The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-09-29
Is Mr.. Blaine Honestly
A Ringing Reply to that Question froRs
One Who has Known Him Thirty
Wears.
New York Tribune.)

Mr.. John d. Elwell, the well-knoWn ship
broker and merchant of this city, recently
wrote to Mr.. j. M. Hagsr, the shipbuilder Of
Richmond, Me-, making inquiry concerning
Mr.. Blaiue's business character.
Sin its issue of August 20,' wrote Mr.. Elvell,,
"The Sun mentions you as 'Hagar, the Kennebeo
shipbuilder, and says that Mr.. Blaine's best in
formed friends are not inclined to dwell upon the
history of the satesman's relations with the oond
ing capitalists in the cities aud towns of Maine
Now the remarks of the Sun lead directly to the in
formation wish to obtain of you, to wit: Is Mr.
James G. Blaine an honest man? 1 do not know
any man who is better prepared to express an opin-
ion in accordance with the facts than you.
You must know beyond any question whether he Il
honest or dishonest.
To this Mr.. Hagar makes reply, under data
of September 2, as follows:
/ have known Mr.. Blaine now over thirty
years. Perhaps it might properly be said at
times we have been on intimate terms, meet
ing on business, politically, socially, in the
family.
The newspapers have published what tram
spired before the house committee, in 1876 1
think, relating to Mr.. Blaine's connection
with the Little Rock and Fort Smith rail-
road, wherein the writer's name appears. In
1869 Mr.. Blaine did negotiate a sale of certain
bonds and stocks in that road to the writer.
We had interviews and correspondence for q
time with no result. At length It ended in .
written contract. This contract was signed by
OAAS
but made and written by Mr.. Blaine. The
money named was paid Fisher and the seouF-
tiles were delivered by him. Before execute
ing the contract and during negotiations for
IT, SAID repeatedly to Mr.. Blaine in sub
stance: II cannot investigate your road and
the value OF its securities. ANY effort in that
direction would result in no good. 1 will
take the securities you name at your price and
pay as you wish, but in so doing rely upon
your Judgment and advice. I can know moth
ing Of their value except from you" Only
three coupons were paid upon the two classes
OF bonds. The road failed to pay other cou-
pons and the matter looked badly.
A year or two after the failure of the road
the writer accidentally met Mr.. Blaine upon q
street in Washington and at this time called
his attention to this railroad matter. NV
opinion was firmly expressed that the securi.
lies mad no value and the road was fraud.
Mr.. Blaine replied that the securities had
value and with time and patience all would
end well. then recalled the circumstances
under which they were taken, all of which he
frankly admitted and before we parted he said:
i dld urge you to take the bonds and stocks,
and as you are dissatisfied I will take them Of
you when at home, in Augusta, in a few
weeks" Soon after reaching home made a
statement OF the transaction and sent II TO
washington. Mr.. Blaine promptly acknoWl-
edged Its reception aud correctness, and said
that the sum claimed would be paid on his
reaching Augusta. Upon his arrival he wrote
me to come to Augusta and bring my secufi-
ties. went aud was paid about S11, OOO.
Whatever was claimed as owed was paid.
THINK the securities had no market value &C
the time and was pleased to be rid of them
and get so much money. then Thought and
still think his conduct was generous and
worthy Of praise. think not one man IN
lUO,OOO a00utd hare done 1ChGt he did. He
frankly admitted all. He said he had been
deceived and without hesitation or delay said:
II aoSH not permit you to suffer by ann act of
naaae." Other persons who had these securi-
ties were treated in the same manner.
Certain facts about the Little Rock and Fort
Smith Railroad are clear. that Mr.. Blaine did
negotiate certain bonds and stocks of that road
among his intimate personal and political
friends, that these securities proved bad, that
he did promptly and frankly admit that thew
did not prove what he anticipated, that he was
deceived, and he promptly made restitution to
the holders By payment of the cost and interest
and no one suffered by their purchase of him.
From long personal knowledge of Mr.. Blaine
and his manner Of business 1 must regard him
as a generous, honorable man.
In MS private and personal life he Is pure and
worth OF imitation. In his home and neigh
borhood he is above suspicion. He is open,
frank and generous in all his dealings. In his
public life he is intensely American. He be-
lieves we are the biggest and best nation on
earth, and we should build up our interest BY
land and sea by protecting manufactures and
commerce and everything TO increase our
wealth and power. Protection to Americans
and American interests he believes in implic-
lily, and thinks the time has come when this
great and prosperous nation should command
the respect and admiration of the world-even
II we must enforce it by display of our power
and strength, when the rights Of our citizens
are denied or Ignored. That protection Eng
land gives her subjects he would demand for
our own people. He is ambitious, but it Is an
ambition to build up his country, not personal
ACKNOWLEDGMENT, and if elected President he
will seek to give the country an administration
that will leave its mark in history,
You have in brief smy notions OF Mr..
Blaine. Take no stock in those who wonld
blacken his character and defame him. He ia
nominated for high Office, and il elected will
perform its duties with credit to himself and
friends, and his country.