The Portland daily press., 1882-04-28


| where the party was not citizen. don't
| know anything of the gentlemen you have
spoken of, but If your list is correct it is prob
ably.a subject to look into.
Mr.. Walker-Don't let's go any further in
this direction or we will have another investi-
CATION upon our hands. Laughter)
Mr.. KaSson desired to know If Mr.. Belmont
had nearly concluded his examination with re-
ference to the policy of the government. He
did not desire to interrupt the gentleman, but
was outside of the resolution of inquiry. he
should ask the decision of the committee upon
it if it was to continue
Mr.. Belmont-I am nearly through. The
witness desired to be heard fully on that sub
iect.
Mr.. Blaine--Mr. Chairman: Inasmuch as
trivial matters have been picked out have
felt it but proper that the true policy OF the
government should be correctly understood in
this connection.
Mr. belmont then referred to the letter OF
instructions to Mr.. Trescott.
Mr.. Blaine-I must confess that l was
greatly surprised at the publication OF that dis
patch. I thought 1 had an understanding
with the President that the dispatch shonld
not be published until Mr.. Trescott's return
from South America. When / heard it had
been sent to the Senate L telegraphed imme-
diately to the White House and urged that it
might be withheld from the Associated Press.
That evening I sent note to the President
otdbluS NY IOdoouo why ouShs W " .eH-
held. 1t was however published, aud L be-
lieve there have been no more pernicious re-
suits from the improper publication OF State
Department dispatches than have resulted
from this. Mr.. Trescott considered his mis-
sion in South America ended, and from that
day there has been no earthly use OF ,keeping
him there.
Mr.. Belmont stated he had no further ques-
tions to ask, and Mr.. Blaine, rising, said;
"Now, Mr.. President, I must call attention to
oota nd ,hasi 70 IL bafnrQ laavn
that Mr.. Belmont, though warned on Monday
that he had misquoted my dispatches and Civ
en- them a construction never intended, and
which could in no possible manner be distort-
ed or twisted from them, he has persisted in
putting his own construction upon them. L
have no desire to renew my difficulty with Mr..
Belmont / confess l lost my temper a lit
tie, and apolologized to the committee for it,
but must say this much. have always
thought Mr. Belmont gentleman, and have
mittee without acknowledging that he made
mistake and misquoted me, must change
my opinion of him."
Mr. Belmont insisted that Mr.. Blaine had
been in fault in charging him with misuse of a
quotation mark.
Mr. Blaine-I shall not use any unparia-
mentary language, but 1 most emphatically
state that Mr.. Belmont has there stated what
is not truthful version of my dispatch:
Mr.. Belmont (angrily)-This is my affair en-
+,
have put upon your dispatch is the correct one.
At to your final statement l don't propose
that the press or the country shall comment
upon my method of answering your remark;
that will do in private Shaking his finger
suggestively).
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 untfuthful.
Mr.. Belmont Shaking his finger at Mr.
o;p ic M 1oaf ryard
have. believe you are bully and coward
Mr.. Blaine Gmpetuously addressing the
Chairmap)-This man has disgraced himself.
He has spoken for those who are behind him.
He has been put here to insult me, but he can
not do it.
Representative Wilson propounded few
questions to Blaine relative TO the policy OF the
State Department, which gave Mr.. Blai ne the
opportunity to reiterate his former stat ments
that the policy of this Government tow rds the
South American Republics had been erely
peace policy, and no step was ever taken or
thought to be taken that might in any way in
volve this Government in any trouble with any
other government.
Representative Kasson desired before the ad-
iournment of the committee to allade to the
colloquy which all must regret. He thought
the understanding of the committee was at the
commencement of the colloquy that Mr.. Blaine
in using the term "untruthfuP' meant to ina
ply that the rendering of the despatch given
DV MIR. belmont QlQ QOG trutulullH give lto
meaning, and did not intend to apply the term
Extensively to Mr.. Belmont.
gxMr. Blaine-I distinctly stated, Mr.. Chair
man, that used the word in its parliamentary
sense.
Mr.. Belmont with significant nod)-But
you remember that it is dangerous word, Mr..
Blaine.
Chairman Williams remarked, iocosely
that he regretted very much the recent occult
renee, and trusted no fatal consequences would
ensuo.
A general laugh followed this remark. in
which, however, neither Mr.. Blaine nor Mr..
Belmont Joined, and Chairman Williams
quickly added although my remark has ex-
cited merrment meant it seriously, and in no
disrespect to either of the distinguished gentle
men interested"
The committee then went into executive
session and the spectators quickly LETT the
room.
The All Absorbing Topic.
The House committee on foreign affairs will
not resume the investigation touching the
Shepherd matter until Tuesday. The scene in
the committee room this morning has been the
all absorbing topic abont the Capitol today and
served as the occason for conference late this
afternoon of members Of the committee, all
save Belmont being present. The conference
lasted about three-quarters of an hour, but the
result could not be definitely learned.