Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-25
HON, J. 6. BLAINE GIVES 4 PER.
SONAL EXPLANATION.
The Closest Attention VniU to
his Speech.
A Square Denial Of the Entire
SIandcr.

Washington, April "a. In the House. to-day,
Mr.. Blaine proceeded to make a personal eXpa-
nation, which was listened to with eager ahen-
ton. lie said
"MR SPEAKER With the leave of the House,
so kindly granted, shall proceed to submit
tain facts aud correct certain errors personal TO
myself. The dates Of the correspondence en-
blaced in my statement will show that it was i'm
possible for me to make It earlier. L shall be as
brief as the circumstances will permit.
For some months past charge against me has
been circulating in private, and wa, recently made
public designing to show that had in some indi-
rect manner received the large sum OF Sbi,OOo
from the Union Pacific b. r. Co., in 1871. For
what services or for what purpose has never been
stated. The alleged proof OF this serious
ton based, according to the original story on
the authority of E. III. Rollins, Treasurer Of the
Union Pacific Co., Who it was avered, had full
knowledge that got the money; and also upon
the authority of Morton, Bliss < Co., bankers, Of
New York. through whom the draft for SGi 900
was said to have been negotiated for my benefit
as they confdentially knew.
Hearing of the charge some weeks in advance
procured the following statements from the two
principal witnesses. who were quoted as having
such definite knowledge against me:
New York, April 6, 1876.
Hon. j. G. Blaine Washington:
Dear Sir-In answer TO your inquiry, we beg to
say that no draft note or check or other evidence
of value, has ever passed through our books in
which YOU were known or supposed to have any
interest of any kind, direct or indirect.
Very respectfully, your ob't servants,
Morton, Bliss Il Co.
Also the following
Office Of Union Pacific RAILROAD CO.,
Boston, Mass, Malcs3l.
Hon. j. G. Blaine, Washington:
Dear Sir-In response to your inquiry, | beg
leave to state that have been Treasurer of the
Union Pacific Railroad Co. since April Sth, 1871,
and have necessarily known Of all disbursements
made since that date. During that entire period,
up to the present time, l am sure that no money
has been paid in any way or to any person by the
Company in which you are interested in any man
ner whatever.
make this statement in justice to the Company,
to you and to myself.
Very respectfully,
f. II. Rollins.
Some persons on reading the letter of Morton,
Bliss & Co. said that its denial seemed to be con-
fined to any payment that had passed through
their "books, whereas they might have paid a
draft in which was interested and vet no entry
of il be made on their books. On this criticism
being made to the firm they at once addressed me
in the following letter:
New York, April IL, 1876.
Hon. J. G. Blaine, Washington, D. G., Dear
Sir-It has been suggested to us that our letter of
the sixth inst not sufficiently inclusive or ex-
elusive. In that letter we stated that no draft,
note or check, other evidence of value, had
ever passed through our books in which you were
known or supposed to have any interest, direct or
or indirect. 1t may be proper for us to add that
nothing has been paid by US in any form or at any
time, to any person or any corporation in which
you were known, believed Or supposed to have
any interest whatever.
Your obedient servants,
(Signed), MORTON, BLISS & Co.
The two witnesses. quoted for the original
charge having thus effectualy disposed of it, the
charge itself reappeared in another form, to this
feet, viz. That certain draft was negotiated
at the house of Morton, Bliss & CO. in 1871
through Thomas A. Scott, then President of the
| Union Pacific Railroad Co., for the sum of S64,-
| 600, and that 1000 of the bonds of the Little
Rock & Fort Smith Railroad Co. were pledged a.