Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-04-28
Mr.. Blaine and Representative Belmont
Have Battle of Words Before
Foreign Affairs Committee.
The Matter the Subject OF Much Comment
In Washington-Mr. Blaine Proceeds
With HIS Explanation ofthe
Foreign Policy.
WASHINGTON, April %.

considerable excitement.
At the close of Belmont's cross -examina-
ton a most exciting and unusual scene &C.
Cured in the foreign affairs committee
room.
Blaine stated that Belmont after being
warned, Monday, had persisted in entirely
misquoting his dispatches, and putting upon
them construction utterly foreign; he was
compelled to change his opinion Of him,
which heretofore had been that he was gem
tlemen.
/ An exciting colloquy ensued which the
committee was unable to interrupt
Belmont intimated he would deal with Mr..
Blaine in private, and followed it up with
the words believe you are bully and
coward.
Blaine addressed the committee and ignor
ing Belmont replied: Mr.. Chairman, this
Young man mas disgraced himself. He has
been put forward by those behind him TO IN
| suit me. but he is incapable of doing so.
The scene was a most remarkable one, and
notw outstanding the efforts of the chairman
| TO smooth the troubled waters, and Obvlate
the necessity of any misunderstanding, the
impression prevailed at the adjournment OF
the meeting that the dispute had no means
ended.
| Itwa the subject of comment upon all
| sides, this afternoon.
| In the foreign affairs committee today
| Belmont resumed the examination OF Blaine
with the remark: desire to call your atten-
| ton to your answer to "A question yesterday,
| in which your stated that Evans in letter Ut
instruction upon the Landreau claim omitted
the word .'official." You will please read
the letter and will find he did not omit a
word.
| Blaine in reply read from the letter and
pointed out in one case he used the word and
in another case did not, simply showing how
nconsequential was the use or disuse of the
word.
| Belmont was about to proceed when Blaine
said with much irritation that Belmont had
consumed much valuable time heretofore in
REPETITION of the same question, while he
| (witness) had great patience, he would
prefer that Belmont would come directly
to the point. The witness desired to be
heard upon various important points, but this
action of Belmont in order to vindicate him
self for having misquoted him in two par
| ticulars was little too exhausting.
| Belmont-Of course Mr.. Blaine's object
is plain enough, that is, to avert the direct
issue.
Blaine Striking the table angrily with
clencbed hand What issue.
Belmont-The issue which must be met.
| Blaine-What issue.
Belmont will not answer a single ques-
ton you ask from this time to the end of the
| the next examination. You have stated W hat
l deem entirely incorrect. You attempted
to place me in false position. In this you
will not succeed. The quotation marks were
the mistake of the printer, and your language
bears the construction put upon it. The
careful reader will agree with me, and the
careless reader may be influenced by your
speech.
After some moments confusion, the chair
man succeeded in quieting affairs, and Bel
mont resumed his questions, and asked what
rights had J. C. Landreau against Peru?
Blaine.-The gentleman on your left, ire
ferring to Representative Wilson, can tell
you more of that than |. You are finding
tault with his report upon that claim.
Representative Wilson, desire to state
that made that report of foreign affairs to
the committee and it endorsed the validity
of the Landreau claim.
Belmont insisted he was not finding fault
with the report, but wanted proper answer to
his questions.
Blaine by his uuwarranted attack on him
(Belmont) this morning, had relieved him
from treating him other than he would an or
binary witness.
Blaine.-I am nothing in the world but an
ordinary witness.
Belmont endeavored to treat you as
your station as ex-Secretary of State merited
Blaine.-You seem to treat me az an ex
traordinary witness. 1t is no fault of mine
that have been Secretary of State.
Another coiloquy took place during which
Representative Walker protested against the
needless waste of time.
The Chairman also explained and suggested
the propriety of putting direct questions, be.
lieving there should be no cause for misunder.
standing.
The examination proceeded fifteen minutes
without further break
Belmont insisted upon the witness interpre.
ting his dispatches relative to the Peru ant
CHILEAN affairs.
Blaine began reading one of his dipatches
when Belmont interrupted with We had al
those before us Mr.. Blaine. don't think il
, necessary to read from dispatches.
Chairman Williams remarked that the wit
ness was entitled to the privilege of reading
/ over the dispatches.
, Blaine then read the despatch in question
with the remark do not see how | coulC
make it any palmer.
t l gave no verbal instructions whatever.
= Belmont asked if the witness had seen
letter of Gen. Grants in which he said Il
! is about time for the United States to steI
in.
Blaine replied affirmatively and stated hi
/ supposed it was strictly private letter.
Belmont returned to Landreau's claim anC
asked Blaine if Re believed Landreau had tn
right to expect the good offices of the govern
! ment.
II Blaine Certainly, any American citzeI
: would have. Landreau never asked the gov
; eminent to intervene in his behalf, and thi
) government never sought to do so.
In reply to a remark that 1t was not certain
that Landreau was an American citizen
Blaine said:
: 1.-The Senate of the United States decided
upon that question when they confirmed hin
as Consul of the United States. and no on,
. but a citizen can be Consul of the Unite,
I States. There is great difference between
: consuls and consular agents. l never knew
e of the appointment or confirmation wher,
the party was not a Citizen
4 Belmont then referred to the letter of in
struction to Prescott, and Blaine remarked
he was greatly surprised at the publication
that despatch. Il thought I had an under
standing with the President that that despatch
was not to be published until Trescott's re
turn from South America. 1t was, however
published, and believe there has been nc
e more pernicious results from improper publ