The sun., 1882-03-19
Mr.. Morton Attempts to Explain.

1t begins to hook as II the discussion Of the
MORTON contract with the Credit Industriel
would have the effect of disclosing the mo-
tives which have actuated some OF our es-
teemed contemporaries in assisting to expose
the Peruvian scandals. The charge that the
attack on Mr.. BLANEs management OF the
State Department has been made in the in
terest of the Stalwart faction of the Republi-
can party is one that independent and
disinterested journals will repudiate by
acts as well as by professions. For our
own part, we do not propose to cor fine our
strictures to the performances of the late
Secretary OF State and his appointee, Gen.
HURLBUT but, ON the contrary, we shall de-
bounce with equal freedom the detrimental
or disgraceful proceedings OF any public
officer, no matter to what faction or what
party he may belong. We are led to make
these remarks by observing that certain
newspapers which have arraigned Mr.
BLAINE with persistent rancor declare the
tardy and weak apology now offered by Min
lister MORTON for a discreditable action
prompt, conclusive and satisfactory"
Let US see with what promptitude this at
tempt to justify the MORTON contract was
made. The curious agreement between the
firm OF MORTON, BLISS & Co. and the Credit
lndustriel was made public in the Boston
Advertiser on Feb. 81, and three days after
ward, viz, on Feb. "a, the House of Repre-
sentatlves, justly scandaliZed at the dis
closure directed an immediate investigation
OF the transaction. Two weeks elapsed, yet,
although the cables were then working quite
as efficiently as they are to-day, Mr.. MORTON
did not vOuchsafe a word of explanation
or apology. while his friends on this side Of
the Atlantic maintained an equally remark
able silence. Accordingly, on March 6 the
ctate Department found itself constrained
to rap Minister MOTION over the knuckles.
and recall by telegram his attention TO the
grave imputation on his official conduct
Even then the senior partner of the firm of
MoRToN BLISS j. Co. required nine days in
which to produce an explanation Of his guano
contract, and it was not till March 10 that he
forwarded by cable the defence OF that trans
action, which he should have telegraphed
three weeks before.
In the letter addressed by Mr.. MORTON to
the State Department, and OF which Mr..
FRELISGHUYsEN says, under date OF March
10, that 1t was "just received )" the following
points are made, with the view of justifying
the contract with the Credit Industriel We
take them up in their logical order: l. "Au
the prelimiuaries OF the agreement were
made by Alr, GEORGE BLISS during Mr.. NOR
TONS absence, anG before the latter's depart
ure for his present post" II. The transac-
tion was legitimate and normal, belonging to
"a class Oi business carried on by the firm
for many years" LII. Mr.. MORTON denies
having had my " Intimation of any personal
Or official action being expected Of him in
connection with the affairs Of Chill
or Peru, or the relations of either
country with the Government OF the
United State OF France" Nor has he ever
had any "Oiiic,al or unofficial commune
eaton with any person serving officially the
United states or the French Government in
regard 10 tn" relations Of Chill or Peru, except
-" conversation on Aug 10 with President
HREVY,' which was reported at the time to
I'll" stat" Department., aud will hr found on
I!ge 5yG of the oilicia! compilation laid be-
lore Congress. Finally, Mr.. NuRroS protests
that II has never ruterod into his mind that
II would DE possible to use, or attempt to
u'e, his oill'1ul position AS Minister 10 fur
ther IN" objects Of the" agreement with the
Credit lndustre which, for some reason not
apparent, Mr.. MORTON now refers To ns the
Lk contract
The hst plea above adduced may be dis