Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-04-28
BELMONT AND BLAINE.

Attempting to Examine the Latter-spicy
Proceedings In the Peruvian Company
Investjgation-A Scene in the Committee
Room-Epithsts Banded About with
Great Carelessness of Consequences.
Blaine's Examination.
MORE PROPERLY BELMoNT's ATTACHMENT.
WASHINGTON, April 27.-Before the for
eign affairs committee this morning Belmont
resumed his examipation of Blaine, but before
making much progress Blaine said: Mr.. Bel
mont exhausted two hours of the time of the
committee yesterday travelling in circle. He
repeated his questions six Or eight or ten
times over. OF course he has the right, but
it is all based on the fact that he made two
Interpretations, absolute, palpable misquota-
tons, and this course of his is TO establish his
justification in doing that He has not yet
touched upon it. While have the largest
possible stock of patience, would rather that
he come directly TO the point. There are
many important points that would like to
be heard upon, but the relteration of the same
questions in order to vindlcate Belmont for
having made blunder by misquoting in two
particulars, is little too eXhausting. He
made no explanation of them, when, as gen.
| tleman, as understand him to be, he ought
to state frankly that he did it,"
Blaine who had been standing and speaking
with good deal OF excitement here took his
seat.
Belmont jumped from his chair and said,
"Of course Blaine's object is plain enough;
| that is to avoid the direct issue.''
Blaine rising and striking the table angrily
with his clenched hand, "What issue?'
Belmont-The issue which must be met.
| Blalne-What issue?
| Belmont (alsO rising angrily and striking
| the tablet will not answer single question
| that you ask from this time TO the end
of the examination. You have stated
what deem 10 be entirely incorrect. You
| have attempted to place me in false posi-
| ton. In this you will not succeed. said
that the quotation marks were mistake OF
! the printer and your language bears the con-
| struction put upon it.
The careful reader will agree with me and
| the careless reader may be Influenced by your
| speech at the commencement OF this eXamina.
| tion. This morningl relieves me of all the
consideration / mentioned yesterday which /
intended to observe TO man who has held
the Office OF secretary of state. You have
placed yourself on footing with any other
| witness, and will examine you as SUCH
Blaine (augrily)-What do you mean?
Belmont-I mean this; that you have been
before committees before this; that you have
endeavored TO threaten
Wilson Cnterrupting)-I submit this is not
in order.
Blaine--This is intoIerable; the incidence of
this young man is intolerable.
Belmont-YOu have brought it on yourself.
81 have no more regard for your insOlence,' y
retorted Blame, ethan / have for that of boy
On the street"
Belmont-Mr Blaine has had due expert
ence before committees and he has endeavored
to threaten them; he has done it for the last
time; he will not do it to me.
Blaine-This is too trifling. l hope the
committee will protect itself. l have no
power.
After some confusion, quiet was restored
and Belmont resumed his questions.
| Belmont asked if the witness had seen the
| letter of Gen. Grant in which he said: SIT is
about time for the United States to step in.''
was very much surprised. the witness re-
piled, Eat Hurlbut's showing on the witness
stand what had supposed was private letter
| from Gen. Grant. l think 1t was on the Odd
of September that Robt Randall showed me a
letter. Ipresume it was the same letter. l
| do not believe Gen. Grant ever intended ii
should be made public"
| Belmont said that there was some doubt
| about Landreau's being an American citizen
| and referred to the letter Of instructions to
Prescott.
| Blaine-I must confess was greatly sur.
prised at the publication of that dispatch, ]
| thought had an understanding with the
| president that the dispatch should not be
| America. When l heard it had been sent to
| the senate telegraphed Immediately to the
| white house and urged that it might be with.
| held from the associated press. That evening
sent note to the president
stating my reasons why it ought
| to be withheld. It was, however,
| published, and believe there have been no
| more serious results from the improper publ
cation of state department dispatches than
have resulted from this. Prescott considered
his mission at South America ended, and from
| that day there has been no earthly use of
keeping him there.
Belmont stated he had no further questions
to ask.
ELAINE VS.. BELMONT.
At the close Of Belmont's cross-examination
Of Blaine most exciting and unusual scene
| occurred in the foreign affairs committee
room. Blaine stated that as Belmont after
| being warned on Monday had persisted in en-.
tirely misquoting his dispatches and putting
upon them construction utterly foreign, he
was compelled to change his opinion of him,
| which had heretofore been that he was gen.
tleman. An exciting colloquy ensued which
| the committee were unable to interrupt.
Belmont intimated that he could deal with
Blaine in private and followed it up with the
words, II believe you are
BULLY AND 4 COWARD
Blaine, addressing the committee aud liquor
ing Belmont, replied: "Mr. Chairman, this
young gentleman has disgraced himself He
has been put forward by those who are behind
him to insult me, but he is incapable of CO.
ing so." The scene was most remarkable
one, and Notwithstanding the efforts of the
chairman to smooth the troubled waters and
obvlate the necessity for any misunderstood
ing, the impression prevailed at the adjourn.
ment of the meeting that the dispute had by
no means ended. 1t is the subject of com.
| ment on all sides this afternoon.
The committee then went into executive
session.
A PHARISAICAL PRESBYTERIAN.