The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-19
Blame in Everything.

No man who has figured conspicuously
in the violent politics of the last twelve
years, appears to have improved the OPP
portunlties offered by the yenal aud vi
rious legislation of the Republican party
better than JAMES G. BLAINE, who for half
of that time was Speaker Of the House of
Representatives. Smart, tricky, quick,
nudacious, and INSCRIPTIONS, he made him
Eef during his Speakership absolute mas
ter OF the House. Having the appoint
ment Of all the committees, he assigned
his peculiar friends to the important
places, and thus may he said to have held
the reius Of legislation in his own hands.
lie controlled the minority by selecting rs
ITS leaders such weak or mercenary Dem
Ocrats US were willing TO obey his dictaton.
mud TO make terms for themselves by a
sacrifice Of their political trusts and their
Dersonal independence.
IIo introduced new rules and practices
mud absorbed II power never assumed
by or yielded 10 any former Speaker.
No member who had "A scheme TO pro-
pose or an inquiry to make, could be re-
"oenzcd until he fist consulted Mr.
BLAIsE, and obtained his consent. In this
way. he not only became familiar with
rvciy project OF the lobby, with the plans
If the enormous land grants, with the de-
Signs Of reconstruction, and the brood of
corrupt measures which disgrace the
hiatutr book during tLat period, but he
made 1t the interest of all their advocates
10 couciiiate him personally, and to sus-
lain all his arbitrary rulings in the chair.
By these means he had knowledge Of the
uu1 indy iluuI nm ~ la
party. aud had u curb bit III the mouth of
'NeiV leader and conspicuous member of
rhc House. The rank and file had to sub
,ait, toe pushed aside, or DO oxcomInuni-
,atcd as disloyal; many who were really
or"st had no alternative but enforced
obedience or political exile He established
dcspotism ia which there was no tolera-
Ton # opposing opinion, ana 10 POSSIBLE
liy of appeal.
'.onl this inside information and inn
ri'nse authority, with native shrewdness
\ ut.hzc both TO his own advantage, il re-
rf..roc no great skill for Mr.. BLAINE 10 call
IL "ih. Corr'nNS' aud others OF his pecul-
i.r isread., aud tell them where to put
iaCir money 10 do the most good to all
roucrtn,d, on the one hand, ana TO advise
i.r Ring chiefs and representatives,, on the
Utcf, thai they were " capitalists" " no
ru'n, by all means 10 be proptiated.
Goth sides soon understood ench other.
ruc Senate was easily controlled in this
rt OF jnbbing legislation. Proportions
.r't 10 the House, there was more vennl-
$ in Lat body han in the other The i'm
ou-n price. pa.d for seats is n proof of the
i.nc', winch they Offered OF remuneiu-
fnl.
Nr.r esther allowed n share Of the spells
ioa tie scheme was big enough 10 afford
rhulpu, or they were notified to keep
"l "c- of, ou penalty OF having their
l"t r.is u fcHtci in me House. Thus u
l.l,. t.v u.i SO. Established between the
81. D. a'.u managers IN both Houses aud
Be- .a .qg u,e followed the sudden
'ith of SCORES OF men who had gone to
N,..a,l'.-t Pa upelN
ssNiAAtN trlIAX aud the "pious"
tA.,''s OF whom hr was the type aud the
'.+'l, nlicd ia' a. uochtts with bonds. scrlD,
% .rtcnbaohs, Whine they were shaking
..N- WlilI "oul colored brothcr.' whose
l.D.i earnings they stole out Of the Freed
l.4 Bank. and occurring before the
-'uu@ Mems Christian Association at
..i.n-,ou BLAINE did not do his BUSH
49, .u .d. way lie did moi set up for "a
6" i.H hn. rather the reverse, and he
t.er.INeo ,Ao loLFAX smile.
Il, 40 Discussions have brought to light
ul> so. ton Of Nh. BLAINH's dealings in
N.ADn. r..lloud nuuda and shares that de-
IV'd thc.r Whole value from the lands aud
honey granted them by Congress. during
Ga tale Of A.a eouucctiou with the House.
I ~ f, ,,,,5... 90.