The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-06-21
Senator Morton's Attack Upon MIR.
Blaine.

senator MortOn's Attack Upon NH.
Blaine.
"And we will say that Morton was the
author of the vehement attack thai has been
made upon Blsine."-Cincinnati ENQUIRER.
is utterly untrue Senator Morton has had no
more TO 90 vii n originating or Inspiring the
attack on Blaine than you did with that on
Pendleton.
The foregoing paragraph of the Journal
contains general and rather ill-natured
denial OF that copied from the ENQUIRER.
The Enquirer charges that the attack made
by John c. S. Harrison upon Mr.. Blaine
was made in the interest OF Senator Nor
ton, and prompted and supported by him.
Although it is of no great Importance to
the public whether this charge be true
or false, yet it is a matter of some
interest to see how the organ
OF Senator Morton, in his favor, ignores
the most conclusive evidence ever brought
forward in support OF a proposition, when
bis interest requires it. For the purpose OF
illustrating this tendency of the organ we
propose briefly to examine the evidence
tsIding to establish Senator Morton's par
ticipstion In the attack upon Mr.. Blaine.
In order to do this intelligibly, let it be
remembered that the proposition to be
proved against Senator Morton is this,
nsmely:. Senator Norton prompted and
supported the attack upon Mr.. Blaine.
This proposition is either true or false.
We affirm that, in the light of all the cir
cumstsnces surrounding the attack upon
Mr.. Blaine. it is true. 1. Who is Mr.. Hsr-
hiss been Tor many years one of the Sen
ator's bankers. His financial manager
and stakeholder. He keeps the Senator's
private box which is said to be visited by
that gentleman twice every year for some
mysterious purpose. 1t is said also that
when in 1872 the Senator had some 81, OOe
designed for political purposes in bis pos
session, he deposited it with Mr.. Harrison,
and that the money was employed In the
interest of the Senator rather than of his
party. bn other words, those who know
have been heard to complain that in the
use of this money he made the Interests OF
his party subsidiary to his own. No mat
ter how the money was expended, Mr..
Harrison was undoubtedly its custodian.
q In view of their relations and conf
dence, Senator Morton no doubt made Mr..
Harrison a director on behalf of the
government ofthe Union Pacific Railroad
Company. What else, indeed, but
personal relations could have prompted
such an appointment; for what knowl-
edge had Mr.. Harrison of railroads
and their management that should have
raised him to the position, while such men
as Gen. Morris, David G. Brsnham and
Horace Scott were overlooked and ig-
nored? He had never been engaged In
any way in the conduct of railroads; and
no one ever accused him OF being guilty of
any general knowledge ofaffsirs that even
tended to fit him for the supervision of
such complicated and important interests.
He knew, indeed, aud it is about all we
have ever heard him seriously accused of
knowing, that money loaned at 20 per
cent. per snnum upon good Sc
curity, is a fair investment. But
then, others, not remarkable for their
Such information was at best but a
sorry preparation for the manage
ment OF the Union Pacific rail-
road. In truth, however, be was
not chosen on the ground of any peculiar
fitness for the position. Senator Morton's
appointments all stand in other reasons
personal friendship, fealty, vassalage to
the chief, Willingness to do and be all things
that may in any wise advance his in
terests, are the foundations OF bis conf
dence and the grounds of his favor. No
one that knows Mr.. Harrison ever ques.
nor his right 10 such rewards. In truth he
has long been one OF that following which
has made Senator Morton's elevation to
the presidency q thing dreaded almost as
much by honest, intelligent men who know
him as that of any OF those who have
been shown by investigation to be uuwor-
thy of public confidence; and, therefore.
uufis to be elected to the highest Office in
the gilt of the people.
Such considerations rquestionablY led
to the appointment OF Mr.. Harrison. That
he was unfit for the position became MAJ
ifest nearly as soon as he entered upon the
discharge OF his duties. The very first
step taken by him, in reference to the facts
upon which he iouuds his charge against
MIR. Blaine, proves his unfitpess; for he
says that as soon as he discovered the
transaction in which s64 900 were paid fer
certain Fort Smith and Lutte Rock bonds
he intro duced a resolution before the
baard OF directors, designed TO ascer' AIN the
character of that transaction, but tina
upon a bare suggestion that for him
TO press the solution would be to defeat
Mr.. Blsine's election, ne withdrew 1t. One
would have thought that such a sugges-
ton would have been sufficient to stimu-
ls,e the energy of any honest director In