New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-06-06
THE TRIUMPH DESCRIBED.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l

lBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
w.suNCToN June 5.-Even Mr.. Blaine's enemies,
,vbo nick flaws in his statement made to-day and
shake their heads doubtfully when they read some
messages in his letters admit that in spite OF 1t ALL
he had a triumph The real climax was reached
after the reading of the letters had been completed
Reviewing the facts in the case very briefly, Mr.
Blaine said that only bit of evidence was want
ing to make il entirely complete That was the tes-
timony of Josiah Caldwell. \ suggestion had been
made, he said. that Mr. Caldwell be summoned, ana
he asked Mr.. Knott, the Chairman OF the
Committee, ii he had sent telegram to nm III
Europe Mr. Knott replied evasively that he had
not been able to learn Mr.. CaldwelPs address. Then
Mr. Blaine reused to the highest pitch of excitement
demanded TO know if he had received any dispatch
from Mr. Caldwell, and without waiting for an an
swer he strobe down into the open space before the
clerks desk and announced that he had heard yes
terlay morning that such a dispatch had been re-
csiyed Sull receiving no answer and the
excitement in the House being at the very
highest pitch, Mr.. Blaine charged down
upon the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee
with the terrible accusation that he had received
sucb dispatch from Mr.. Caldwell; that it entirely
sustained the testimony OF Col. Scott, and vIndI-
Gated him (Blainel from all connection with the
bonds in question. The scene that followed this
beggars description. The tumutuous applause
which arose from the Republican side Of the House
and from the galleries, and which was
Joined in even by some of the Democrats,
entirely drowned the noise made by the Speakers
gave as for several minutes he attempted in vain TO
restore order in the House. The only scene of late
years that has approached it in intensity OF excite
ment was that caused, the 9Th of last March, by
The ELEGANT farewell speech which Mr.. Blaine made
6 10 IL
and retiring from the position of Speaker Anything
which occurred after this outburst was tame ana IN
interesting compared with it.
Mr.. Blaine followed up the advantage which he
had gained by introducing resolution ordering the
Committee to report forthwith any dispatch 1t
might have received from Caldwell, and then
welded the floor. The speeches OF fluntOn ana
Knott which followed though able and forclbly de-
lvered fell almost without effect after the exhibit
ton to which the House had been treated Mr.
Knott attempted to relieve the monotOny of bis
speech by some attempts at sarcasm and he wonld
no doubt have been effective had it not been that
the House was in no temper to appreciate what he
had to say.
ANY report or description which fails to convey an
idea of the atmosphere which filled the House OF
Representatives this afternoon must be inadequate
and unsatisfactory. Old men who are not easily
moved. those whose pOllIlCdi bJUlpdiuitS
ests are in no way identified with the success Of Mr.
Blaine, were actually carried away by the excite
ment of the hour. and, in their admiration of his
splendid bearing and powers of oratory and the
sympathy which he aroused. found themselves as
loudly applauding him as even the most devoted
and enthusiastic Of his friends Rich in intellectual
resources the ex-Speaker has been known to be
since he became prominent figure in American
politics adrot in the management of a case as he
has always proved himself, especially when his own
character has been attacked his honor reputa-
ton impugned brave, audacious he has
seemed and without the least apparent fear or hest
tatOn, he has on former occasions thrown himself
into the very midst of tide which seemed 10 have
gathered against him and to be ready TO overwhem
him. he to-day surpassed any effort he has hereto
fore made on the floor of the House, and actually
astonished his most admirng friends.
No one probably has appreciated more fully than
Mr. Blaine himself the damaging turn against him
which the Judiciary Committees investigation took
last week. While the evidence produced proved
absolutely nothing while every effort that had been
made to connect him, either directly indirectly,
with the bonds now owned by the Union Pacific
Railroad Lad utterly failed, while even MulligaD's
highly colored version of one Of the letters which
he bad brought TO Washington stopped short Of
even referring to the specific bonds about which
so much has been said and 30 much investigation
has been had Mr.. Blaine was not unmIndful Of
the damaging effect which the reports of his inter
view with Mulligan and Of the manner in which he
secured his private letters, had produced upon the
public mind but he was the last man in American
politics to surrender to his political enemies There
have been former occasions when other men have
Thought that they had succeeded in catching Mr.
Blaine and had found with surprise that they them
selves lave been caught and handled most unmerci-
fully No Que who witnessed the Credit Mobilier
investigations of 1873 will ever forget the skill
with which Blame parted every attack then made
upon him, or the pitful plight in which a Western
member of Congress who started out for Mr..
Blanes political scalp back again before that
investigation was closed.
There was. therefore, occasion for surprise
when Mr. Blaine took the floor to-day in his own
defeuse. II would have been far stranger if he had
not done it. Mr.. Blaine determined To speak a
question Of privilege late last evening. He lost no
time. Ii was not known until Saturday afternoon
that the Judiciary Committee would not itself bring
the matter before the House. and Mr. Blaine said
In his speech today, that was exactly what he de-
sired. The postponement Of the matter until Tues
day accepted by Mr.. Blaine's friends well as
by himself as an indication that the Committee