Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-04-28
BLAINE'S BURST
OF Passion Before the Peruvian Inyts-
tigating COmmittee-He Says Bel
mont is No Gentleman,
While the Latter RetOrts that the Ex-
Secretary is n Bully and a Cow
ard-An Exciting Scene.

WASHINGTON, April 26.-Mr. Belmont
resumed the examination OF Blaine before
the Foreign Affairs Committee this morning,
but before making much progress Blaine
said: Mr.. Belmont exhausted two hours time
Of the committee yesterday in travelling in
circle. He repeated his questions six or
eight or ten times over. OF course he
has a right, but ii is all based on the fact
that he made two misquotations-abso
palpable Interpretations; and this course of
his Is to establish his Justification in doing
that. He has not yet touched upon it.
While L have the largest possible stock OF
patience, would rather that he would come
directly to the point. There are many i'm
portant points that 1 would like to be heard
upon, but iteration and reiieration of the
same questions, in order TO vindicate Bel
mont for having made the bIunder to mis-
quote me in two particulars is little too
exhausiing. Re has made two palpable
interpretations, and has made no explanation
of them, when, a gentleman, as | under
stand him TO be, he ought TO state frankly
that he did it."
A MILD EXCHANGE OF CoURTEsIEs.
Blaine, who had been standing and speak
ing with good deal of excitement, here
took his seat, and Belmont jumped from his
chair and said: "Of course Blaine's object is
plain enough; that is, to avoid the direct
ISSUE"
Blaine (rising and striking the table
angrily with his clenche4 hand -What
issue?
B-lmont-The issue which must be met.
Blaine-What issue?
Belmont (also rising angrily aud striking
the table, will not answer single ques-
ton that you ask from this time to the end
of the examination. You have stated what
deem 10 be entirely incorrect. You have
attempted to place me in a false position.
In this you will not succeed. l said that
the quotation marks were mistakes OF the
pr inter-, and your language bears the
construction l put upon it. careful
reader will agree with me, and care
less reader may be Influenced by your
speech. The commencement of this exami-
nation this morning relieves me OF all
the consideration / mentioned yesterday,
which intended to observe TO a man who
had held the Office of secretary of state. You
have placed yourself a level with any
other witness, and | will examine You as
such.
Blaine (angrily)-What do you mean?
Belmont-I mean this, that you have been
before committees before this that you have
endeavored TO threaten.
Wilson (interrupting)-I submit this is
not in order.
Blsine-This is intolerable. The insolence
OF this young man is intolerable.
Bslmont-You have brought it on your
self.
Il have no more regard for your in
science" retorted Blaine, "Ihan / have for
that of a boy on the street."
Belmont-Mr Blaine has had due expert
ence before committees, and he has endeaV-
ored to threaten them He has done it for
the last time. He will not do it to me.
Blaine-This is too irihing. | hope the
committee will protect itself; l have no
power.
QUIET RESTORED.
After some confusion quiet was restored,
and Belmont resumed the questions. Bel
mont asked if the witness had seen letter
of General Grants. in which he said: SIT is
about time for the United States to step in"
81 was very much surprised" the witness
replied, cat Hurlbut bringing on the witness
stand what / had supposed was a private
letter from General Grant. l think it was
on the 23d of September that Robert Ran
dali showed me letter, j presume it was
Grant ever intended it should be made pub
lic"
Belmont said there was some doubt as to
Laudreau being an American citizen, and
referred to the letter Of instruction TO
Trescott.
Blaine-I must confess was greatly sur
prised at the publication of that dispatch. |
thought 1 had an understanding with the
president that The dispatch should not be
published until Trescotts retarn from South
America. When heard ii had been sent to
the Senat- telegraphed immediately 10 the
White House and urged that it might be
withheld from the Associated Press. That
evening l sent note to the president
stating my reasons why it ought to be with
held. 1t was, however, published, and /
believe there have been no more pernicious |
results from the improper publication of
state department dispatches than have re-
suited from this. Prescott considered his |
mission az South America ended, and from |
that day there has been no earthly use Of
keeping him there.
Belmont stated that he had no further |
questions 10 ask.
AN EXCITING SCENE.
At the close of Belmont's cross-examina- |
ton a most exciting and unual scene &C.
Cured. Blaine stated that as Belmont, after |
being warned on Monday, had persisted in |
entirely mi,quoting his dispatches and put |
ting upon them a construction utterly foreign, |
he was compelled to change his opinion of |
him, which had heretofore been that he was |
= gentleman.
An exciting colloquy ensued, which the
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 bully and |
coward.
Blaine, addressing the committee and ig-
noring 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 q most remarkable one and, |
the efforts of the chairman
to smooth the troubled waters and obviate |
the necessity for any misunderstanding, the |
impression prevailed when the committee
went into executive session that the dispute |
had by no means ended. 1t is the subject of |
comment upon all sides this afternoon.