The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-04-28
W0RDY WARRIORS.
An Exciting Verbal Contest Springs up
in the Rooms of the Committee
on Foreign Relations
Between
The "Plumed Knight" and Belmont,
Of New York, in which Personall.
ties are Exchanged.
A Very Decided Difference of Opinion
as to what Constitutes "a Gen.
tleman."
Belmont Angry, Blaine Disguised and
the Committee Scandalizcd.
Stump Speeches in Form of, Questions
and Answers.
Other Foreign and Domestic News.
Other Foreign and Domestic News.


Blaine and Belmont.
WASHINGTON, April 27-At the close of
Belmonts cross-eXamination of Blaine, a
most exciting scene occurred in the foreign
affairs committee room. Blaine stated that
as Belmont. after being warned on Mon
day, had persisted in msquoting his dis
patches and putting upon them construc-
tions utterly foreign, he was compelled to
change his opinion of him, which had been
that he was gentleman. An
exciting colloquy occurred, which
the committee soon were una
BILE to interrupt. Belmont intmated
that he would deal with Blaine in private
and followed this up with the words: IL
believe you are bully and a coward
Blaine addressed the committee and gnor-
ing Belmont, said: "Mr Chairman, the
young man has disgraced himself. He has
been put forward by those who are behind
him to insult me, but he is incapable of
doing So" The scene was n remarkable
one, Notwithstanding the efforts of the
chairman to smooth the troubled waterand
obviate the necessity for misunderstand-
ing. The impression prevailed at the ad.
journment of meeting that the dispute had
by no means ended. 1t is the subject of
comment on all sides this afternoon.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
When the foreign affairs committee as
sembled to-day Blaine and Belmont gave
evidence from their manner and express
sions OF countenance that they were pre-
pared for an unfriendIy encounter. BEL
mont first presented a copy of Evarts' re-
port to congress on the Landrean claim,
which Blaine said yesterday omitted the
word unofficial" The referring to Secre.
tary F1sh's letter of instruction to our then
minister to Peru upon this same
claim.and Secretary Fish's qualification of
his instructions at the time with the word
unofficial, B." is at the root of the present
difficulty between Blaine and Belmont.
Belmont constituting Blaines omission to
thus qualify his dispatch. to Hurbut to
signify that official pressure upon Peru in
iavor,o the Peruvian company was con-
templated. Blaine began to read Evarts'
IgI,er' hjm onS Then s,.,sd Belmont ,n, stopped
had chosen to read portion of
letter which did not contain the disputed
word. Blaine said: "Yes; Evarts uses the
word in one place and omits it in another,
showing Its utter inconsequentiality BE.
fore Belmont could proceed, Blaine said he
desired to make statement, and said Bel
mont exhausted two hours of time of the
committee yesterday in travelling in circle,
He repeated questions six or eight or ten
tunes over the same course. He had the
right, but it is AL based on the
fact that he made two misquotations,
absolute palpable misquotations, and this
course of his is to establish
ms Justllication in doing what he has not
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 itera.
tion and reiteration of some questions in
order to vindcate Belmont Tor having
made the biunder to misquote me i'm two
particulars, is little too eyhaustinp.
lie has made two palpable misquotations
and has made no explanation of them
when as gentleman, as understood him
to be, he ought TO state frankly that did =
blaine, who had been standing and speak.
ing with good deal of excitement, here
took his seat and Belmont Jumped from
his chair, but before he could reply the
chairman broke in and said: ~ desire to
say that the chairman representing the
committee is reluctant to put any restric.
tions on the course and conduct of the OK.
animation. Mr., Belmont insists on his
right to examine in his own way
| have no doubt that Mr.. Blaine will
exercise the virtue Of patience and | pre-.
sumo that in pursuing that course we shall
have the finished examination much
sooner than If we we're to restrio. either
witness or examiner"
Belmont-"Of cor;se Blaine's object Is
plain enough, that is, to avoid the direct
issue.h
Blaine-Rsing and striking the table
ansrily with his cleuched hands)-"What
issue?'
Belmont-"Ths issue, which must be
met"
Blaine-"What issue ?n
Belmont-(Also rising angrily and strik-
ing the table)-"l will not answer n single
question that you ask from this time TO the
end OF the examination, You have stated
what deem to be entirely incorrect. You
have attempted TO place me In false posi-.
tion. In this you will not succeed lsaid
that the quotation mark was q mistake,
that the press marks were mistake of
printer and your language bears the con.
struction put upon 1t. The careful reader
will agree with me and the careless reader
may be influenced by your speech"
Blaine Unterrupting)-"Which you are
now trying to copy
thing that / considered improper. The
commencement of this examination tins
morning relieves me of all consideration
which | mentioned yesterday which | in.
tended TO observe to man who had held
the Office of secretary of state. You have
placed yourself on level with any other
witness, and will examine you as such -
blaine tangrily)-"What do you mean pn
Belmont-"l mean this that you have
heen before committees before this time
You have endeavored TO threaten"
Wilson, interrupting-"I submit this Is
not In ORDER
Blaine-"This Is intolcrable-the inso.
lence Of this young man Is intolerable.n
Bclmont-"fou have brought II on your.
self.n
al have no more regard for your inso.
lence," retorted Blaine, than for boys OF
ten
Belmont-"Blaine has had due experi.
ence before committees and he has endeav.
ored to threaten them. lie has done II lots
OF times. He will not do II TO me. '
Blaine lin disgustcd tone)--"This Is
too tritlins. hope that that the commit
tee itself will protect itself. have no
power" =
Chairman williams finally restored a
measure Of quiet when Belmont pro.
pounded q question: ibid your resolution
of the house Of representatives 10
which you have referred simpIv