Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-29
Something New.

The Portland Argus has an enterprising
editorial writer. In an article concerning
Senator Blaine. he contrives to get in some
statements intended to be derogatory to
Mr.. Blaine, which we have never before
seen we believe in any of the democratic
papers that have made it their constant
business to SANDER him.
Possibly they may have been deferred
from pursuing the course of the Argus by
the consideration that the statements il
true are more damaging to prominent
democrats in Congress than to Mr.. Blaine,
rs they most certainly are. or because
they credited the public with more sense
than to believe them but such considera-
tons had no weight with the enterpris-
ing writer in the Argus to deter him from
speaking. Speaking of the Credit Mo-
bilier Investigation he says:
In the first place Blaine selected the Committee
selected Il to whitewash the whole batch Chris
tian Statesmen" not excepting himself aud Col
fax--apd procured Mr.. Cox TO take the chair and
announce the committe for him 10 order thus TO give
the appearance of fairness. That committee de-
cided to have the investigation secret and 10 allow
no report Of proceedings. And that course was
adhered to until the public press actually COMPEL
ed the doors TO be opened. Ii then forced out a
part of the iacts-enough to convict some of the
conspirstors But the facts duplicating Blaine
the committee avoided bringing out, and Cakes
Ames did not volunteer them, because he had
the promise of Blaine's help, so much needed in
his own case
90 As the Argus puts it it will be seen that
Mr.. Cox Of New York, leading demo-
crat. is credited with having been a SIM
pie tool Of Mr.. Blaine in an alleged dis
honest transaction. We don't pretend
TO say there are not democrats who would
Be ~ dishonest rs Mr.. Cox is represented
TO have been by the Argus. but we hard
y think Mr.. Cox is quite 50 destitute of
character as this makes him appear. Mr.
Cox Is funny and sometimes foolish 10 his
talk and manners. but he is not dog and
. rascally dog at that, as the Argus
makes him TO be. Then we are to I'M
derstood also by the language of this en-
tefprising editor that the committee APP
pointed by Mr.. Cox were knavish dogs
too. all Of them appointed to whitewash
republicans who were alleged to have
been interested in the Credit Mobilier
swindle~ II the enterprising editor
viii but refer to the remarks which Mr..
Blaine made IN the House in 1872, when
be called Mr.. Cox to the chair and de-
maaded m Investigation of the charges
made against himself in connection with
the Credit Mobiier he will fad these
words.
The charge Of bribery Of members is one Of the
grsvest that any legislative body Is ever called
upon 70 consider, aud one that demands prompt,
thorough and impartial investigation. l have
taken the hoor therefore, for the purpose OF NOV
ing that . select committee be appointed TO inves
6gste these charges and to ascertain whether they
Be true or false. Unwilling Of course to appoint
. COMMITTEES myself to investigate q charge In
which my name Is included, have called you to
the Chair TO perform that duty. have selected
you becdsse you are q political opponent. held in
kigh honor, both in the House and in the country,
and when on Saturday last advised you that
should ask this service, placed upon you but
one restriction IN appointing them, and that was.
thst il sAotld NOT contain majority Of my political
'ieads. and this request is candidiy concurred in
~ tne members OF THIS House.
In accordance with Mr.. Blaine's request
. majority Of the committee appointed
were his political opponents. The COM
mittee consisted OF five persons. two re-
publcans, two democrats, and one liber-
al. II this was a whitewashing commit
tee. 30 much the worse for the democratic |
party. for 1t was appointed by demo-
crat and the majority was opposed to Mr. |
Blaine politically. The committee exoner-
ated Mr. Blaine from all the charges
made against him, as they were bound in
honor to do after the thorough investiga-
tion which they made and finding nothing
against him. but the enterprising Argus
editor knowing all this. deliberately writes
such stuff as the above and expects his
readers TO believe it. The most of them
know better.