The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-20
Blame and the Arkansas Bonds.

The recent brief letter Of Mr.. HARR1sON
bf Indianapolis puts new phase on the
transnction in which Mr.. BLAINE's name
figures so suspiciously, aud makes an in
vcstigaticn by the House unavoidable.
There is 10 possible escape from it now,
consistently with duty or even with de-
cencv. II is evident that some extraor-
binary means were employed in 1873 to
suppress an inquiry, when the whole sub
jcct OF the Union Pacific Railroad and It's
obligations to the Government were osten-
fiby under examination.
A special committee was raised Of which
Mr.. JEREMIAH NJ. WILSON of Indiana was
Chairman. A great deal OF testimony was
taken In regard to the road, the construc-
zion, and the Credit Mobilier, and it all
ended in bill TO commence SUITE against
the company, which failed before the SUI
preme Court because Of the imperfectious
OF that loose legislation. But let us look
at Mr. HAmisoy's letter:
lin January. is7a toleeiaphcd TIC ror Jrrrr'u
Mus0N, hannah. 10 teiai 10 ne ,.iu l,-e ~
by the Uuiou Pacific l,sllrou' t,mplu7. IA we'd they
=. ~. arg ,um o. IL n'y, aaa cue on cues.
IN noile Gus The reports q the daily nation q
"a thcs en- a. 3. 1853 wrote t. tle chairman more
r. n
X tie 6H,roi htpigH, IitHs ntttr informed"
The report and testimony Of Mr.. VIII
SONS committee contain no reference to
this statement, and Mr.. WILSON is placed
IN the prCdicamcnt Of having withheld I'M
portant in formation from his colleagues
Or having secretly. with his Republican
Gssociat,s, refused TO call Government
director who offered to testify TO import
nut facts, which were made known TO him
rs Chairman, both IN telegram and u
letter.
The question naturally occurs What in
duccd Mr.. WILSON to conceal these COM
municaiious, If lie took that course. or
what induced the majority Of the COM
mittee, If they were informed OF the
facts, 10 refrain from invest igationl Was
MIR. BLAINE consulted, or was il thought
best not to cmbarrass the then Speaker by
tuch an inquisltion7 OF course the judi
ciary Committee, which is charged with
this general subject must call Mr.. WILSON,
Mr.. sHEILAnARGER. and Mr.. HoAR, to
know the reasons why Mr.. HARRIsoN' ;
offer Of testimony was not accepted.
Fortunately for Mr. HAHnIsoS, his orig
inal action in this matter was taken nj n
time when no unworthy motive could be
asciibed TO him. Nil. BLAINE was then II
power in his party, and, rs Speaker yir-
tually shaped its legislation. His name
had never been mentioned ms a possible
candidate for President. Therefore he
had every advantage of position in his
favor, and il is not unlikely he used ii TO
Tt,he inquiry.
Mr.. BLAINE attempted to make virtue
OF necessity after The SUNS exposure OF
the Credit Mobilier 10 rush forward ana
move an investigations He was Speaker,
and had an obedieut majority behind him
TO whitewash the corrupt jobbers. Now,
however, when his own integrity is as
sailed, and the Gravest charges are pub
lcly made on responsible authority in his
own party, he suoaks away from any ill.,
quiry aud puts forward the mCanest pre-
texts TO cover cowardly retreat.
The country wants to know, FIRST how
BLAINE became possessed Of $4,000 of
Fort Smith and Little Rock land grant
loucs; end, secondly, whether tile Union
Pacific Company loaned linn, through Col
TON SCoTT, It's President, or any one else
tGl,OOO on collateral of $4,000 Of thes,
yalueless bonds? When these questions
are answered, r. they must be, others vii
b. propouuded that are likely to interest
the public