New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-06-06
,p RLAINE,S ADDRESS.

Mr.. BLAINES ADDRESS.
,,,,croy lime 5.-In the House of Repre-
..'.ns to-dav the Hon. James G. Blaine of Maine
;noto q oueston of privilege, addressed the Rouse
80 srb;ect of the investigation into the Union
p.o;Gc and Northern Pacific transactions with which
his name has been associated. His remarks ana ',o
proceedings connected Herewith are reported SUD
stantally in full as follows: no
GMr Blaine first read the resolution onereu oy III
Tarbox Dem, MASH in which the inquiry as 10 'no
In,on Pacific Railroad and the bonds OF the Ltte hoV
and Fort Smith Railroad began The author OF that resi-
,ut,on had at the time discaimed any particular son
40 him mir RaIne) disclaimer which he CMr' biaihei
regarded at the time with some Little increu'
soon became entirely obvious that INC ie' ,d
was solely and only almeu "' ' -
that the Union Pacific matter or any o'"o
-. ,h Investigation was secondary, insignificant
"a ,,,nnortont He did not complain OF mat; ne was
- .. mat a. The gentleman on whose statement
tbe accusation rested r Harrison Dem' III hau pecn
The rst man called, and had stated what he Khe" rom
,,mor then Mr. Rollins. Mr.. Morton, Mr. Mllard ana
Mr. Tbos A. Scott were examined, and their testimony
was complete and conclusive in disproof OF his tMr'
Blalpe) having had anything whatever TO do win 'he
transaction He had expected have early report IRON
the Committee bur it had been prolonGe1, ana pro
longed. ard prolonged and he had been so"c-
What surprised last week at being told the COM
mee would then turn to investigate the transactions
NJ
report that there had been some effort on his
mart with a friend in Boston to procure for him some
shares OF that Company (which effort had proved abor
tive, He had asked the gentleman from Virginia. the
chairman of the Subcommittee (Mr. Hunton, DEM
under what authority he proposed to make that inves
cation md had been told that the authority was resO
linton offered by Mr. Luttrel Dem CALI on the 3ls OF
January He thought that that gentleman mr. lutreD
would be surprised find out that the first they did
nnder that resolution was bring its whole force to bear
an little transaction in Boston which had proved never
10 be transaction at ALL
INQUIRY AIMED AT Mr.. BLAINE.
Now he would say and say boldly that under these
general powers to investigate specific railroad companies
the whole INQUIRY was aimed personally at him. Why
did they not organize committee to investigate James
g. Blainei He wanted to meet the thing squareiy lie
did not wish 10 stir up any blood this question hut ne
would say that ever since certain debate took place IN
the House. in January last 1t had been known lhat 'nee
were gentlemen here whose feelings had been eXas
perated against him. and ii was to be remarked 'at
while there were Democratic members OF the Jul
dietary Committee, the Chairman Of that Commit
INT Knott Dem KY selected on the Subcommittee to
which these matters had been referred, two members
from the south who had been in the rebel army
Mr. Knott of Kentucky-ODe word
Mr. Blaine-After moment.
MI Knott-Allow me a word now
Mr. Blaine-Wel 60 on.
was referred TO the subcommittee before ever hea
your name mentioned III connection with it, had no
act or part in melting any investigation duplicating you
at all.
Mr. Blaine-Then the gentleman from Virginia Dir
Hunton) insisted under that resolution which was ohy
ousy face, limited TO the $4,000 bond transac-
ton with the Union Pacific Railroad Company. on going
into all of the affairs OF the Little Rock and Fort Smith
Railroad Company as incidental thereto, and pursued
II TO such an extent that finally had myself,
through my colleague Cir Frye, to take an aI-
neal to the full Committee. and the fun Committee
decided that the gentleman Mr. Hunon) had no right to
20 into it, But when he came back he resumed the eI
animation exactly in the same way until he was stopped
BY my colleague Mr Frye, acting not as my attorney
but as NY FRIEND and when finally the witness Null
gan came here loaded with information In regard to the
Fort Smith Railroad the gentleman tMr Huntohl are"
out what he knew had reference whatever 10 the
question under investigation and then ana there lssd
on all my private memoranda being allowed to be ex-
bibed by this Mulligan, which had no more con
nsction or relation with this investigation than with the
Forth pole The gentleman tried his best also. UNTIL
believe that idea been abandoned 10 capture and
use and control mi private correspondence.
This man had selected Of correspondence running
over great many years letters which he thought would
be peculiarly damaging to me. He came here loaded
with them. He came here for a sensation. He came
here primcd. He here that particular Grand
was advised Of it, and obtained these letters under
circumstances which have been VIGOROUSLY scattered
throughout the United States and known every
where 1 have them holding up packagel.
claim that l have the entire right to these let
ters only by natural right but on all tie precedens
and principles OF law. The who held them in his
possession held them wronguly, and the Committee
which attempted take these letters from this man for
use against proceeded wrOngfuly 1t proceeded in
the boldest and most defiant violation OF the ordinary
personal and private rights that belong TO every Aer
citizen.
WILLING TO MEET THE COMMITTEE.
am willing to meet the Judiciary Committee that
point wanted that Committee TO introduce 1t.
wanted the gentleman from Kentucky mr. KNOTT and
the gentleman from Virginia (r HuntOnl 10 introduce
that quest the floor and they did not do It.
Mr.. Krott lin his seaI-oh, moi You want TO be made
martyr OF.
Mr.. Blaine-Yes: and you did not want 1t. There Is
the difference will 90 little further and say that you
did not dare TO do 1t.
Mr. KnOtt-we will not talk about daring"
Mr.. Hamil dem. N. Jl-I rise to question Of or
der. Is the gentleman's language parliamentary.
Mr.. Blsine-Yes: entirely
e The Speaker pro TEN. tMr. Cox of EewYork in the
char)-It Is for the Chair to decide.
MI Blane-I understand that the Judiciary Committee
has abandoned that against me- there gone
forth the idea impression that because would
permit that any man Gf could prevent t, from
holding as menace my head my private correspon
dence there must be something in it most deadly and
destructive TO my reputation. would like any gentle
man on this floor land all Of them are presumed tc
be Of Affairs whose business has been varied and
whose has been large TO stand here and
cay that he is willing aud ready to have his private cor
respondence for the last ten twelve years handed
and made public Does IL imply guiltf Does 1t imply
wrong-doingt Does it imply sense Of weakness that
man wiz protect his private correspondence No, Sir
mans FIRST instinct to do it, and is the last out
rage Of any man TO violate IT,
POWER TAKE THY rprrVps ppoNf NM