The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-01
BROTUER BL1TNE,S OFFENCE.
The Men ON whom he Relies for Refutatiou
Of the Charecs.

of the Charges.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: II is
very unfortunate for the Hon. James G.. Blaine
that he was compelled to rely for the refutation
Of the charges brought against him by Mr. Har-
rison Of indianapolis upon the solicited state
ments of railroad men, at present and formerly
connected with the Union Pacific.
Very many OF the newspapers OF the country
have been disposed to accept Mr.. Blaine 5 speech
az com rlete refutation of the charges brought
against him. The statement which he made was
adrotly prepared and presented, but Ia n case
like this, where great political and national in
terests are likely to be involved, more than
ordinary care should be used In sitting evidence
which on each side must necessarily be regarded
as interested.
Mr. Harrison, from his position In the Union
Pacific as u Government Director, undoubtedly
became possessed of certain knowledge In re-
gard to the payment Of t64 00o to somebody, up
on the pledge OF sbaky securities. The Secre-
tarv OF the company, he says, told him and Mr.
Milard that Blaine was implicated. Mr.. Blaine
denies the allegation and writes to Sidney Dill
lon President Of the Union Pacific Railroad, In
regard to the matter. Mr. Dillon holds his posi-
ton In the Union Pacific Railroad at the pleas
ure Of Jay Gould Mr. Gould owns the major
part 81 the stock OF the Union Pacific, and also
NCU York Tribune.
The Union Pacific Railroad Is a supplicant for
RELIEF 81 the hands OF Congress. Tue Tribune Is
In such n desperate financial condition that its
only chance to make ends meet is to flnd a pur-
Presidential canvass. MIR. Blaine Is said to be
worth million Of dollars, and that he - n can
didate for the Presidency Is we'll known fact
IL is also well known That The Tribune has been
working In his behalf.
Mr.. Blaine. then, In wri ing TO Sidney Dillon
for Information ABOUT the CHARGES OF the dow
eminent Director was certainly not likely to re-
ceive nm answer Of hostile or lukewarm charac-
ter. Sidney Dillon, or Jay Gould In reality, has
no interest in opening up a matter which would
provoke Investigation INTO the Union Pacific, or
damage ITS PROSPECTS OF an advantageous ar
rangement with the Government regarding the
liquidation OF the debt OF seventy seven mil
lions of dollars which that road will be liable for
Gould in selling out either the Tribune or its in
tiuence to rich candidate for the Presidency.
The letter OF Mr.. Dillon, In response to that OF
Mr. Blaine, instead OF explaining the TT ms action
In question, referred IN polite terms to Col.
Thomas Scott, VINO was President OF the Union
Pacific at the time when the t64.0O0 loan was
made. Col Scott IA also a prominent candidate
for favors at tho hands of Congress In oonnec-
ton with the Texls Pacific, and IL would be DIFF
ncult to ace how he could improve his prospects
| at the national capital by telling how he had
paid out $64.0 OF the money of the Union Pa
clnc upon pledge of wildcat securities to MIR.
Blaine. Such Railroad magnates as Col.
Scott, Commodore Vanderbilt, and Jay Gould
are not noted for their readiness to CON
mittees clothed with extraordinary powers
have had little success In obtaining informant on
OF their financial transactions with legislative in
dividudls, aud II Ia not iikely that a letter by
post would be OF greater efficacy In accom- dish
| ing such result.
1t will be noticed that Col. Scott did not ex-
| plain the $64,OOO loan transaction, which he
should have exposed tn Its details. In order 10
| have satisfied MIR. Harrison, Congress, and tue
public. lie denied having any financial transac-
| tiOns with Mr. Blame. aud this letter, the ex-
| Spt aker claims, IL sufficient to vindicate him
| from the CHARGES OF the Government director,
which have not been explained at all, or even
noticed.
White Mr.. Blaine may not have had any OF the
money OF the Union Parilc Railroad, the re tu-
| titiUn Of the charges based on such found alton
can not he COZ sidered complete. The frantic
efforts OF Jaw Gould's Tribune, which so sadly
needs financial assistance, to slur over Mr.. Har-
rlsOn's charges, ana to manufacture publiC
opinion for Mr.: Blaine, are extremely suspi-
cious. The stool pigeon, Of course. writes undei
Instructions rom Jay Gould personally, and II
will he interesting to look into the motives
which prompt that eminent hnancier TO support
| any man tor President. The credit Of the
United States will. no doubt. be greatly I'm
proved abroad II the candidate OF jay Gould
and the Central aud Union Pacific Railroads 1:
elected, anu IL might be still further enhanced
| were Jaw Gould tn be offered place In tue Cabi
net IL Secretary Of the Treasury. IL Mr.. Blaine
had nothing to do with the transactions which
| are mentioned by MIR. Harrison. he would sufe
| In no way by having the alter thoroughly in
| vestigated by proper committee.
STIRABoUT.