Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-05-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.
WASHINGTON, May 4, 1882.

w AohlN6IONs hdy r. looA'
If the intention of those who stand
behind the Shipherd investigation
was to kill off Blaine as a Republic
can leader and probable Presiden-
tial candidate they are not making
extraordinary Roadway. Nobody
appreciates this better than Mr..
Blaine himself. Nobody is more
surprised and amused at the tactics
of his enemies than Mr.. Blaine. If
they had conceived the idea of pre-
serving the Plumed Knight in the
minds of the people of the country it
would have been difficult to suggest
a more successful method than the
one adopted from the hour of Gen
eral Garfield's death. When Gar
field died Blaine felt himself over
whelmed, crashed by circumstances.
To all appearances his political
career ended in Garfeld's grave.
Undoubtedly Mr.. Blaine thought so.
A more detected and broken man
one who gave every indication of
being heartsick of the world and it's
ruined hopes and disappointment
could have scarcely been found last
October. Those who saw him daily
and caught his half-sad, half-ab-
stracted smile and nod, always felt
like saying, "Poor Blainel He's
dead and wonders what he is left on
top of earth for" The Blaine of
to-day is quite different man. In
the committee room the other day
he seemed ten years younger. His
blue eyes were full of fiery snap,
there was a healthy glow in his
usually pale cheeks, while his man
ner was round and robust as of old.
1t was an extraordinary occasion,
but it gave him the opportunity to
pose before the country to his own
honor and glory and he knew it, and
he was eager to take advantage of it
too eager, in the opinion of many.
L have seen him on the street often
of late, and he looks the same old
Blaine. His step seems to have sud
denly regained its elasticity. His
eloquent tongue and forefinger are
attained once more and he uses both
as he talks with the volubillty as OF
yore. The man who walks with
Blaine never talks. Where Blaine
is one of two Blaine is doing the
talking. while the other is the glad
listener. | have seen Blaine with
the late President Garfield often and
cannot now remember ever having
seen them in any other relation.
The soulful magnetism Of Blaine
seemed to charm the cultured Gar
field as it charms and holds every
body else. His whole body appeared
to possess the secret power OF sub
lection when he willed and 10 hold
his victim the willing slave of Gun
ming tongue. How far Garfield
might be thus moulded into Blaine
men may differ in opinion, but those
who know Blaine and who knew
Garfield we'll can have no doubts.
The enemies of Blaine, and his bit
terest enemies are of his own politi-
cal faith, accepted every act OF the
late President which pleased them
as Garlield's own, and every act OF
his administration which displeased
them they charged to Blaine's dom
nation. Without being an especial
admirer of the late President, this
much have said of his pecullaritleS
and of the situation concerning him
from a totally disinterested stand
point. As to the scene between
Blaine and Belmont in the commit
tee room it is not claimed that either
did themselves much credit. \ ct
Blaine seems most to blame for he
is an older and more experienced
man and should have had greater
dignity and self control. There is
no doubt that he was peculiarly SEN
sitive on the point pressed by Mr..
Belmont, and there is some reason
to believe that the latter correctly
interpreted the dispatch which was
the subject of inquiry.
The big whiskey men from every
one of the large cities have been
here to use their influence with the
Senators of their respective States in
favor Of the bill to extend indeti-
nitely the time in which whlSkey
can remain in bond. They have
made so much impression that they
claim majority of the Senate il
favor of passing the bin as it came
from the House. AS has been shown
very conclusively, the effect OF the
measure would be to reduce so much
the revenue of the government as te
produce serious embarrassment. The
Finance Committee will report AT
amendment extending the time IL
which whiskey can remain in bono