The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-27
EX-SPEAKER BLAINE.
AN INTERVIEW WITH MR.. HARRISON, OF INDIAN
APoLIs-THR FORT SMITH AND LITTLE
ROCK LAND GRANT MATTER.

AN INTERVIEW WITH MR.. HARRISON, OF INDIAN
APoLIs-THE FORT SMITH AND LTTTLE
ROCK LAND GRANT MATTER.
CINCINNATI, Ohio April g. 1876.
The Gazette tomorrow morning will publish inter-
view with Mr. John G. s. Harrison, OF indianapolis
Mr. Harrison makes the following statement:-"At
the September 1884, meeting OF the Board OF Directors
OF tho Union Pacific Railroad, at which present,
the President Of tho Board Mr. Horace Clark, called
the attention Of tho directors letter from the Pres
ident OF the Fort Smith and Little Rock Land
Grant Railroad with reference to some bonds OF that
road held by the Union Pacific Company.
Desire TO know something moro about these bonds,
made motion to appoint acommtee Of three to invest
gate and report before the adjournment Of tho Board
to how they camo into its possession and all matters
connected Herewith. Thereupon +. II. Rollins, the
secretary, took to nde and told
me that must withdraw that motion
for an OF tho bond transaction as Il would
involve James G. Blame. Ho SAID the fall elections
were near hand. and Blaine candidate for re-
election to Congress In Maine. An exposure OF the
transaction just at that time would be surc TO defeat
him with that withdrew the motion subsequently
took J. II. Willard, OF Omaha, who was and still re-
mains government director Mr.. Rollins, and IN his
presence asked Rollins II understood him correctly In
relation to the bond transaction involving MI.
Blaine lie repeated that did and that
an investigation would be TO XIII
or Mr. Blaine at the approaching election. Aerward,
when the Investigating COMMITTEE, OF winch Jcrcnian
NJ. Wilson was chairman, was in session. and Il. H.
Collins was tho stand, elegraphcd WiIsonfo ask
the witness certain questions concerning the Fort
Smith and Little Rock bonds but in noticing the daily
reports OF committee afterwards that no such
questions were asked. On the 80 OF February 1873,
wrote to Wilson, chairman OF the committett moro
fully about the matter detailing the facts that havo
Just now stated but did not mentions Mr.. Blaine's
name l stated that the transaction Implicated
prominent member Of the republican party That let
ter was copied my regular letter book at Indanap-
oils and can be referred 10 at any time never TO
any 70 inc aavs ."
Delano secretary Of the Interior, wrote letter TO
prominent republican official saying IL was deemed
best the part Of the government to change tho en-
tire Board OF Directors OF the Union Pacific Railroad,
and that he therefore proposed to appoint some one
1Iom n"'a TS,. as p1'' pcno met
with s,ch strong opposition that was
abandoned aud none OF the directors were removed.
We engaged at that time IN making an active light
against the Wyoming Coal Company which was swind-
hing tho Union Pacific out OF 5000 or 5000, 600
can lind copy OF in the Interior Department Bear in
mind that this action on my part as government d.
rector aud the correspondence to which have re-
errcd and the efforts tho part OF Secretary Dcano to
have inc removed the Board Of Directors occurred
1872, and early in 1873. Just about the time or tho
reelection Of President Grant, and when neither Mr.
Blaine nor any other spoken OF In connection
with the Presidency 10 1875 II Is therefore, IN
reasonable suppose that body at that stage Of the
proceedings was interested in defeating MI Biaine's
Presidential aspiraiions.
This whole Little Rock bond matter W ud have been
investigated by the United states Court al the tmo
but for the killing OF OF the Credit Mobilier suits
showed Mr. jerks, the government special Attorney
who with three others was charged with investigating
the affair this order OF the Executive Committee
NEW YoRK. Dec. i6 1871
Ordered that Morton Bliss Co. he authorized
on the ~ this company for S64Uo payable
hold collateral security for tina
company seventyhve land grant bonds OF the Lt1 Rock
ard Fori Smith Railroad Company.
He made a copy OF II 10 my presence and would have
entered suit upon II At had not al these Credit
Mobier failed in the courts, being ruled out
demurrer.
In conclusion, I have to say that am ready and
willing at any time before the Judiciary Com
mi,tec the House and make oath TO the iscts In
statement