The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-06-07
Blaine and His Committee.


concerning the Mulligan affair, were ex-
ceedingly adroit and forcibly applied.
Attempts Of Messrs. Hunteu and Knott
were completely fanked by Blaine's
dextrous movements whereby he sue
ceeded in putting them and the Com
mittee on the defensive and showed up
their proceedings in NO very creditable
aspect. He compelled them to admit
that . cable dispatch had been received
by the Committee from Caldwell
In London, concerning which
the Committee had been pro-
doundly silent, and which as Blaine
asserts completely exonerated him from
all blame in the matter. At first Knott
was disposed to deny the receipt of any
such dispatch; and when questioned by
Blaine on she floor Of the House con-
cerning it, he gave prevaricating an
swers that showed disposition to sup
press the information. But, upon cat
egorical answer being demanded, he was
compelled to admit that such q dispatch
had been received.
This made the case look bad for the
Committee, and there was NO way to
compromise with the dilemma. A de-
dispatcn; but Mr.. Knott said he could
not produce it. having lett it at his
house. The explanatory statements did
not relieve the pinch that Blaine had
forced upon the Committee.
II is apparent that the whole matter
hasodegenerated, as between Blaine and
some members of the Committee, into a
personal contest that does not partake
Of much decency or dignity on either
side. And in this personal contest the
tested so much rancor and ill will to-
wards Blaine that any adverse report
will fail to carry with it.any great degree
OF influence. ..
Meanwhile. it is reported that the wit
ness Mulligan has said that "Blaine has
not submitted all the letters, and that he
never will" On the other hand, Mr..
Blaine, when asked by Mr.. Hale if the
.sexhibit covered every paper that came
from Mulligan ?"-answe Q promptly
s'exery solitary scrap of it,"
But whatever may be the issue of this
personal controversy, and however cor
rect the business transactions concern
ing the Arkansas bonds may have been,
land as yet there is nothing to show that
there was anything irregular or
s'crooked" In the matter) the effect OF
all this furry, occurring just ON the eve
of the assembling Of the National Con-
vention, must be very damaging to Mr..
Blaine's prospects for the nomination.
Tie more prudent and thoughtful leaders
OF the Republican party will hesitate
to accept any man under whose candi-
dacy they must necessarily take de.
fensive position. They will, in the pres.
,ent stringency of the campaign, require
a man that is not only pure but above
suspicion Of any completely with the in
famous rings that have become, and
most justly. SO odious and hateful to the
people.
or course Mr.. Blaine's retrocession
from the strong probabilities of nomina-
tion must tend to bring some other can.
didate more conspicuously to the front.
And this candidate, we think, will be
Mr.. Bristow, whose name is becoming
fasorably considered even in New Eug-
land, which was supposed to be "solid
tor Blaine." 1t is, therefore, altogether
probable that this Committee and its
contests may be instrumental in giving
the Republican nomination once more to
Western man.
----------.-. ). -.-----------