The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-04-25
BLAINE ON THE STAND.
A. NOBLE DEFENSE OF GARFIELD
The s1.Seerstary Prououates Ih'phsrd Frsadsss
psEjassr-Ths Aseosd OF dead Fss.ident
and dead MInlster Protected from the
r. Falaehoods Of ALyinv Sehemsr. r

WASHINGTON, April 2l.-lIon. James G
Blaine, cx.Secrctary Of State, appeared be
fore the House Committee on Foreign Re
lations, to-day, in connection with the Pc
ruyian-Shipherd case. A @a
lie stated that he knew Shipherd; III
had read his testimony and had endeav
ored to understand It. lie never saw o.
heard Of tho Shipherd letters in tho STATE
Department until Shiphcrd WIS intro
duccd to him by Senator Dlair. Such
trashy matters as Shepherds letter woult
never be called to the attention OF the Sec
retary, ms they were scarcely fit for the
waste basket. ue knew nothing whatcvc,
rs to how tho letters came 10 DO missing
from the flies. His first interview with
Shiplierd, so far from lasting late into the
night, only lasted fifteen minutes, md the
witness did not sec Shipheld again 10,
nearly three months: Mr.. Blaine then pro
duced what he stated was the entire cor
rcspondcnce between himself and 1Iurl.
but during the latter's administration ut
Lima.
Mr.. Blaine continued: Shiplierd came Ia
me and stated that he was tho representa-
tive OF very important claim called the
Cochet claim. l had never before heard Of
it and asked him how he spelled the name;
he told me Senator Blair was one Of his
counsel and also nddcd the names OF cx.
Senator Conkling, Hon. Scott Lord, ex.sen.
ator Craigin and others. l thought it a
very strong array Of counsel. lie named
about n dozen prominent iinancers and
bankers, including the Seiiginans, Morton,
Bliss & Co. md others. ! mention these
facts because | have been criticized for not
kicking Shipherd out OF the department on
the first morning that he called, but when
II man comes introduced by n United States
Senator, with three ex-Senutors and an ex-
Secretary OF the Treasury rs his counsel,
and an array OF hackers such rs he men
toned, it would hardly be the custom Of
the department to kick him out on sight.
This explains why did not do what vir.
tually did do later.
Mr.. Blaine then related the points OF his
conversation with Shiphcrd in which he
(Shipherd) read what he claimed to be the
opinion of cx.Sccretary Evarts, to the ef-
feet that Cochct could claim one.third OF
the guano.
The witness said, with much emphasis,
II would be willing TO take most solemn
oath that President Garfield died without
either having heard OF this vile scheme or
having heard the name Of Cochet mention.
ed"
Mr.. Blaine continued: Mr.. Prescott, mt
his dictation, wrote Il dispatch to Minister
Hurlbut, telling him that he would no
doubt be placed in possession Of nil the
facts concerning the Cochet claim, but that
he must take no steps towards committing
the government thereto, until he had re-
ceired further definite instructions. Gen.
llurlbut replied that the legation had
nothing but vague statements regarding
the claim and could take no judicial action.
On November II he had instructed Gen.
llurlbut not to extend the good offices Of
this government to tho purchaser Of this
claim. Shepherds letter, referring TO the
defective title OF the claim, which has
already been published, was read. 10 this
MIR. Blaine replied. that lie took pleasure
iii recommending Gen. llurlbut's action in
sending hither the correspondence in the
case, and added. "perhnps should miti-
gate somewhat the severity Of my language
in view OF the possibility OF the fact that
Shiphcrd is NOT in his right mind" Being
IN American concern, the company was
entitled to the kind Offices OF our Minister
in any investigation that might be made in
Peru in its behalf.
In regard TO Shepherds story OF the
s29O, 900 brihc offered to Gen. Hurlbut. tho
following letter was yead:
~ WASHINGTON, April 10.
Hon. Jas. g. Blaine:
DEAR Sill never heard Shiphcrd state
to you that he had offered uurlbut $780,
600 in stock. never heard that he made
such an ollrr until l read ii in the pub
lished reports OF his evidence before the
foreign aiFtirs committee.
lSigned.l HENRY w. BLAIR"
This ended the correspondence between
the State department aud Minister llurlbut
on the Cochet claim. 20 -
Mr., Be!mont-"Wus there not subse.
quent dispatch?'
Mr.. Blaine explained that the Peruvian
Company survived the Cochet claim and
tfat Shipherd had informed him tl,ut ex-
Senators Conkling and Eaton would soon
start Tor Peru in its interest, and TINT after
that he, wrote dispatch, such rs would
always be given where Americans OF high
rank were interested In the case OF the
Cochet claim, il was found to be Peruvian
claim in behalf Of which the department
could not, under any circumstances, use
i!sotices, but the Peruvian Company, being
an American Company, was entitled to the
kind offices OF our Minister in any inves-
tigation THAT might be made in Peru in
their behalf
Here Mr.. Blaine read letters OF denial
from ex.Secretasy Boutwell,, Scott Lord, ex-
Senator Craigin and Wm. II. Robertson,
and raised 4 general laugh by adding,
there is "a very largo lie out there aud
don't think it will require very searching
investigation 10 locate it.n
/ The witness then read his correspond
encc with ex.Sccrctary Evarts, in which
the latter denied that Shipherd had my
authority forquoting him III any way;that he
had never given any opinion or been asked
TO give any, whatever, in regard to the
Cochct claim; that he was absent in Europe
and did not know, until his return, and
4 then only through the public prints, that
Shipherd had been using his name"
Il have not" said Mr.. Blaine, t.the
slightest hesitation in saying that this
man, Shipherd, should be sent before n
grand jury. 1t is fiat, unqualified perjury
on his part, that ought to be properly pun
ishcl." a
Mr.. Blaine here read letter from. Mr..
Elmore, the Peruvian minister ut Washing
ton, in which the following passage occurs:
"In regard 10 my alleged statement that
had seen the marginal note, Go in Steve,
! need not assure you that it is absolutely
false." Hit0
Chairman Williams reminded the wit.
ness that he had not yet supplemented this
statement OF Elmorc with any denial OF his
own, TO- which Mr.. Blaine quickly respond-