Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-29
ME-. BIaine's Explanation.

Mr.. Blaine's statement in regard TO the
inquiries concerning the letters In the New
York Sun is as follows:
Some six or seven years ago some friends
investment in the Northern Pacific enter
prise, and as the Vice President of the road,
hon. X ID. Rice, was near neighbor OF
mine In Augusta, 1t was thought l might
find out where and how the purchase could
be made. In one or two Instances heard OF
interests being for sale, but nothing was
done. Finally, in the autumn of $50, a
definite interest was for sale, and it was
brought to my attention with very glowing
and extravagant accounts of its prospective
profits. AS IL was a road chartered by Con-
kress, drawing its franchises and grants
directly from Congress, and liable at any
time to apply 10 Congress for future favors,
Ga not myself entertain for moment the
idea OF becoming interested in il, but as these
friends had been wishing such an invest.
ment, and as they had the same right that
any DINER private citizen had TO Invest in
the enterprise, communicated the facts 10
them precisely as they had been given TO
me. few days after / was notified that
they would be glad to purchase, and certi-
hcate oil deposit or cashiers check for twen-
ty'hve thousand dollars was placed In my
hands sin trust" as the receipt shows 10
hand over TO the person proposing TO sell,
VINO IN due time will dOu btless speak for
himself. The certificate was to be taken in
the name OF Elisha Atkins, one of the most
prominent and honorable merchants In Bos-
ton. 1t was soon found, however, that the
North Pacific interest was in some way
pledged or hypothecated or embarrass I'd as
10 the Title, and the matter ran along for
The money in full with interest was re-
turned TO Mr.. Warren Fisher, with whom
the negotiation was had, and the holder OF
the North Pacific interest retained it or pos
sloIy found another purchaser, of which /
know nothing. This is simply the whole OF
the transaction, out of which a sensation is
attempted by the Sun. My connection with
it was purely of a friendly character. had
not the remOtest interest in 1t in any shape
or form, and no intention or understanding
that / should become interested in il. Toe
transaction was, OF course, regarded by me
as In every way proper; otherwise, should
most certainly never have received and
Teceipted for the money TO hold In trust until
the transaction should be consummatet be-
tween the parties. 81 ann very glad, ;" con-
unued Mr.. Blaine, " that my letter which
the sun publishes proves on its face that
would not myself touch the investment. /
could easily have purchased IL had / been
willing, but did not deem such investment
advisable for me TO make. From first to
iast IN all the legislation touching the
Pacific railroads, l never had an Interest of
penny In one of them, nor in any OF their
hrsncnes, directly or indirectly. In a private
guardedly, and this letter. written with no
expectation OF its ever being published,
proves conclusively that when Pacific
railroad interest was offered me, with bril-
liant promises OF great profits, declared
that Il could not touch IT. think the Sun,
In publishing this private letter. has sup,
In the matter
sAll these attacks" resumed Mr.. Blaine,
after short pause, ''are intended 10 Inn
press people with the belief that have large
wealth, and that IL has been acquires since
entered Congress. The moderate property
which / own was almost wholly derived
from fortunate investment in coal lands
n my native MOnongahela valley, in west
ern Pennsy lvania, made some years before
1rst ran for Congress. notice many papers,
whose editors never saw me and know
nothing of nay affairs, glibly put my prop
erty down at round million. The utmost
my property would bring TO day would not
amount to a fifth part of that sum. can
lay with the strictest truth that, all things
cons idered, am not as well Off pecuniarily
as l was the day / entered Congress, in De.
cember, 1863. Had / not remained in Con-
gIess would To- day, In my Judgment, have
had a large fortune, as business enterprises
which were at my command, if could have
attended to them, resulted most favorably
But every friend knows that neither nv in
come nor my expenditures nor my habits of
HE imply or suggest the possession of a for
tune or OF anything, indeed, beyond a mod.
crate competency"