The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-12-25
DISMISSED.
Mr.. Blaine Concludes to Desist From Pros-
ecuting the India polls Sentinel.

Mr.. Blaine Concludes To Desist From Pros--
ecuting the Indianapolis Sentinel.
INDIANAPOLIS, December IL. - Mr..
Blaine this morning dismissed the libel suit
against the Sentinel in the United States,
Court. The principal ground was that he-
could not get justice in Indiana. L. was
set for trial the 23d inst.
Following is Blaine's letter to his at'or.
neys, instructing them to dismiss the case:
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. December 10, 1884,
To Messrs Harrison, Miller Elba, Cour-
selOrs at Law:
GENrs:-When requested you in August
last to bring suit against the publishers OF
the Indianapolis Sentinel for libel. / did so in
the belief that the wrong done me by that
paper, being entirely of personal and do
nestle character, could be fairly tried with
out undue influence from political consider
find the matter at once taken up and the libel
reproduced with all possible exaggeration in.
every Democratic paper in Indiana Except
from three members of the Democratic party
of that State, never heard that q word Of
dissent or disapproval was spoken, while the
great mass of Democratic speakers repeated
the libel from every stump in Indiana with
vituperatcd rancor. with gibe and ribald Jest.
1t was thus made SO far as any matter of the
kind can be made, an issue in an exciting po-
ltical campaign, and the Democrats OF the
state were thoroughly poisoned in their
minds in regard to the question to be decided
by law. Under such conditions, ii is simply
Impossible that can have fafr thai or
that i can expect any other result than
thst which uniformly attends o politi-
raj libel suit growing out of an excit-
ing campaign In this country. IL / were un-
fair enough to desire q jury composed of my
own partisans could not have 1t. prop
erly constituted jury in Indiana would be
composed of members OF both political par
ties in about equal proportions When /
visited Indiana in October i was repeatedly
advised that six Democrats could not be
found in the State who in political suit
would give q verdict against their leading
party organ. This did not necessarily con-
vey aD iuputation upon their personal in
tegrity as citizens, but simply that the blind
ing of popular prejudice would utterly pre-
vent an impartial consideration of evidence
submitted. am perfectly able to fight the,
Sentinel newspaper in an Indiana court. but
1 would stand no chance whatever against
the cor so.idated venom of the Democratic
party o; the State. With these surroundings
and with this prospect II IL idle for me TO go
through the trouble and annoyance OF trial.
The questions propoundcd by the bill of dis
covery have already been substantially and
fully answered by me. and I am willing to-
leave my written statement and answers
under oath to the Judgment of the public. i
dc not choose to have the case indirectly
concluded by y technically or suffered to-
die in silence. Iprefer to make this frank
and open statement of the reason which in
duced me to believe the prosecution Of the
case would be utterly fruitiess-
Very respectfully, JAMES G. BLAINE.