Daily Kennebec journal., 1876-05-30
Investigation Of the Charges
Against Mr.. Blaine.
Letter. from Eiish q
Atkins.

Washington, May 90 The sub judiciary COM
mttce to-day continued the investigation into the
S64 900 bond charge against ex-Speaker Blaine.
j. F. Mcguire of Washington, testified that in
March, 1870 he was at Fifth Avenue Hotel in
New York, with j. F. Wilson and J. c. S. IIarri-
son. Mr.. Wilson went out of the room, when
Harrison said to witness "MeguiIe, l can tell
you something that will make those fellows, Union
Pacific men. squirm.
Harrison then asked witness if he had seen some
carcature in one of the papers, regarding blaine
up tree" etc. Witness said he knew all about
that picture. When Wilson came in Harrison
said. 'Meguire knows all about Blaine" Wilson
said, "You must not say anything about that for
it will ruin Blaine and hurt the republican party
Witness said he led them to believe he knew all
about 1t. when he really knew nothing, only what
he lad just heard them say. Witness knew moth
ing whatever of his own knowledge about Mr..
Blaine's connection with these bonds Witness
saw Wilson after and asked him to explain what
he meant by saying to witness in New York that
it would ruin Blaine if the story got out. Wilson
said he only meant that if it was told and talked
about. it would become a scandal and ruin Blaine,
whether true not. Witness repeated that he had
no knowledge whatever of any connection that
Blaine had with the bonds referred to.
Danieison testified that he was contractor Of
the Little Rock & Fort Smith road, in 1870, and
received bonds as compensation for services as
contractor; did not perform any service, but sold
mis- contract out to Warren Fisher, who agreed to
pay him in 80 bonds and $l9,500 in stock. Wit
ness sold bonds and found stock worthless. He
traded some Of the bonds, and some he loaned to
a friend. Witness knows nothing whatever Of
IS bonds of that road going into the Union Pacific
Company ), and never heard of it till he read it
recently in papers, and knew nothing Of Blaine s
connection with them. Witness heard bonds
selling for 60 to 20 in 1871, and tried to sell
his for that, but told not to do it. Would not
have taken less than 80 to 40 for them any time
while he owned.
Boston, May 30. The following letter given to
the press to-nig hit explains itself:
Boston, May 90.
Hon. James G. Blaine:
MY Dear Sir-I have read the charge against
you in the New York Sun Of Saturday, concern
ing the North Pacific matter. and also your re-
ported remarks in regard thereto. 1t is due to
you that should say that considered your ac-
ton in that matter was simply from disposition
to do friendly act; that you had no pecuniary
interest whatever in the transaction, and it was
fully understood by the parties in interest that on
no account would you become personally interest.
ed in the North Pacific shares. Your conduct was
perfectly fair and honorable, and am surprised
that anyone can see anything in it to complain Of
or to criticize, as the whole transaction literally
ended without accomplishing nything, and as the
party proposing to sell the North Pacific interest
never delivered it, and those advancing money
received it back again with interest without the
slightest reduction by you for commissions or ex-
penses, it seems to me very absurd to make any
reference to it. shall give this letter to the pub
lie, as think such a statement is due you from
myself Respectfully Yours,
(Sgned) ELISHA ATKINS.
The Herald will publish, Tomorrow, report of
an interview with prominent lawyer of this city,
who acted as attorney for creditors Of Warren
Fisher Jr., contractor for building Fort Smith &
Little Rock r. r., in this nvestg ation,t TO discov
er what became of 81 0O0, 900 bonds and securities
said to have been given to Fisher. The attorney
says that he had paid to Hon. J. &. Blaine $780,
600 for no consideration whatever. That Caldwell
who acted as his agent in negotiating the securi-
ties, used great portion of them in advancing
| his own enterprises.