IL the head centre Il IL
altogether disgracetul to legislator, and stain
thc,man which units him for the nomination at Gin.
cinhat for which he Is 30 rcstlessy working