The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-04-28
Mr.. Blaine Will Please Rise and Ex.
plain.
From the New York sun.

III uots nor matter IN the least WDelneT
Mr.. Morton or his friends are responsible
for the statement, which was published in
indianapolis on Tuesday, connecting Mr..
Blaine with a moneyed transaction Of a very
suspicious character. Are the facts sub
stantially true as reported, or has Mr.. Blaine
been slanderedI That is the question, and
an answer that will be satisfactory TO the
country can only be obtained through "a full
and searching investigation, such a. the
judiciary Committee OF the House il EN-
p0weredt0 make. and which we assume Mr..
Blaine will Immediately demand.
The published statement does no. cover
the case, a. il has long been understood in
political circles; bu, whether correctly or in
correctly, remains 10 be determined. III l.
alleged that Mr.. Blaine became possessed in
1869 or 1870 OF Little Rock and Fort Smith
Railroad bonds 10 the amount Of SiJO, 600.
These bonds deprecated in value and were
comparatively unstable. Ii is further al
legged that $1,000 OF them were deposited
with the Union Pacific Railroad rs collateral
in 1871, for an advance Of about 81 900 made
by the Company through Morton. Bliss &
Go. for the benefit Of Mr.. Blaine, though he
may not have personally appeared in the
business.
The minutes Of the Executive Committee
Of the Union Pacific Road Of Dee. 10, 1871,
are said to show that S4 200 ~ the COM
pany's money was paid out without an ex-
planatory voucher. And at. the regular
meeting OF the directors in 1872, it Is alleged
that Mr.. j.. G.. Harrison, a Government di-
rector, proposed an inquiry, which he SUBJ
sequently withdrew at the urgentrequest OF
Z. IL. Rollins, who Is reported 10 have said,
''Blaine got that money
ThiS Is the common version OF the transac-
ton. for the exactness of which we do not
youch. That Mr.. Blaine knew OF this story
and prepared for IL, j. attesied by his recent
absence from Washington and the almost
simultaneous appearance with its publiction.
Of two letters Intended TO counteract its ef-
feet. After reading these letters of Mr..
Rollins, Treasurer Of the Union Pacific.
and Messrs. Morton. Bliss a. Co., we are
not able TO discover that they touch the real
points al all. They were prepared before
the ease was made public, and upon ''in-
quiries' formulated by Mr.. Blaine himself.
Every word written by these parties may
be technically and even literally true. and
yet their statements are wholly worthless
a. an explanation Of the indianapolis charge.
because they do not cover it, Mr.. Blaine
has not bettered himself by this secret pre-
paration, or by Withholding the form Of in
quiry which he addressed TO his correspond
ents. A public man with a good character
might at least afford Ia wait for a vindication
until his conduct or his acts were as>ailed.
This haste TO foresiall a possible accusation,
which had not taken definite OF responsible
shape. has an NJ ~ look.
Mr.. Blaine il one ofthe fortunate patriots
who went into Congress poor. and will 70
out rich. He controlled the legislation OF
the House during the Forty-first, Forty
second aud Forty-third Congressesas speak
er. more absolutely than did the majority,
who obeyed his orders, submitted 10 his
dictation, and surrendered their own judg-
ment 10 his despotic will. He selected all
the committees 10 suit his policy. chose
the leaders on both sides, and re-
quirsd every bill and resolution outside the
ordinary routine To ice submitted 10 his APP
prevail before he would recognize the NOV
err. The period Of his speakership il re-
garded As the carnival of corruption. prodi-
gality, and excess OF partisan power. Re-
construction, carpet bsggeg-. jobbery in all
forms, Credit Mobilier. monopolies, special
legislation. and Rings flourished without re-
~straint. He ruled a. II master OF all he sur
yeyed, and there was none TO dispute his
authority. That Mr.. Blaine's name was
frequently mixed up with the scandal OF
those times, IL well known. Less "A hypo-
critic and more daring than his predecessor.
Colfax. he had the reputation OF profiting by
his opportunities on a very large scale, and
Of acquiring a great fortune suddenly. Hi,
manner Of life ut Washington and At home
when contrasted with his former condition
perhaps favored this belief.
When the San made the Credit Mobiliel
investigation inevitable, Mr.. Blaine va,
shrewd enough TO take the lead, by leaving
the chair and moving the resolution. IL,
was not ignorant that his own part in tina
matter was the subject OF much comment,
which 10 this day has not been fully ex'
planned. Although he moved the investiga
ton, he was the most active and the mos
influential means of defeating its professes
purpose, and OF withdrawing the Repub
lican leaders who were caught with pocket
full Of scrip and fabulous dividends. II h
had been ON trial himself, he could not hav,
exhibited more anxiety for an &C
quittal than he showed for his friend
who sought exculpation through
bold perjury. Ames said at tn
time that Blaine had more reason han him
self 10 be concerned for the verdict of tn
House, for II he was expelled, the flood
gates would be opened. OF course Anne
and Brooks were let of gently. Nobod
was hurt. and by way Of rejoicing the Hous
passed the salary grab a few DAYS after.
Now, IL Is possible the ~ex-Speaker ma