Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1882-04-24
GENERAL NEWS.
Ex.Secretary Blaine Before e the
Shipherd investigation
Committee.
He Enters Flat Denial Of OH the
AlIe9stions Of the Peruvian
Speouistor.
Tho Senate Committee Agrees
to Recommend Another Land
District in Dakota and to
FavOrably report Arm.
strOng's NOmtna-
ton,


ton.
Ex-secretary Blsine's Testimony.
Washington, April 24-Ex.Secretary
Blaine's testimony before tho house for.
sign affairs committee this forenoon was
in general terms 8 sweeping denial Of
Shiphcrd's statements as to his relation
and conversation with Blaine. Secretary
Blaine characterized the Shipherd cor
respondence as stuff hardly fit for the
waste basket, and said that as it came to
the department that the chief clerk
would not bother the secretary with such
stuff. Blaine's testimony. together with
that Of Wm. Henry Hurlbut. will pretty
we'll dispose of Shipherd. Blaine pro-
duced lettors from Senator Blair. to
whom Shipherd referred, also denying
Shepherds statement. especially with
reference to the alleged offer Of $3.50. 900
to the late Minister Hurlbut
Shipherd came to me and stated he was
. representative 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, aud
also added ex-senator Conkling. Hon.
Scott Lord, ex Senator Cragin aud others.
thought it a very strong array Of coun.
sci; he named about dozen prominent
fnanciers and bankers, including Selig-
mans, Morton, Bliss & Co., and others.
I mention these facts because have
been criticised for not kicking Shipherd
out Of the department the first morning
he called, but when q man comes intro.
duced by a United States senator and
with three ex-ssnators and an ex-secreta-
~ OF the treasury and crowd and ar
ray Of hackers such As he
mentioned it would hardly
be a custom of the department to kick
him out of sight. This explains why
did not do what virtually did do later.
Blaine related points OF his conversation
with Shipherd, in which he (Shipherd)
read what he claimed to be the opinions
of ex-Secretary Evarts to the effect that
Cochet could claim one-third Of the gu.
ano.
Blaine with much emphasis said: II
would bs willing to take the most solemn
oath that President Garfield died with.
out ever having heard Of this vile scheme,
or ever hearing Of such name as Cochet
mentioned"
Tresoott, at Blaine's dictation, wrote q
dispatch to Hurlbert, telling him there
would be no doubt but that he would be
placed in possession Of the facts concern.
ing the Cochst claim, bat he must take
no stsps towards committing tho gov.
eminent thoreto untilh received further
INSTRUCTIONS.
Hurlbut replied that the legation had
nothing but vague statements regarding
the claim. and could take no judicial &C.
tion.
On November 18th Blaine instructed
Hurlbut not to extend the good Offices o.
this government to the purchasers OF th.
claim.
Blaine said: perhaps 1 should miti
gate somewhat my language in view oi
the possibility of the fact that Shipherd
was not wholly in his right mind. He
explained that the Peruvian company
survived the Cochet claim, and that
Shipherd explained to him that Sena.
tors Conkling and Eaton would soor
stand, Tfor Peru in it's interest
After that lie I wrote dispatch. such as
would always be given when Americans
of high rank are interested. that the
Cochet claim was Peruvian and that the
United States could not use its good Of
foes. Blaine read letters from Senator
Blair, Secretary Boutwell,, Scott Lord
Senator CraRin and Collector Robertson
this morning They had new.
er heard Shipherd say he
had offered that bribe. Blaine said
"Thele's large lie out. don't think il
will require very searching investiga
tion to locate it." (Laughter.)
Blaine then read his (Blsine's) CORES.
pondence with Secretary Evarts. in
which Evarts denied that Shipherd had
any authority to quote him. and that he
never gave or was asked for an opin.
ion regarding the Cochet claim
He knew upon his return from Europe
that Shipherd had used his name. Said
Blaine: II have not the slightest hesita
tion in saying this man Shipherd should
be sent before the grand jury. It is fiat,
unqualified perjury on his part that ough,
to be properly punished"
Blaine read letter from Elmore say.
ing the statement lie had seen on the
marginal note, "Go in Stsve," was also
false.
Blaine. being reminded that he had
not devised this marginal note. said
quickly: .Oh. no. it's about a. detesta
bic aud out of whole cloth a lie, and
don't believe the man Is Of sound mind
In vindication Of President GarHsh BY
Hurlbut from Shiphsrd's insinua&ioui
Blaine Eeviswed ths interview bstvesu