Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-04-28


asked and direct answers given. l wish you
to start out in that way.
Belmont-We should have started SO in
the beginning.
Dunnell-We hsve started so now, and let
Us get along.
Belmont-I do not intend that there shall
be any false conception about this Landreau
matter. There never was case with so lit
tie foundation brought into the State De-
partment, and that has received so much
consideration there.
Dunnell inquired Of the Chairman whether
Belmont was asking question.
The Chsirman-I submit thas to the judg-
ment of the interrogation.
Dunnell-1 think the committee mas q right
to have some judgment of its own.
The Ckairman-The committee will exer-
else that right by an appeal to the sslf.respect
OF members of the committee, witness and all.
The Chair has no power to commit for con-
tempt. and would be very 10th to exercise it
if il had
Belmont addressing the Chair)-The fact
that there has been 80 much based on this re-
port of OConnor flaw officer of the State De.
partmen,) that it is important to establish
the fact that the report itself, in the opinion
of OConnor, is at present unfounded in fact.
The report says j. &. Landreau was minor,
under 1S years of age in 1857, but he nealects
to giIe his exact age. 1t appears that he &C.
quired his partnership interest 10 1859. Iu
admitting, then, that O'Connor had proved
that j. G. Landreau had acquired, even while
yet a minor, certain rights against his
brother, will Blaine tell me how O'Connor
could prove that Landresu had acquired any
rights against Peru? Will Blaine be kind
enough to answer that question now?
Blaine-Do you want to get my estimate of
the measure of CConnor's ability to prove
any given proposition?
Belmont am asking you simple ques-
tion
Blaine-Please repeat it.
Belmont-Mr. O'Connor, in his report,
says that j. G. Landresu was minor under
IS years of age in 1857. but he neglects to
give his exact age. 1t appears that he (Lan-
dreau), the pretended American citizen, of
whose naturalization there is no record, had
acquired partnership interest in 1859. The
preteaded naturalization occurred in 1867
In admitting that Mr. O'Connor had proved
that ]. G. Landreau had acquired even while
yet minor. certain rights against the brother
the brother is the original claimant, a
French citizen who appealed to his own Gov
ernment in vain. as the French Government
would have nothing to do with him-how
could MIR. OCoDnor prove that J. g. Lam
dreau had acquired rights against Peru?
Blaine (derisively II knew, Mr.. Chairman,
that it would be impossible for Mr.. Belmont
to repeat that question. It is one of those
explicit and direct questions to which / am
asked to give an answer, and / shall ask the
stenographer to read the question over again
with permission of ths committee.
The etiicisl stenographer having read the
question, Blaine made the same request of
the reporter of the Associated Press, who also
read the question.
Blaine-Now, [ am very anxious to give n
direct answer, but | don't know whether l
am to answer about Landreau's age in 1857,
or able whether he was naturalized and can
show a certificate, or about whether he was q
French citizen, or about whether O'Connor is
about TO specify an answer to that, which for
the life of me L cannot eliminate so as TO
know what it means. 1 cannot comprehend
that question.
The Chairman-I think if Blaine does not
understand The question
Blaine (interruptiug)-I confess myself alb
solutely and unconquerably unable to under
stand that question.
The Chairman-That ans Eers it. Laugh
ter
Belmont-I am perfectly willing that it
shall remain unanswered.
Blaine-I cannot, do not understand that
question.
After further questions ard answers of
similar pertinacity, Walker Ia member of the
committee) protested against any further
consumption of time in the discussion of ir-
relevant matters.
Belmont replied that much time was wasted
Yesterday in irrelevant matters on the part
OF witness, and the manner in which Blaine
came to the committee this morning relieved
him of the necessity Of treating him in any
other way than mere ordinary witness.
Blaiue-I ask nothing else than to be
treated as an ordinary witness. L suppose
YOU mean l an an extraordinary witness.
[ Laughter
Belmont-I treated you with the greatest
Difference, as man who has been Secretary
of State, aud it is not my fault
Blaine (humorouslyENot your fault that
1 was Secretary of State! Not at all.
Laughter.
Bslmont-Not my fault that you made
that very unwarranted and ridiculous
assault on me this morning. | will now go
on with my questions.
The examination then proceeded with the
usual Interruptions, and at its close q most
exciting and unusual scene occurred.
Blaine stated that as Belmont, after being
warned on Monday had persisted in entirely
misuuoting 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 then ensued, which
the committee were unable to interrupt.
Belmont intimated that he would deal
with Blaine in private, and followed it up
with the words 81 believe you are a bully
and a coward"
Blaine, addressing the committee, and
ignoring Belmont. replied: "Mr. Chairman,
this young man has disgraced himself. He
has been put forward by those who are be-
hind him to insult me, but he is incapable of
doing So"
The scene was a most remarkable one, and
the efforts of the Chairman
TO smooth the troubled waters and obviate
the necessity for any misunderstanding, an
impression prevailed az the adjournment Of
the meeting that the dispute had by no means
ended. 1t is the subject of comment on all
sides this afternoon.
Fitting Climax TO the Long Farce.
WASHINGTON, April 27sh.-The scene be,
tween Belmont and Blaine is the principal
topic of conversation at the capital The
max to the long farce, whose intention was to
injure Blaine. That he came out of it vic
tor in spite of the united efforts of his political
opponents in and out Of the party, it is only
necessary to refer to the report of the pro-
ceedings by the Associated Press to be con.
vinced. The scene, while the most exciting
of anything seen here for many months, was
rather ridiculous in many respects. Blaine is
a man of fue physique, while Belmont is a
very small, Insignificant looking man of
about 80, weighing little over 100 pounds
He is, however, an accomplished boxer and
fencer, having taken prizes in New York for
excellence in athletic accomplishments.
BIaine's Friends Pleased.
WASHINGTON, April 27th.-Blaine's friends
are highly pleased ever his course in the in
vestigating committee. 1t is felt that he has
fairly succeeded in putting his administration
of the State Department in the proper light,
an opportunity he has not before had.
The OutIawry in Arizona.
WASHINGTON. April 9th. A message
from the President to Congress this after
noon recites that great lawlessness exists in
Arizona that the Governor reports that vic
lence and lawlessness reign that robbery
and murder are common, and the citizens are
alarmed that the cowboys cause this trouble.
To suppress this, the President recommends
that the army be permitted to cooperate
with the civil authorities that soldiers be
permitted to be employed in that Territory
as posse comitatus. Referred to the Ju-
dietary Committee.
Accident nm tr,e Chicago and Alton Rail =