The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-08-09
ANOTHER BIG TATTOO MARK,

1t seems Blalne's sale of himself to the
Arkansas Railroad Company was not the
Aonly instance IN which he made corrupt use
of his power as speaker of the lower house
of congress. The following straghtfor,
ward story, which appears as IA special in
the Pittsburg Post, is vouched for by that
sheet as coming from thoroughly reliable
source. As to Mr.. Bergner, he is gentle
man whose veracity no one who knows him
will question for moment. The Mr.
Kemble" spoken of is the well known
Pennsylvania lobbyist who has become
famous in that line as having reduced its
main elements of success, addition, divis
ion and silence to science.
Says the correspondent of the Pittsburg
Post:
at is commonly believed said Mr.
Bergner, that Mr.. Blaine was defeated for
the nomination in 1876 because he was OBJ
noxious to the Cameron ring. There is
nothing further from the the truth, and the
only color for the statement lies in the fact
that Senator Cameron was opposed to him.
His defeat was accompanied by Il disclOs.
ure made by William NJ. Kemble, who
was delegate from the Fourth district,
Philadelphia, and had no reference, direct
or indirect, to the relations between Sena
tor Cameron and Blaine.
after the sixth ballot had been com
pleted," continued Mr.. Bergner, "it became
evident that the issue would be decided on
the next The Pennsylvania delegation
had been voting for John f. lIartranft, in
obedience to the resolutions of the state
convention. In order that the state might
make itself felt in the succeeding ballot
the delegation withdrew for consultation
While they were engaged there the late
Morton McMichael and Gen. Bingham adj
dressed themselves earnestly to the dele.
gates in advocacy Of voting for Blaine. At
the conclusion Of Mr.. McMichael's re
marks it was evident deep impression
had been made Just as the vote was about
to be taken Mr.. Kemble arose He asked
the delegates to pause in the matter, and
gave his opinion that the nomination of
Blaine would bring defeat to the party
He referred to the damaging stories that
would be told and to the doubtful record
Mr.. Blaine had made during his public
life. He drew from his pocket two can
celed checks and cOntinued:s i never had
Mr.. Blaine The only relations we have
ever had are represented by these two
checks. They are signed by me, made pay
able to his order and indorsed by him and
returned to me through the ordinary chan
nels of such things
"'When Mr. Blaine was speaker of the
house of congress was interested in some
pending legislation | asked his assistance
10, h, e T.,- Ia ..,lirfr
He agreed to rule as asked for $1,000
! paid him the money with this check lex
hibitng the $4,000 check Subsequently
Blaine came to me and demanded -, 800
more, and was obliged to yield and made
the second payment with this check, Tex
hibiting the ~, 800 check Now contin
ued Mr. kemble, Il DEFY any man to say
that ever had any other business transac
ton with Blaine, and defy any man To
dispute the genuincne>s of this endorse
ment in Blaine's handwriting. If ne is
nominated by this convention | will give
these facts to the public and defeat is sure
10 follow. have no objection to buying
man, but do complain that he wouldn't
stay bought and required a second pay
ment'
The effect OF this speech was electrical"
continued Mr.. Bergner when kemble
sat down he handed the Cancelled checks
around among the delegates and they were
examined carefully and critically. | had
them in my hand and am satisfied that they
were genuine. Immediately after the vote
was taken and the delegation decided TO
cast its vote for Hayes That vote decided
the issue against Blaine
Mr.. Bergner's friends assert that he will
vote for Butler
While the balloting in the Chicago con.
vention of 1880 was in progress General
Simon Cameron, abiding to the same mat
ter said to u neighbor that it was evident
that the people were for Blaine, but owing
to the evidence against him i, would be ia
tai 10 nominate him.