The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-02

bonds which you understood went into the hands Of
the Union Pacific Railroad through Thomas A. Scott
Mr. FRyE-I will object 10 thar Will you allow me
to ask him questions lay the foundation OF
the objection which maker
The CnAiRMAS-slate your objection TO the question
first
ME FRYE-l desire show by the witness that those
letters addressed BY Mr.. Blame TO Mr.. Fisher
this witness having no right whatever 10 them they
not being his property at all took possession Of them
and brought them here 10 Washington that there is
nowhere in any OF the letters reference whatever
TO any bonds that sold 10 Caldwell TO Fisher. 10
Tom Scott or 10 the Union Pacific Railroad Company
The CHAiRMAx-If there 10 not no will answer.
have framed my question with that direct view.
Mr. BLAISE-I wish 70 ask the committee before you
go INTO the contents OF those letters 10 let mo make
my statement
The CHAIKxAx-we will give you a hearing
Mr.. BLAKE-But do not think you have right to
inject anything into tho testimony OF the witness a
this poiut What mean is that this question OF the
possession OF the letters IL one that stands alone Is
entirely independent OF every other matter Alter you
20 into IT, and have disposed OF IT, the other matter
can be quite as properly proceeded with; aud before
the witness proceeds any further should like TO mako
a statement MS TO the personal matter which he has
preached in connection with the possession OF these
letters
The CHAIRMAx-we are examining him as to those
letters do not think It Is best TO inject anything
into the testimony Ut this point
Mr. FRyg-The witness made II a matter Of privilege
by asking permission make separate statement In
reference 10 matter which had nothing 10 do with the
railroad company.
and want to make a counter statement
The CHAiRMAS-I do not want to do anything that
would put you AZ a disadvantage, Mr. Blaine; but do
not think II would to regular NJ this time.
Mr. BLAIxE-Are you going to proceed now with the
examination without allowing any explanation Of tins
statement that has been mades
The CnARxAx-That seems to mo TO be tho regular
course OF proceeding
Mr. BLAixE-lt does not strike me that It is quite
lair play do not want the impression to 30 forth TO
the world In regard 10 these letters this man has
stated II without my having an opportunity Of making
Tho CuAIRxAx-There Is no possible chance OF its
going forth the world without your having such OPP
porunity. Your statemeht SO far as can control IT,
will be before the committee IN ample time for publica
ton at the Same time rs this witness statement.
Mr. FRyR-Thcrc Is this further objection: The wit
asked to testify relative 10 the contents OF
certain letters hts letters at all He stated
ply that he thinks he tell something that was IN
them These letters his statement Is srue all in
existence and In the hands Of Mr.. Blaine. Mr..
Blame has not declined to furnish them, nor has he
int,malcd that ne will decline submit that there IL
rule OF evidence by which you interrogate this
witness relative to tho contents OF these letters until
they are shown to be the power Of tho commit
tee 10 have tho letters themselves make that as
legal objection TO asking this witness what Is In the let
tiers.
The CHAIRxAx-Your objection would possibly, in a
Of justice be well taken but u has been decided
by the iull committee that this committee il
not 1s ny the rd sSs
be true and Mr.. Blaine has the letters, then
the question asked the Is 1t answered by
the production OF the letters II Mr. Blaine contro-
vers the statement OF the witness and does not pro-
duce the letters have right 10 examine tho wit
ness about them Y order to els.t the truth. !,
existence They have not been destroyed NJ ALL II
the witness gives statement At ell as 10 the contents
You arc sesrch.ns for facts You DO not want CARRIED
facts provided you have the real facts. 10 not
any other man, but any man stating the contents Of
letters under such circumstances would be unable 10
state exactly what they contained II may be that MI
Blaine would say to you that there was not single
word in those letters, from beginning 10 end TO the
effect that Mr.. Caldwell Mr. Scott the Union Pa
chc Railroad Company ever had anything whatsoever
to 40 with any bonds which Mr.. Blaine had OF his
railroad IN Arkansas II may DO that hc would say
that there not the slightest word in letter ndi
eating, directly Indirectly, that the bonds which
you are inquirng about and the transaction
which you are seeking had anything whatever to do
with the bonds which Mr.. Blaine had OF that road.
