Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-05-03
Mr.. Blaine In Seir.Defense.

A Washington special OF the Oath to the
Chicago Inter Ocea. says of Mr.. Blaine's
explanation in the House, that it had
been carefully studied and reduced to
! writing, was SO lucid, positive and di-
rect that it cannot be twisted or tortured
into an evasion or an equivocation in any
particular Mr.. Blaine met every charge
that has been launched against him,
first with positive denial, then with the
testimony OF those who are alleged to have
been partners in his bond transactions.
There was no attempt at selT-prase, no
| accusation or counter charges, but a
calm, deliberate series of assertions and
proof that should convince and silence
the circulators of the ISLANDERS. Mr..
Blaine receives great deal of praise
from his political enemies for The iudicious
manner in which he treated the subject,
and his explanation had an excellent effect
IN every Quarter"
Mr. Blaine summed up his remarks as
follows:
Let menow, Mr.. Speaker, briefly summarize
what haze pres ented:
/. That the story of my receiving Sf4 600
or any atner SUN OF money or other thing of
value, from the Union Pacific Railroad Com
pany, directly or indirectly, or in any form, is
absolutely dlsproved by the most conclusive
To- timony
.. That nc bond Of mine was ever sold to
the Atlantic II Pacific or the Missouri Kansas
~ Texas Railroad Company ard that not a
single dollar Of money from either OF these
companies ever went 10 my profit or beneft
.. That Instead Of receiving bonds of the
Little Rock IL fort Smith Road as gratuity,
l never had one except AT the regular market
p'ice aud that Instead of making large for
tune of that Company | have incurred Sc.
we're pecuniary loss from my investment in
Its securities, which | still retain, aud out of
such Affairs as this grows the popular gossip
OF large fortunes amassed in Congress.
eau hardly expect, Mr.. Speaker, that any
statement from me will stop the work of
those who have so iudustriously circulated
these calumhies. For months past the effort
has been energetic aud continuous to spread
these stories III private circles. Emissaries
oil slahdcr have visited the editorial rooms
at leading Republican papers from Boston To
Omaha, and whispered Of revelations to
come that were too terrible even TO be spoken
III loud tones, and at last the revelations
have been made.
anu now, Mr.. Speaker, in the fourteenth
year OF not inactive service in this hail.
nave taken and have given blows. | have
no doubt said Many things in the heat of de-
bate which | would now gladly recall
have no doubt given votes which, In fuller
ilght, | would gladly change; but | have
never done anything IN my public career for
which | could be put TO the iaintest blush in
any presence, or for which | cannot answer
to my constituents, my conscience and the
great Searcher oi Hearts.
The Associated Press dispatch says:
Mr.. Balne's speech was delivered
very impressIvely from written slips, and
was listened 10 with eager attention by
every member and person within the
crowded hall. As he concluded there was
a murmur OF applause from both sides OF
the hall, and one of a group OF prominent
Democratic members having temporary
seats near the reporter exclaimed, as he
finished his assertion OF innocence. : | be.
lieve it; every word OF it, To which
Others replied, And SO do L."