Ellsworth American., 1876-06-01

HIS EXPLANATION-A SATISFACTORY STATE
MENT-MR. BLAINE's SUPPOSED WEALTH
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HIS ENPLANATION-A SATISFACTORY STATE
MENT-MR. BLAINE's SUPPOSED WEALTH. :.
WASHINGTON, May 81. Ex-speaker Blsine.
in reply 10 inquiries day said: Some six or
seven years ago some friends OF mine in Bos-
ton desired to make small investment in the
North Pscific enterprise. and rs the Vice Pres
ident of the road. Hon. X. ID. Rice. was near
neighbor of mine in Augusta. it was thought |
might find out how and where the purchase
could be made. In one or two instances heard
at interests being for sale, but nothing WAS
done.
Finally. in the sutumn Of 1870. definite in
torc>t was for sale. and il was brought 10 my
attention. with very glowing and extravagant
accounts of the prospective profits. A. II wss
a road chartered By Congress. deriving its
franchise and grants directly from Congress.
and liable at any time 70 apply TO Congress for
future favors. did not my self entertain for a
moment the idea of becoming interested in il:
but A. these friends had been wishing such an
investment. aud they bad the same right
that any other private citizen had 10 own In
the enterprise. | communicated the facts To
them precisely a. they had been given To me.
few day- ancr | was notified that they
would he glad 10 purchase. and certificate of
deposit. or cashiers check. for $4,000 WAS
placed in my hands in trust" the receipts
shows. TO hand over 10 the person propos ing
20 >eil. who in due time will doubtless speak
for himself The certificate was to be taken in
the name Of Elisha Atkins, one of the most
prominent and honorable merchants in Boston.
II was soon found. however. that the Northern
Pacific interest was in some way pledged, or
hyPoiheeated, or embarrassed ~ 10 title. and
the matter ran along Tor over year. aud nnai-
" came to nothing. The money in full. with
interest. was returned to MIR. Warren Fisher
with whom negotiations were had, and the
holder of the Northern Pacific interest retain
ed it. possibly found another purchaser. OF
kNh | nnfh -. fh.s
whole OF the transaction out Of which. a sensi-
tion is attempted.
Nv connection with II was purely Of friend
lv character. | had not the rrmotest interest in
ira,,anx u ~ a"i tnap q should become interested 10
II. The transaction was. of course. regarded
10y me A. an every WAY proper. otherwise |
should most certainly never have received and
rccripied for the money 10 hold in trust until
the Transaction should be consummated be-
tween the parties. Il am very glad" continued
Mr.. II aine. that INV letter. which the sun
publishes. proves on it, face that would not
tsy-,'lf touch the inse>tmcn'. | could easily
have purchased it. had | been willing: Lut |
did not deem such investment advisable for mo
10 make. From first 10 last in all the cgi~lt-
ton touching Pacific Railroads. never had an
inter, - Of penny in one of them. nor in Any
Of them. nor in any Of their branches, directly
or ind rerilv.
In PRIV ate letter, II anywhere, man will
sPcak unguariedS snd this letter, written
win DO expectation Of its ever being puhiis,.-
'd. proves couclu-iytly that when = Pacific
Railroad Interest wa, offered me. with brilliant
promises OF great profit. | declared that could
not touch {. think the sun IN publishing
iIi. pr.yt letter has supplied valuable
proof ut ms official integrity In the matter.
Mr.. RIAGNF's PRIVATE INTERESTS.
IAN these attacks" rc.umcJ Mr. blaine.
aittr slight pause. "sre intended 20 impress
ihr people with the belief that have lsrgr
~ aith aud It ha> been acquired since entered
tousre>>. The moderate properly which |
own Wa almost wholly derived from fortunate
investment sin coal land. in my native Manun-
gAh.lA valley IN western Pcnn>yi, ania. made
>ome wears before first ran f'r Congress. |
notice many papers. whose editors never saw
an know nothing ofmy sfdr.. elibly pat my
pro- ats down a; q round m lion. The u'-
most ~ properly would bring today would
no. amount TO a tflh part Of that sum.
! can sav. with the striclc-t truth that. all
thing rou~i ler'i. | am not TODAY a--N.ll of
pccuniarly a, Wa. the day entered oonZres. .
Ia Dec mheT. l~3. Had | not remained In
Congress ! would tD-,iay. Ia INV Judgment.
have had large fortune, A. business enter
priSe> were al my command. II could have AZ
tended 10 them. would have rcsu led most IA
yorably. But every friend who know. me
knows that neither my income. nor NV cN-
prnditure- nor nv habits ~ hic Imply or sug-
g,-t the possession q fprtsnc. or Of anything
IA Iced. beyond : moderate competency