Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-05-02
delivering some bonds to Hon. James G. Blaine, ]

| delivering some bonds to Hon. James G. Blaine,
was the w ashington correspondent of the Phla-
| delphia Press. Mr.. Jas. w. Knowlton, then cor
| respondent of the Chicago Tribune, since de-
ceased occupied the same office with me. The
day after the article appeared in the Sum- with Mr.
Knowton as its presumed authority he came to
me and asked me if l would accompany him to
Speaker Baine's residence and introduce him, as
he had an important communication to make to
the Speaker. | accordingly went with him, and
in my presence he assured Mr. Blaine Of his great
regret tina. such report should have got into cir
cuaton on his apparent responsibility, and he had
come to regulate it, and to assure Mr. Blame OF
how much he regretted that any annoyance should
come to him in this way. He unquestionsbly
withdrew the charge in my presence, declaring
that there was no foundation whatever for it, and
assuring Mr. Blaine that he had taken the prompt
est measures to prevent, as far as he could, any
other papers publishing it, referring to 1t.
Mr.. knowlton spoke to me about the matter very
frequently afterwards, were in daily and in-
innate associations. lie always expressed the
kecnest regret that he should in any way have
been quoted for demogogue rumor that bad no
foundation. The attempt to revive this old, and
as | am convinced, baseess scandal is my reason
for making this statement, which do in justice to
the living and the dead.
(Signed) J. MCFARLAND.
| do not think any further contradiction is ne
cessary of story that never had the slightest
foundation in truth, but which has been most ca
gerly and industrously circulated as twin scan
dial to the S6i 900 falsehood. My excuse for tres
passing even thus briefly on the kindness of the
House, is the fact that desire to give the widest
possible publicity to my dsproot of story that
has been,circulated far and near and yet mostly
in secret, and never with responsible author
now dismiss it with the possible groundless hope
that those who have sought to inJure me by repeat
ing it will make the proper and honorable amends.
One word more, Mr. Speaker: believe the coun-
try will understand and appreciate the motives
that suggests these untruthful accusations Uav
ing now noticed the two that have been so extern
sivcly circulated | shall! refrain from calling the
attention of the House to any others that may be
invented. To quote the language OF another: II
do not propose to make my public life a perpetual
and uncomfortable flea hunt, in the vain effort to
run down stories that have no basis in truth"
which are usually anonymous, and whose total
explosion brings no punishment to those who have
been guilty of originating them.
The Speaker laid before the House the follow
ing communication from Hallett kilbourne, the
late recusant witness in the real estate pool nves
tigation:
Washington, May |, 1876.
Hon. Michael C. Kerr, Speaker of the House of
Representatives;
Sr-I have the honor to respectfully inform
you, and through you the honorable House of
Representatives that am now willing to appear
before the House, or the committee, and answer
fully all nterrogatories III regard to the socalled
Real estate pool in which kilbourne & Lolita,
with the view that after full investigation the
fact will appear as l made oath to, that the gov
ernment was in no way interested therein.
| beg to assure you that had no other motive
| in refusing to comply with the demand of the
house of representatives heretofore, than the vim
dicaton of private and personal rights of the citi-
zen. As there seems to be real or etfectua sus-
pcion that there is something Of wrong that
| have refused to reveal, and which our books and
papers will show, therefore, waving all questions
| of he ri az house
| to inquire and examine into private and per-
| sonal affairs. in which | know there is no wrong
and no public interest involved, am willing that
| the honorable committee SHALL and hereby invite
| them to visit our Office, where all the books and
papers relating to business shall be as open as
| the day to their inspection, and every facility Of
fered them for thorough investigation Of their
| contents | make but one request in connection
| with such an examination of our private books &C.,
and that is, if the committee find as have testi-
fed to be the fact, that there is nothing wrong OF
| affecting public interests. they will so report
to the house of representatives., and not
publish allow to be published. our business trans
actions, In which no one but ourselves and our pat
rons are interested.
| Again assuring you of my highest regard for
yourself, and respect for the honorable house of
| representatives,
remain, very respectfully,
(Sgned) HALLETT kILBoURNE.
| The communication was laid on the table.
| The Speaker announced the appointment of a
select committee to investigate the federal officers
| at New Orleans, follows;
| Messrs. Gibson of La Blackburn of Ky, New
of Ind, Vanes of o., Stevenson of Ky, James
b. Rely of Pa, Foster of o., Grape of Mass. and
| Darrall of La.
the Speaker obtained a leave of absence, or
account of personal Illness for not exceeding ter
days, commencing to morrow morning. and then
| under authority of the amendment to rule five
| adopted the other day, he appointed Mr.. Cox
n. T. to preside as Speaker pro TEN. during hi:
| absence.
Adjourned.