The CHAiRMAx-rhe witness has stated that those
letters given TO Mr.. Blaine, under pledge from
Dir. Blaine tnat they should be returned to him. As
Stunning that Mr. Blame has those letters he has vio-
lated promise, and he has not offered 10 produce them
TO the committee nave asked tie witness question
the or those letters far they bear
upon the subject matter Of the resolution That Is
ectly proper. Mr.. Blaine is apprchensive that the
witness will give garbled statement nadvertantly or
otherwise, the remedy is In his own hands to produce
the letters II he declines TO produce the letters then
this evidence Is legitimate.
Mr. BLAlxs--l would prefer making d statement In
advance but II the question IL insisted upon have
objection TO It.
Mr.. FKyE-Mr Blaine may desire timo TO consider
whether he will pass the letters over 10 the committee
Tho CmAIRxAx-when Nr. Blame makes that request
from the committee It will be time enough 10 consider
Mr. BLAIsR-That would have formed part OF tho
statement which asked permission TO make
Mr. AsHk-l would suggest ths:-Tne witness has
sworn that Mr.. Blame has y memorandum which the
witness made Of tho contents OF each OF those letters
him. but has II Mr. Blaine viii producc
that memorandum the committee the committee
will only examine the witness as 10 such letters as the
memorandum Indicates TO bear upon the point under
inquiry. Mr.. Blaine can then meet witness answers
by showing the letter itself 10 the COMMITTEES. which
will not 20 the record II II ~ fornd that The memo
randum does correctly state the Of tho
letter. and tho matter viii not go any further.
Mr.. BLAME think could simplify this matter worry
much II could be allowed 10 make statement ct this
point think could aid the committee.
The CnARnAS-Mr. Blaine has had those letters
since last night and II this witness has spoken truth
he has got them under circumstances which do not
cntc him to retain them II the letters do bear upon
this question entitled TO them and n cannot
get them have right 10 provo their contents. But
all this can be obvatei by Mr. Blaine producing the
letters.
M LAwRKxcx-Mr Rlaine's statement might fur
nd reason which would show the letters were
t6t6My incompetent.
The CVAIRxAx-l do not desire 10 do anything that
have clear right TO do Nor do desire TO
omit anything that we ought 10 do. But Tor my part
do not think should change the current OF tho
Mr.. LAwRxscK-I think that any examination as to
the contents Of the letter; !. should be post.
had opportunity to reply, SO that the
committee may have opportunity to determine
Wnctner tucfc " Nnytnink w tuem Compcteut
under the resolution which authorizes TO investigate
The question which has to the circumstances
under which Mr. Blame became possessed Of these let
IL. Il were, interocutory matter, and Mr..
Baincs statement TO II can, with entire proprieiy,
DO heard at once, and think should be.
Il was decided that the examination should be
intercepted but should proceed upon the question last
put, which was rend as follows
Q. want you to state anything In those letters
which bears upon your testimony oil yesterday con-
corning Little Rock aud Fort Smith Railroad bonds
which you understand went into the hands Of
rrnsr D,.s Vail ham A
Scott. A. In my testimony yesterday was
asked II had any other testimony than what
Mr. Atkins had said about these bonds and said yes
that Mr. Blaine had acknowledged Il himself IN letter
Mr. Fisher had been writing 10 Mr.. Blame for some
time about settlement, and Mr. Blaine always urged
about back bonds due him COM
missions the sale Of bonds, and saying
that he was very short Of money and had lost
considerable by this transaction, and that he would
have TO take up these bonds from parties who had
them that be had taken thcm up. Mr. Fisher wrote
him back that be Mr. Blaine had not lost any money,
because he lMr. Fisher knew where he had sold
the bonds and got this largo amount Of money Tor
them.
Y What large amount A. These s64, 600; Mr..