Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-06-07
BULLY FOR BLAINE
lie Busts the Democratic
Judiciary Committee.
Aud the Chairman Tries Ia
Crawl Through a
Knott Hole.

So A AAA0n 4IlC0 ~
Crawl Through q
Knott Hole.
A Worse DiscOmlitted Set than
the Confed House Never
Was Seen.
BLAINE'S COMPLETE
VINDICATlON.
WASHINGTON, June 5th.-Mr. Blaine
rising to question of privilege, add
dressed the House OH the subject of
investigation into the Pacific Rail-
road transaction involving his name,
read q resolution offered by Mr.. Tar
box, OH which inquiry as to the con-
nection of the Union Pacific Railroad |
with the bonds of the little Rock and |
TT. Smith Railroad was commenced. |
The author Of that resolution had at |
that time disclaimcd any particular
allusion to him (Blainc) disclaimer
which he (Blainc) regarded at that
time with some little incrcdulity. It
soon became entirely obvious that the
resolution was solely and only aimed
at him and that the Union Pacific
matter or any other incident to the in
vestigation, was secondary, insignifi-
cant and unimportant and he did not
complain of that; he was ready to
meet it. He said the witnesses, Har-
rison, Rollins, Morton, Willard and
Il. "A. Scott, had given conclusive
proof that the statement of his being
connected with the road was false.
Instead Of reporting, the committee
had prolonged its session and to his
surprise last week told him they
would then investigate the transac-
tons of the Northern Pacific Com
pany on newspaper report connect
ing him with the transactions in shares
in that Company, this investigation
having been nearly finished. With
out the slightest notice the Commit
tee on the Real Estate Pool entered
on the investigation specially aimed
at him and thus three investigations
were going on simultaneously and he
understood Hunton to-day that they
purposcd another about the Kansas
Pacific Company-a fifteen year old
transaction. Now why didn't they
organize committee to investigate
James q. Blaine lie wanted TO meet
the thing squarely. He did not wish
to stir up any blood on this question
but he would say that ever since
certain debate which took place in
the House in January last, it had been
known that there were gentlemen
here whose feelings had been exas-
peratcd against him, and it was to be
remarked that still there were seven
Democratic members of the Judicial
ry Committee. The Chairman of that
COMMITTEE, Mr.. Knott, had selected
on the subcommittee, to which these
matters had been referred, two MEM
bcrs from the South who had been in
the rebel army.
Mr. Knott--Onc word.
Mr., Rlaine-After a moment.
Mr.. Knott--Allow me word now.
Mr.. Blainc-Well, go on.
Mr.. Knott-Thc matter Of that rail-
road investigation was referred to
the subcommittee before l ever
heard your name mentioned in con-
nectiOn with it. l had no act or part
in melting any investigation impiica-
ting you at all.
Mr.. Blaine--Then the gentleman
from Va, OIuntom insisted under
that resolution, which was obviously
on its face limited to the $4,000 bond
transaction with the Union Pacific
Railroad Company, Oh going into all
the affairs of the Little Rock and Fort
Smith Company as identical thereto,
and pursued it to such an extent that
finally | had myself, through my col
league Mr.. Frye, to made an appeal
to the full committee. And the full
committee decided that that gentle
man (Innton) had no right to go into
it. But when he came back he re-
Isumed the examination exactly in the
same way until lie was stopped by
my colleague, Mr.. Frye, acting not as
my attorney, but as my friend, and
when finally witness Mulligan came
here, loaded with information con-
corning the Fort Smith Railroad,
llunton insisted Oh all my private
memoranda being shown.
i The gentleman also tried his best
to capture, use and control my private
correspondence. This man had Sc
lcctcd out of correspondence run
ming over a great many years, letters
which he thought would be pcculiar-
~ damaging TO me. Tic came here
loaded with them. He came here
primed. lilo came here on that par
ticular errand. l was advised Of il.
and l obtained these letters under
circumstances which have been noto-
riously scattered throughout the Uni
ted States and are known everywhere.
I have them Molding up package).
claim that ! have entire right to
these letters, not only by natural
rights but on all precedents and prin-
ciplc of law. The man who held
them in his possession, held them
Wrongfully and the committee which
attempted to take these letters from
me for use against me, proceeded
wrongfully. 1t proceeded in the bold
est and most defiant violation of Or
binary, personal and private rights
that belong to every American citizen.
am willing to meet the Judiciary
Committee on that point. wanted
that committee to introduce it. l
wanted the gentleman from Kentucky
| (knotD and the gentleman from Vir-
ginia (llmton) to introduce that
question on tho floor and they did not
do il.
| Knott Gin his seaD-Oh, no, you
want to be made a martyr of.
/ Blaine-Yes; and YOU did not
want it there's the difference. Twill
so q little farther and say that Won
did not dare to do it.
| Knott-We will not talk about dar-
ing.
Mr.. Hamilton, of N. VI rise to a
point of order. is the gcntleman's
language parliamentary
Blaine--Entircly SO.
Cox Speaker pro tenn. in the chair)
lit is for the chairman to decide,
/ Blainc-I understand the Judiciary
Committee have abandoned that issue
against me, but there has gone forth
the idea or impression that because
would not permit that man or any
man, when could prevent it, from
holding as a menace over my head,
my private correspondence, there
must be something in it most deadly
and destructive to my reputation. /
would like any gentleman Oil this floor
to stand up here and say that he is
ready and willing to have his private
correspondence for the last ten or
twelve years or more handed over
and made public. Does it imply
guilt? Does it imply wrong doing
that man will protect his private
correspondence No, sir. tits mans
first instinct to do it, and it is an out
rage on any man to violate it. speak
with all respect for this house. l
know its powers, and l trust that
respect them, but l say that this
House has no more power to order
what shall be done or what shall not
be done with my private correspond
cnce than it has to order what i shall
do with the nurture aud adMonition
of my children; not one particle
more, but am now to show these
letters, (holding them up in his hand
l thank God Almighty that am moi
Il. Il IL