Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-05-04
BAST'ING BELMONT.
The Little Man Tackles ex.Secretsry Blaine and
Mutual Interchange OF Hard Words
n he Result

I
The Little Man Tackles ex.Secretsry Blaine and
. Mutual Ister-change OF Hsrd words
/ II .he Result.
/ WASHINGTON. April 27.- Before the
| Foreign Affairs Committee this morning
Mr.. Belmont resumed the examination
of Mr.. Blaine. but before making much
progress Blaine said: mir. Belmont
exhausted two hours of the time of the
committee yesterday in travelling cir
Gle. He repeated his questions six or
eight or ten times over. OF course he
has a right, but il is all based on the
fact that he made two Interpretations
absolute, palpable misquotations-- and
this course of his is to establish his iusti-
fication in doing that; he has not vet
touched upon it. While have The
largest stock of patience, would rather
that he come directly to the point. There
are many important points would like
to be heard upon, but iteration and rejt-
Grafton of such questions in order to
yindicate Mr.. Belmont on having made
the blunder 10 misquote me i'm his par
ticulars is a little too exhausting; he has
made two palpable Interpretations, and
has made no explanation of them, when
as gentleman, as / understand him to
be. he ought to state frankly that e
did it." = 'a 10y
Mr.. Blaine, who had been standing.
and speaking with good deal of ex-
element, here took bis seat, and Bel
/ mont jumped from his chair and said:
'Of course Blaine's object il plain
| enough; that is, TO avoid the direct
ISSUE III
Blaine rising and striking the table
angrily with his clenched hand: what
| issuep'
Belmont-The issue which must be
met. e3 - a.
Blaine-What issue?
Belmont (also arising angrily and
striking the table, IL viii not answer
single question from this time to the end
of the examination. You have stated
what 4 deem to be entirely incorrect.
You have attempted to place me in
false position. In this you will not sue
coed. i said that the quotation remarks
were 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. The
commencement of this examination this
morning relieves me of all the consider
alton l mentioned yesterday, which /
intended to observe to man who held
the office Of Secretary of State You
have placed yourself on level with any
other witness, and will examine you as
such. ,e,,,,, us.
Blaine (angrily)-What do you mean?
Belmont mean this, that you have
been before committees before this that
you have endeavored to threaten.
Wilson Cnterrupting) l submit this
is not in order.
Blaine-This is intolerable; the inse-
lence of this young man is intolerable.
Belmont-You have brought it on
yourself
Il have no more regard for your in
science" retorted Blaine, than have
for a boy on the street"
Belmont-Mr. Blaine has had due ex-
perience before committees, and he has
endeavored to threaten them. He has
done it for the last time; be will not do
it to me.
Blaine-This is too trifiing. | hope
the committee win protect itself; have
no power.
After some confusion, quiet was res
tored, and Belmont resumed his ques-
tons.
Belmont asked if the witness had seen
the letter of General Grant, in which he
| said: cit is about time for the United
States to step in
III was very much surprised" wit
ness replied, lat Hurlbut's bringing on
the stand what | had supposed was n
private letter from General Grant /
think it was on the 23d of September.
Robert Randall showed me the letter.
presume it was the same letter. ! do
not believe General Grant ever intended
it should be made public.
Mr.. Belmont said there was some
doubt about Landreau's being an Amer
| lean citizen, referred to the letter of
| instructions to Prescott
| Blaine-I must confess / was greatly
surprised at the publication of that dis
patch. thought had an understand
ing with the President that the dispatch
should not be published until Trescott's
return from South America. When ]
heard it had been sent to the Senate,
telegraphed Immediately to the White
House and urged that it might be with
held from the Associated Press. That
evening i sent note to the President
stating my reasons why it ought to be
withheld. 1t was, however, published.
and | believe there have been no more
pernicious results from the improper
publication of State Department dis
patches than have resulted from this
Prescott considered his mission at South
America ended, and from that day there
has been no earthly use of keeping him
there.
Mr.. Belmont then stated he had no
further questions to ask
/ At the close of Belmont cross ax-
animation most exciting and unusual
scene occurred IN the Foreign Affairs
| Committee room. Mr.. Blaine stated
that as Belmont, after being warned on
Monday, had persisted in entirely mis-
quoting his dispatches and putting upon
| them construction utterly foreign, he
was compelled 10 change his opinion of
him, which had heretofore been that he
was gentleman. An exciting colloquy
ensued, which the committee was
unable 10 interrupt.
DciluOuI lutlHlaitu tildl nc WOulu ueAi
with Blaine in private. and followed it
up with the words: II believe you are
a bully and coward"
Blaine, addressing the committee and
ignoring Belmont, replied: "Mr. Chair
man, this 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 500
The scene was a most remarkable
one, and, Notwithstanding the efforts Of
the Chairman to smooth the troubled
waters and obviate the necessity for any
misunderstanding, the impression pre-
vailed at the adjournment of the meet
ing that the dispute had by no means
ended. 1t is the subject of comment
upon all sides this afternoon.
The committee then went into secret
session.
| Making Marmana