Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-04-28
WARLIKE BIS.
Blaine and Belmont Have a Sharp
Personal Controversy.
The Ex-Secretary's Opinion of Representa-
tive Belmont, and the Latter's Estimate
of Mr.. BIaine-The One Coward
and a Bully, and the Other
Not Gentleman,
BOTH OF THEM PROBABLY CORRECT.

/ BOTH OF THEM PROBABLY CORRECT.
!specaat Dispatch to the REGISTER.
WAsHrSsToH, April 29.-The rooms OF
the Foreign Affairs Committee were the
scene of another sensation, yesterday. Es-
Senator Blaine was being examined by Mr..
Edmund, who had series OF carefully pre-
pared written qnestions, which itisbroadIy
intimated were furnished or suggested by
parties outside, who are known to be mimi
cal to the ex.Premier. Belmont insisted
ppou having eAtsgoricsl answars, and aftsr;
he had propounded them several times,
Blaine became irritated and charged him
with having willfully perverted his test-
mony in, order to- meet his own purposes,
and added that such conduct had
led him to change the opinions
expressed, yesterday, that Belmont was
gentleman. Belmont retorted in kind,
charging that the witness only desired TO
avoid the issue, and that hereafter he would
treat him as he deserved. Both became
greatly excited, and Blaine sprang to his
feet, with face flushed and eyes blazing
with anger, and pounding the desk with
his clinched hand, demanded TO know what
was meant Belmont las also on his feet.
trembling with anger, and said that the
fact that Blaine had been before other
committees would not save him for
thorough examination by this, notwith-
standing all threats. Blaine replied that
while the insolence of the young man was
almost intolerable, it was impossible to ac-
cept an insult from such source.
The matter wa smoOthed over, tempora.
rilv, but when the examination was con-
cluded, Blaine remarked that the conduct
of Belmont was not that OF gentleman,
when the latter intinated that he would
deal with him elsewhere, and that he be-
lieved him to be both bully and coward.
All attempts to control or quell the diStur-
bance were unavailing, and the angry
wrangle continued until the Committee
went into executive session, and the gener-
al impression is that the affair is by no
means ended. IT,
Later.
Mr.. Belmont, tonight, has announced
hisintention TO decline 10 serve longer on
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, feeling
that the Committee has Not treated him
with that consideration due him as menu
Der in his controversy with ex-Secretary
Blaine. He complains more especially OF
the Democratic members, among whom is
| Col Wilson, of your State. q.
WASHINGTON, April 27.-Beiore the For
| eign Affairs Committee, this morning, Bel
mont resumed the examination OF Blaine,
| but before making much progress, Blaine
said: Mr.. Belmont exhausted two
| hours Of the time of the committee yester-
| day in travelling in-a circle. He repeated
his questions six or eight, or ten times
over. of course he has the right but it is
all based on fact that he made two misquo-
tations absolute, palpable misQuotations,
and this course of his is to establish his
justification in so doing, and he has not yet
touched upon it. While | have the largest
possible stock of patience, ] would rather
he came directly to the point. There are
many important points | would like To be
heard upon, but the iteration and reitera-
ton of the same questions in order to vim
diCate Mr. Belmont for having made the
blunder TO miSquote in two particulars,
iSa
Little Too Exhaustive.
lie has made two palpable Interpretations,
and made no explanation OF them, when as
a gentleman, as | understand hlm to he, he
ought to state frankly he did it. Blaine,
who had been standing and speaking, with
a good deal of excitement, here took his
seat. and Belmont jumped from. his chair
and said: "Of course Mr.. Blaine's object is
plain enough, and that is TO avoid direct
ISSUE
Mr.. Blaine. rising and striking the table
angrily, with hi> clenched hand-"What
| issue
Belmont-"The issue which must be
met"
Blaine-"What issue"
Belmont also rising angrily, and striking
the table, will not answer SINCE Iues-
ton that you ask from this time to the end
of the examination. You have stated what
| deem to be entirely incorrect You have
attempted to place me
In n False Position.
In this you will not succeed. | said that
the quotation marks were q mistake of the
printing, and your language bears the con-
struction put upon it. A careful reader
will agree with me, and a careless reader
may he influenced by your speech. The
commencement of this examination, this
morning. relieves me Of all consideration
mentioned yesterday, which | intended
to observe to a man who had held the Of
flee of Secretary of State. You have
placed Yourself on q level with any other
witness, and will examine you as such.
Blaine. Cangrily, - What do you
mean
Belmont-'I mean this, that you have
been before committees before this, and
that you have endeavOred to threaten.
Wilson (interrupting)-'I submit this is
not in order.
Blaine-''This is intolerable. The inso-
lence of this young man is intolerable.'
Belmont-"IOu have brought it on
yourself
Il have no more regard for your inso-
lence," retOrted Blaine, than | have for
that of boy on the street"
Belmont-"Mr. Blaine has
Had Due Experience
before Committees, and he has endeavored
to threaten them. lie has done it for the
last time. He will not do il to me-
Blaine-"This is too triiiing. / hope the
Committee will protect itself. | have no
power
After some confusion quiet was restored
and Belmont renewed his questions.
Belmont asked if the witness had seen q
letter of General Grants, in which he
said at is about time for the United States
to step in
Il was very much surprised, the witness
replied, "at Hurlbut's bringing on the wit
ness stand what l had supposed was a pri-
vate letter from General Grant. | think
it was on the 23d of September that Robert
Randall showed me the letter. l presume
it was the same letter. i do not believe
General Grant ever intended that it should
be made public
Belmont said there was some doubt about
| Landreau being an American citizen, and
referred to the letter of instructions to Tres
! colt.
Blaine-I must confess was greatly sur
prised at the publication Of that dispatch.
| thought | had an understanding with the