Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-05-27
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER,
WASHINGTON, D. c., MAY 9, 1867.
POLITICAL.

The National Executive Committee
of the Liberal Republican party, as an
ticipated in this correspondence, has
determined to call a National Conven-
ton. Philadelphia is the place, and
July 26th the time, selected for the pur-
pose. There the Candidates of both
the parties will be in the field and the
Liberals can Judge between them.
Whether they will nominate candidates
of their own, or be content with endors-
ing those of one of the other parties
will depend upon their estimate of the
character and abilities of either for the
purpose of Reform. The Liberals be-
lieve that the country needs a 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, aDd national
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 antecedents, the party
itself having no antecedents, and there
fore unembarrassed by record-a party
which looks to the future for its useful
ness, and to the past only for instruc-
ton. This is high ideal which, it is
probable, the logic Of events will prevent
from being realized this year. We are
! too close upon the verge of actual con-
tilct to form a new army; and the Lib
erals will have to join one or the other
of those in the field. 1t is said that of
all those yet spoken of for the Presidency
by either party, these Liberals and Re-
formers 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 SG4 900 Union Pa
cific bond purchase to its own satisfac-
ton, Mr. Blaine has again found it
necessary to rise to a personal explana-
ton. In the schedule of Kansas Paci-
fic bonds which had been placed as
Cakes Ames said, where they would do
the most good" the name of 81 Blaine,
15 appears. This schedule was not
intended for public eye, but saw the
light of day through the clairvoyance of
a newspaper correspondent in 1873.
The gentleman who first disclosed the
facts to the world was Mr.. J. ".
knowlton, now deceased the correspon-
dent of the Chicago Tribune. Mr.
Blaine's explanation reflected upon the
veracity of the correspondent; and ex-
Congressman Riddle, father-in-law of
the latter, addressed q letter to Mr..
Blaine, in which he said:
" You assaulted the reputation of
James Walcott Knowlton, then two
years and half in his grave Had he
survived till to-day, you would have re-
manned silent; and your Joe Stewards
and MacFarlands would have told no
tales. 1t devolyes on Inc to vindicate
as best | may, his memory from YOUR
assertions; which l shall do at an early
day"
The parties here referred to were
both involved in the Pacific Mail distri
! button; MacFarland having received
$25 900, which he said he delivered to
Col. Forney. Stewart is the x recusant
witness who refused to testify; and it
is due to a gentleman of a similar name
to say that it is Joseph B. Stewart, not
Joseph j. Stewart, of Baltimore. who
is engaged here in law business, that is
meant. Mr.. Riddle, doubtless, has the
data upon which Knowlton disclosed
| the facts in 1878; and as he is q good
lawyer as we'll as close writer, he not
only knows what evidence is, but how
to put it together, SO we may expect
an interesting essay on railroad lobby
ing before long, in which the ex-Speaker
will figure, and perhaps his 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.
I had brief chat with General Belk-