New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-27

replying with patience for some time was led
TO characterize his course as the merest nom
senscal hypercriticism." lie said that he had
not gone further in the Landreau affair than
Secretary Fish had gone.
PERRY BELMONT AS AN INVESTIGATOR.
WASHINGTON, April 26.-Mr. Blaine made two
important statements Ak the opening Of his testi-
mony before the Foreign Affairs Committee this
morning. lie described to the committee the care
with which General Garfield habitualy recorded in
his diary the important events OF the day, and said
he had caused the diary to be searched for the period
under consideration. and there not in it SIM
gle mention Of the Peruvian Company, Shipherd, or
the Cochet claim He regarded this evidence as
conclusive in It's way, touching Shepherds story Of
decision by Garfield the claims of The Peruvian
Company. He also stated in the most positive man.
ner that no step of importance respecting South
American matters was taken during the Presidents
illness, which is shown by the dates of the cor
respondencc, and no such step had ever been taken
any foreign question without the full knowledge
and authority of either President Garfield Presi-
dent Arthur flc also displayed t. the committee
the rginal of the famous revoked dispatch to Mr.
Jrescot which he was charged by the rabid anti.
Blaine newspaper, with having amended and en-
larged without the Presidents knowledge. He
showed and read to the committee the corrections
which were made. most of them at tue suggestion
of President Arthur when it was read 10 him.
This document has been fully described in THE
TRIBUNE Mr. Blaine put it officially on record to-
day. and with his testimony 1t puts the anti-Blaine
newspapers if no one else, III an embarrassing pO-
stiOn. President Arthur thus becomes Mr.. Balne's
own witness of the truth of his assertion that the
instructions given to Mr. Trescot were the exact IN
structions which President Arthur heard read and
approved. Mr. Blaine expressly acquitted the Pres
ident of all share in the current Misrepresentation
ou this point Que of tie corrections led Mr.. Blaine
into passing description Of the present standing OF
our Government in South America. which he later
On called Government that seems to DO afraid TO
go out over night. That will hardly be soothing 20
American pride.
At he close OF this Mr.. Blaine expressed desire
TO be questioned by any member any point on
which lie might desire information. No one mani
tested any such wish, either of the Republican or
Democratic members except Mr. Belmont ALI the
members of the committee with this exception,
have appeared to find Mr.. Blaine's statement
throughout ample and satisfactory. But Mr. Bel
mont Was armed with set OF written questions.
from which he proceeded to read, Mr.. Blaine an
swering promptly and freely. The scene that fol-
lowed for an hour and more is which il
IS difficult to describe it really was
without the risk of seeming immOdcrate. Mr.. Bel
mont has an unfortunate manner perhaps he does
not know how unfortunate 1t IS. HIS face runs
somewhat to point, and from protruding upper
lip there stands ont stiff moustache. giving a.
whole an expression of habtual periuess to say
impertinence, for which he is perhaps not response
BILE 1t served, however, to heghten the popularity
of his manner, for which he responsible. To see
this young man, who only by the grace of large
bank account has been made member of Congress,
who has had 10 public experience, and who,
as the examination showed has not an over
supply Of general information, sitting IN his
chair with his head thrown back, and trying TO
bully and browbeat a man who has been twenty
years in the front of public life, and who is prob
ably the most popular man OF either party in
America to-day, was "A spectacle that wassomctimes
ludicrous aud ometmes unpleasant. Mr. Blaine
was nor guilty of any eSaggeratOn when he fnti-
mated that Mr.. Belmont was conducting the exam
ination as if it were III police court.
Mr. Belmont seemed to have some ignorant idea
that 1t was Ill bis power rs member OF the COM
tee 10 cut oil Mr. Blane's answers III the middle,
and try to bully him as lawyers sometimes bully
witnesses into giving categorical answers. Ills
manner in doing this SO ill-brci and dIsrespect
ful at times that the spectators exchanged locks
OF surprise, and at one point Mr Blaine
was himself uTltatcu mo temporary JOSS Oh
equaninty. 1t Is in The power Of any man to make
himself offensive to Il gentleman and that feat If
Sir. Belmont considers it such, achieved by him
today At specially insolent attempt 10 inter
rupt one OF his answers, fol lowing series of such
attempts, Mr. Blaine turned a little pale and his
hands tremblcd for moment with anger. Mr.. Will
son, of West Virginia, member OF tho committee,
who has seemed to show personal interest in Mr.
Belmont II young and new member, and
whose relations with him have been obviously
friendly, turned to him, aud said in low buti Pc
remptory tone that he must allow Mr. Blaine to
explain. This seemed to penetrate the tough epi-
derlnis Of he examiner. He bluShed and allowed
Mr. Blaine, who had recovered his equanimity a.
soon as he had lost 1t, 10 finish his answer.
Mr. Bclmonts insensibility TO the frequent laugh
ter at his expense from the spectators and tho COM
lnittee won him certain kind of Jdmiratlon. He
af Ina -