The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1876-05-16
TUEsD AY. MAY 10. 1876.
Mr.. Blaine's Record.

To the Editor Of tn n. Y. Tribune:
SIR: Under the date of January
81, 1868, thefollowing was introduc-
ed by Mr.. Blaine in the National
House of Representatives.
"ReSolred, That the Secretary
of the Treasury be directed to re-
port to this House what measures
have been adopted under the pro-
visions of the act of March 3, 1868,
entitled, AN act to prevent and
punish frauds upon the revenue,
&c. what amount of money has
been realized from such action, the
number and condition of the suits
now pending for the forfeiture Of
property SO seized (; whether unusual
difficulties and delays have occurred
in the prosecution of such suits to
judgment, and if so, what are the
causes thereof, with such correspon-
dence between the Treasury Depart
ment and the officers of the revenue
rs relates to such seizures and to
measures for the prevention and pun
ishment of frauds upon the customs
revenue, what has been the effect of
such measures upon the increase of
the revenue and the suppression of
frauds, what has been the extent OF
the frauds committed and their effect
upon the financial, commercial, and
manufacturing interests of the coun-
try, with his opinion as to what, if
any, further legislation is necessary
for the suppression of Frauds
Mr.. Blaine distinguished himself
as an able and generous advocate of
thorough and immediate reconstruc-
ton on the solid basis of impartial
suffrage. His speeches in those
troubled times were hampered by no
sectional animosity or interest /: on
the contrary, they were characterized
by a friendly feeling and an enlight-
ened prudence. During his fourteen
years of national service, few qucs-
tons Of general Importance have
escaped his notice. From the first
he has been q sincere and earnest
defender of an honest currency and
n pronounced enemy of reputation.
While addressing the House, Novem-
Der 90, 1867, in deadly opposition
to the doctrines of Pendleton and
Butler, he closed with the following
eloquent words :
1--WE must vindicate our claim to
the highest heroism on a hundred
bloody battle-felds, and have stop
ped at no sacrifice of life needful to
the maintenance of our national in
tegrity. | am sur that in the peace
which our arms have conquered we
shall not dishonor ourselves by with
holding from any public creditor a
dollar that we have promised to pay
him, nor seek by cunning construc-
ton and clever afterthought to evade
or escape the full responsibility of
our national Indebtedness"
In the republican caucus, Mr..
Blaine attacked the Force Bill as
then proposed, with great vehcmence
denying the right to confer such an
"autocratic power upon any man,
however safe he might be. In the
amnesty debate the charges of Mr..
Blaine were against JEFF Davis per-
sonally. He disclaimed in his first
speech any implication ofthe southern
people as sympathizers with the bar
barity at Andersonville. 1t was,
therefore, false delicacy for Mr.. Hill
to champion unpopular Confederate
leaders. To place the ex-Speaker in
the same category with Morton and
Conkling is unjust and absurd. In
view of the distinguished services,
spotless character and eminent abili-
ties Of Mr.. Blaine, he has claims on
his countrymen independent of sec
ton or party. ARATUs.
Philadelphia, April %, 1876.