The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1876-04-25


for his benefit, In any form, All state
ments 10 the effect that Mr. Blaine
ever had any transaction with me,
directly or indirectly, involving money
or valuables e any kind, are absolute
ly without foundation In faot,n
In sending the above letter TO Mr.,
Mr.. Blaine, Mr.. Dillon says In his
note:
~ desire to say that | was Director
OF the Company and n member Of the
Executive Committee In 1871, and TO
add my testimony to that Of Colonel
rcott, In advoCation OF all that he has
stated In the enclosed letter.
Mr., Blaine then referred to the fact
that some newspapers had urged him
TO ask for an Investigation and said;
II had asked for II committee TO In.
vestigate the pending matter should
have been compelled to wait la neces-
sary slow action with charges all the
while hanging over me undenled aud
unanswered, and pending proceedings
OF investigation which had myself
asked, Propriety would have forbid.
den my collie, ting and publishing the
desired proof aud which have now
submitted.
Unless misapprchend the scope
and force OF the testimony, II leaves
no charge against me in any form,
am ready to submit the whole matter
to the candid Judgment of the House
and country, and II the House thinks
the matter should be further inquired
into beg to express my entire readi-
nes, to give all the assistance in my
power to make the investigation ny
thorough, rigid and impartial MS pos
sible.
Mr. Blaine then referred to the ru-
NOR that he is the owner of $3.50 600 to
$3.50, 900 in Little Rock and Fort Smith |
bonds, which he received without due
consideration, and from which Scott
received his $40, 900, and stamped 1t as
utterly false, lie then entered into n
lengthy statement regarding the act OF
Congress during Fillmore's admins
tration granting lands to the State Of
Arkansas for railroad purposes, the
granting of some OF this land to the
Little Rock and Fort Smith railroad
years ago, and how he purchased for
cash, at prices fixed by the company,
some of the bonds of this road; how he
lost the money invested, as did great
many men OF New England; how the
Atlantic and Pacific, and Missouri,
Kansas and Texas companies took
stock In the Little Rock and Fort
Smith road with the view to putting 1t
on its feet when 1t was in financial
trouble; that this stock did not belong
to him (Blaine) nor did he have one
dollars interest in the road.
Mr.. Blaine then made brief SUM
mary of what he had presented, and
closed ms follows:
81 can hardly expect, Mr.. Speaker
that any statement from me will stop
the work of those who have so indus
triously circulated these calum-
MES. For months past the effort
has been energetic and continuous
to spread these stories In private
circles; emissares of SANDER have Wis
tied editorial rooms of the leading Re-
publican papers from Boston to
Omaha, and whispered of revelations
to come that were too terrible ever TO
be spoken in loud tones, and at last
the revelation had been made. am
now, Mr.. Speaker, In the fourteenth
year of not inactive service in this |
Hall; | have taken and have given
blows; | have no doubt said many |
things in the heat of debate which | |
would now gladly recall; have no
given votes which, in fuller temper,
would gladly change; but Ihave never
done anything in my public career for
which could be put to the faintest
bushes on any.pretense, or for which
cannot answer to my constituents, my |
conscience, and the Great Searcher OF
Hearts.
Blaine's speech was delivered very |
impressively from written notes, and
was listened to with eager attention |
by every member and person within
the crowded hall. AS he concluded |
there was u murmur of applause from
both sides OF the hall. One Of a
group of prominent Democratic
members having temporary seats
near the reporters desk, exclaimed as
he finished his assertion Of innocence: |
al believe it, every word OF it," to
which others replied, "And so do l."
The House then resumed consideration |
of the District Tax Bill, but without |
action adjourned.
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