Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-06-14
THE sun SHINING ON BLAINE
IN EYER Y7'HING.

ihc iohoNhiB bVoiNhihB =" bNio hoth
the New York Sun, reflects, truly, the
character Of one of the leading Radical
candidates far the Presidency, and de-
serves the attentive perusal of oil true
Americans.
No man who has figured conspicu.
ously in the violent politics of the last
twelve years, appears to have i'm.
proved the opportunities offered by the
venal and vicious legislation Of the
Republican party better than James
G.. Blaine, who for half of that time
was Speaker of the House of Repre-.
sentatives. Smart, tricky, quick, au.
dacious, and unscrupulous, he made
himself during his Speakership abso.
lutte master Of the House. Having
the appointment of all the committees,
he assigned his peculiar friends to the
important places, and thus may be
said to have held the reins of legisla.
tion in bis own hands. lie controlled
the minority by selecting as its leaders
such weak or mercenary Democrats
as were willing to obey his dictation,
and 10 make terms Tor themselves by
sacrifice Of their political trusts and
their personal independents.
He introduced new rules and prac-
tices, and absorbed q power never as
sumed by or yielded to any former
Speaker. No member who had a
scheme to propose or an inquiry to
make, could be recognized until he first
consulted Mr.. Blaine, and obtained his
consent, In this way, be not only be.
came familiar with every project Of
the lobby, with the plans Of the enor.
nous land grants, with the designs Of
reconstruction, and the brood OF cor
rupt measures which disgraced the
statute book during that period, but
he made il the interest of all their ad-
vocates to conciliate him personally,
and to sustain oil his arbitrary rulings
in the chair,
BY these means he had knowledge
of the general and individual corrup-
tion of tho party, and had curb Bit
in the mouth of every leader and con.
spicuous member Of the House. The
rank and file had TO submit, be pushed
aside, or be accommodated as dsloyal
many who were really honest had nc
alternative bat enforced obedience OF
political exile. He established des.
potism in which there was no tolera-
tion of opposing opinion, and no posi-
bility of appeal.
From this inside information and
immense authority, with native sbrewd-
ness to utilize both TO his own advant-
age il required no great skill for Mr..
Blaine TO call in "thc Coburns" and
others of his peculiar friends, and tell
them whore to put their money to do
the most good to oil concerned, on the
one hand, and to advise the Ring chiefs
and representatives, on the other, thst
they were Capitalists" who ought by
all means to be propitiated. Both
sides soon understood each other
The Senate was easily controlled in
this sort Of jobbing legislation. Pro
portionately to the House, there was
more venality in that body than In the
other. The immense prices paid for
seats is proof Of the chances which
they offered of remuneration for such
investments Of capital. They were
either allowed a share Of the spoils
when the scheme was big enough TO
afford distribution, or they were noti-
fed to keep "hands off," on penalty OF
having their own bills defeated in the
House. Thus a perfect accord was
established between the leaders and
managers in both Houses, and as a
consequence followed the sudden wealth
ofscores ofmen who had gone to WASH
ington needy.
Schuyler Coliax and the "pious7
thieves of whom he was the type and
the chief filed pockets with bonds,
scrip, and grccnbacks, while they were
shaking hands with "our colorcd
brother" whose hard earnings they
stole out Of the Frcedman's Bank, and
lccturng before the Young Mems
Christian Association at Washington.
Blaine did not do his business in this
way. He did not set up for Chris
tion, but rather the reverse, and no
discarded the Colfhx smile. 'ff'f
Recent discussions have brought to
light only portion Of Mr.. Blalne's
dealings in various railroad bonds and
shares that derived their whole yalue