Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-05-03
THE LAST ISLANDER CRUSHED By
MR. RL1INE

The following ID the dispatch of the Washing
ton correspondent of the New York Herald, con-
tanning the last SANDER invented against Mr.
Blaine. Ttsppeared Sunday in the Herald and
was met on Monday in the House by Mr.. Blaine's
crushing proofs of the fasencss of the accusations
contained in it.
WAsHINGToN, April 20, 1876.
1t is generally, and indeed universally. conceded
here by impartial people that Mr. Blaines state
ment of Monday last in the House of Representa-.
tives was a complete and satisfactory answer TO all
the charges which he discussed; but one criticism
which has been made is that this statement omit
ted all reference to q story that has been for some
time circulated here, and doubtless in other parts
Of the country, and of which 1t is hardly conceiv-
able that MIR. Blaine is ignorant. His omission to
refer to has, therefore, attracted attention, and
has been thought by some people to mean that Mr.
Blaine found it too embarrassing to answer and
therefore took refuge in silence. This story,
which has been hinted at in some Western journals
takes as q whole this form 1T is said that Mr..
Blaine has long held an interest in the Kansas Pa
cifc Railroad, acquired many years ago, when
that road known as the eastern division of the
Union Pacific. The precise amount or extent of
this interest is not definitely stated, brit is said
to be known to several persons, chief of whom is
named Joseph b. Stewart, well-known attorney,
for many years living here in Washington. MIR.
Stewart is said to have had confidential charge OF
Blane's interest in that road and to know all the
"bottom facts" about the 1t is further said
that a suit in the courts of Kansas conducted by
Stewart as attorney, shows that Blaine was par
ty in interest and specifies the amount of bonds he
got. Gen. Thomas Z wing, of Ohio, who was for
some years resident of Kansas, is also said to be
in full possession Of all the facts of the case.
Ewing is a relative of Blaine but he is q demo-
ciat aud it said here that he is not unwilling in
this matter to Blaine pushed to the wall,
though he does not care to take an active part in
the matter and prefers to remain silent.
1t is further said that Blaine received several
years ago certain bonds of the Kansas Pacific
Railroad from Stewart, which were delivered to
him in the law office Of Stewart & Riddle, on
Pennsylvania avenue, in. this city. A. q. Riddle,
of this firm, still lives here, aud is said to know
good deal about this transaction, more than he
cares to tell. Another principal witness of this
affair is said to be James w. knowltOn, now dead
He was a student in the law office Of Stewart &
Riddle, and was afterward . newspaper cores
pondent here. He is said to have witnessed in
some form the delivery of the bonds to Blaine,
and TO have spoken of it to several persons. FL
nay in some not very definite way, the name of
Mr.. Blaine's brother appears at different points in
the narrative, though in what precise relation or
connection does not clearly appear. The name of
this brother is John +. Blaine, and he is now q
paymaster in the regular army.
Different parts and versions of the story have
been in circulation in Washington, not only this
winter but last. Occasionally fragments have ap-
pected by those who had heard of this scandal that
Mr.. Blaine would have made some allusion to it
last Monday. As he did not it has been thought
proper and not unjust to Mr.. Blaine, who ought
to explain these things, TO put these fragments to-
gether. 1t will be observed that the names of
supposed witnesses are mentioned, and means are
thus at hand to substantiste the story to me ct
and refute it. OF it is to be hoped that Mr..
Blaine may be able to refate it, but in any case
he must meet it. 1t cannot be overlooked.