The Republican journal., 1882-05-04
The Blaine Affair.
HOW THE ATTEMPT OF 4 YOUNG LAWYER T
BADGER MIR. BLAINE CAME OUT. A DI
81 RIPTION OF THE SCENE.

HOW THE ATTEMPT OF 4 YOUNG LAWYER TO
BADGER MR.. BLAINE CAME OFT. A De
SCRIPTION OF THE SCENE
Il do not propose to make scene here in this
room or 10 make capital You may do what
YOU please. | say that you are bully and a
coward. This extraordinary language was
used by Mr.. Perry Belmont on Thursday in
closing his examination of Mr.. James e. Blaine.
and it was the climax of the most exciting scene
ever witnessed i'll committee room of the
American Congress. or perhaps in parliament
tary body any where The investigation for
the two hours which preceded had been drea-
ry enough. Mr.. Belmont'S questions had been
confined to the Landreau claim and TO the
South American policy of the Administration.
Mr. Blaine cleared himself of all blame in the
most forcibe phrase. and showed that the policy
OF the government originated by himself was in
the interests ofpeace between the South Ameri-
can republics and that it never changed that
II was not III the interests of any claim. and
that there was no hedging.
He paid glowing tribute to the late Minister
HurIbut, and said that he and Fitzpatrick We're
both lndiscreet in their zeal for the govern
ment> TO which they Were accredited He
hurled sharp invectives against the dirty dem
ocratic press" and against William Henry Hurl-
but, editor of the New York World.
The audience. packed in denSeiy crowded
room. the atmosphere of which was sitting. had
grown weary. The hour of II was about to
strike. Mr.. Belmont had folded the paper con-
tanning his long series of heterogeneous. and
the investigation was about 10 be closed for the
day, when Mr.. Blaine arose. He was very
calm. but the liStleS> manner which had charac-
tcllZed HIM for the last hour had given place to
enthusiasm. His eye kindled. his face already
flushed from the heat of the room and the IA
tlgue of the Wcarying inquiry. took deeper
color. while he begged to say one word before
the hearing ended. That word was that Mr..
Belmont had been di>ingenuous in his questio ::
hat Ind Ill,
assumption that Mr. Blaine. as Secretary Of
state, had insisted that there Shouldb be no treaty
OF peace between Peru and Chilli except after
an adudicaturc of the Landrcau claim. and that
he (Blainc) desired that Mr. Belmont should
correct his error before the investigation ended
or Mr.. Blaine should not choose to consider Mr..
Belmont gentleman.
Here foIloWeda scene of the most intense cX-
element. Belmont rose to his feet and said that
this sort of thing could not 20 on further He
htd finished his questions and wanted to Say to
MI Blaine that he considered him bully and Il
coward. and that he would hear from him Bel
mont III private. Blaine showed his impdtuOs-
NY b! his rapid talk. and As he dalled with his
cNc-gla>> he insisted that the examination should
be searching and thorough Belmont ncrvouSly
ciutchcu pen and played with it As the last
came on. and he hettled Blaine by stopping him
abruptly while Blaine persisted. The unkindcSt
cur Belmont seemed to think was when Blaine
charged him with being out of his place. disgrace
inc il. sent herr. with . mower behind him to
work ont y scheme in tbr investioarinn i,nrIv.
inr thaf h.. had money and domorrap.H hdh;nd
lin 10 mime an rX.serrntarv RIaina ,i.aIi
Himself IL mait.~ticalIy and siid that RcImont
rould NOT in.mIf him Wien Relmont retlrtaI
H.. u,o,llJ .,,, LII, ~; tb1 - IoiI; \, i, !,
.uT r"IIe R,nos fomn , ch'n@ ". cntI, anI nh
the rtIuaindsr If his testimony wax ynn lnnt.
IL. Belmont will now Jnrin, ANY, fnr,halri SAP
Vice on thr Forrirn ttfairs Cnmmittne lie
claims thai The committee ha, treated him shah-
bil1 iy not compelling Blaine to answer All His
nuc,tion. dir4rtfv aI Inc nfbnr w;tn"Ssns ba,o
been roInnplled Snvar.I Ladies war, nratn,,t
and the Scene was one of GREAT wonder ma ~.
element az 0i' anu