Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-04-27
Exciting Scene.

WASHINGTON, April 27.-During the in
vesligation before the Foreign Affairs Com
mittee to-day. Mr.. Blaine, who was being
cross-examined, preiaced his testimony with
Il statement in which he said:
Mr.. Belmont has made two palpabe mis-
quotations and has made an explanation of
them, when us 4 gentleman, as understand
him to he, he ought TO state frankly that he
did il.
Mr. Blaine. who had been standing and
speaking with Il good deal Of excitement,
here took his seat, and Mr. Belmont jumped
from his chair, but before he could reply the
Chairman broke in and urged that the ex-
animation be conducted in his own way,
with propriety on both sides.
Mr.. Belmont: OF course, Mr.. Rlaine's OBJ
.jcct Is plain enough. that is to avoid the
direct issue
Mr.. Blaine lrisng anu striking the table
angrily with his clenchcd hand: What
issue?
Mr., Belmont: The issue which must be
met.
Mr.. Blaine: What issue?
Mr.. Belmont ialSo rising angrily and strik-
ing the table,: | will not answer single
question that you ask from this time TO the
end OF the examination. You have stated
what deem to he entirely incorrect You
have attempted to place me in false posi-
ton. In this YOU will not succeed am
relieved Of my intention to treat You as 4
man who had held the Office of Secretary of
State. You have placed yourself on Il level
with any other witness, and will examine
YOU as such.
Mr.. Blaine (angrily:) What do youmean?
Mr.. Belmont mean this--that YOU have
been before committees before this time
You have cndeavored to threaten.
Mr.. Blaine This is intolerable. The inso
lence of this young man is intolerablc.
MIR. Belmont b: You have brought it on
yourself
Il nave nomore regard for your iisolencc,"
retortcd Mr.. Blaine, ''than have for that
of a boy on the street."
Mr.. Blaine: In a disguised tonc:) This
is to trit1ng. [ hope the committee will
protect itself have no power
At the close Of Mr.. Bclmont's cross exam
nation most exciting and unusual scene
occurred i'll the Foreign Affairs Committee
room. MIR. Blaine, stated that as Mr.. Bel
mont after being warned on Monday had
persisted in entirely misquoting his dispatch
es, and putting upon them construc-
tons utterly foreign, he was compelled to
change his opinion Of him which had here
totnre been that he was gctlcmcn. An ex-
citing colloquy ensued which the committee
We're unable to interrupt
Mr.. Belmont intimated that he would deal
with Mr.. Blaine in private and followed it
up with the words II believe you are Il hui
~ and coward.
Mr.. Blaine addressing the Committee and
ignoring MIR. Belmont, replied Mr.. Chair
man, this young man has disgraced himself
He has been put forward by those who are
Denind him to insult, but he is incapable of
doing So.
The scene was amost remarkable one, not
outstanding the efforts Of the Chairman to
smooth the troubled waters and obyiatc the
necessity for any misunderstanding.
The impression prevailed ut the adjourn
mcnt or the meeting that the dispute had
by no means ended. 1t is the subject of
comment upon all sides this afternoon.
When Mr. Belmont stated that he had. no
further questions to ask, Mr.. Blaine, rising,
said: Il have no desire to renew any diff
Guilty with Mr.. Belmont, | confess | lost nv
temper little and apologized to the com
millce tor It, but must say this much:
have always thought Mr.. Belmont gentle
man and have treated him rs such, hut if he
leaves this committee without acknowledge
ing hat he made 4 mistake and misuuotcd
me must change my opinion of him"
Mr.. Belmont insisted that Mr. Blaine had
been in fault in charging him with misuse of
4 quotation mark.
Mr.. Blaine: shall no, ,Sc any unlarlia-
mentary language, but most alphabetically
state that Mr.. Belmont has there stated
what is moi a truthful version of nv dis
patch.
Mr.. Wilson (deprecatinglyl: Mr.. Chair
man, this must stop.
Mr.. Belmont tangrilyJ: This is my affair
entirely. Wait a moment. Then, address
ing Mr.. Blaine: The Interpretation | have
put upon your dispatch is the correct one.
AS TO your final statement, don't propose
that the press or country shall comment
upon my method of answering your remark.
That will do in private ishaking his finger
suggestivcly.I
Mr.. Blaine with some show Of anger,
called the attention of the committee TO the
fact that his dispatches had been misquoted
and again repeated the term untruthfll.
Mr. Belmont Shaking his finger at Mr. Blaincl
This is the last word propose to have be.
licvc You are bully and coward.
Mr. Blaine empetuously addressing the chair
lnan>-This man has disgraced himself He has
spoken for those who are behind him He has
been put here to insult me, but he cannot do 20.