The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-05-12
Hon Joe. blackburn Heard From.

In publishing from our exchanges the
REPORTS of the Starr robberies we did
not feel at liberty to erase the names o.
anY of the parties implicated, because II
would have had the appearance OF par
TALLY in publishing the news, and We
were satisfied that the innocent would
soon have opportunity to vindieate
themselves. Among other names, thai
Of Hon. Joe. Blackburn, the Democrat
ies.alwart Of Kentucky, was mentioned
This we thought strange, for our impres
sion in reading the Congressiona
Record. was that as Chairman Of the Com
mittee ON Appropriations, having the
Postoffice appropriation IN charge, ne had
led the fight against the extra allowance:
asked for by Brady and his clan, and
had denounced them with severity. BY
the following publication from Mr..
Blackburn. it will be seen that our i'm
pressions are correct, and that his pub
lie course affords priHa Jaeje evidence
that his attitude was directly the re-
verse of the unenviable one assigned him:
\. Y Herald.I
VERSAILLES, KY, April %, 18s1.-In al
editorial OF your issue of the 10th inst, /
find nv name given as enc Of the friends
and defenders III Congress of Gen. Brady,
late Second Assistant Postmaster General.
. In that article you invite an explanation
from those whom you assail. am at loss
for an explanation tor the injustice, If not
an outrage, done me. | can not think that
YOU Intentionally misrepresented me, and
vet it Is difficult TO believe that a lack OF
information is the explanation to be pleaded.
The record of Congress shows that, ~ Chair
man of the subcommittee of the Committee
on Appopriations having the Postotfice APP
preparation bill IN charge, / introduced the
resolution passed by the House directing
an investigation into the Star route man
agement; that /, as Chairman Of said
investigating committee, made the assault
upon Gen. Brady, took all the testimony
that first brought to light the abuses exist
ing, made the fight upon him from the floor
of the House, secured the adoption of :. per-
mdnenU law, as a section IN the POstothce
appropriation bill for the present fiscal year,
prohibiting extra compensation for the ex-
petition of routes beyond fifty per cent. OF
the original contract price, and during the
mouths covered by this contest there was
not a newspaper on the continent, including
the Herald, that did not comment almost
daily upon what was termed the fight be-
tween Gen. Brady and myself. BY what
process you now manage to class me with
his supporters | am at loss to divine. The
Congressional Record shows that by vote
and voice | did all in mortal power to Sc
cure the very desirable end recently obtain
ed in his removal. Your own journal has
frequently quoted from my speeches made
in the House, as the acknowledged assailant
Of Gen. Brady throughout the contest. l
trust that you will accept this, my reference
to the Record, the answer invited, and
leave the matter with you to take such
action in the premises as your sense of
Justice may prompt. The Senators and
members named in connection with myself
in the article referred to were the gentle
men with whom my fight was made, and
not one failed to act against me throughout
| am daily in receipt Of letters congratulate
ing me upon this long delayed result of the
fight made a year ago.
| am sir, respectfully, etc,
10. G. :. BLACKBURN"