The Indianapolis journal., 1884-05-01
The Reply of NIr. Phelps.

WASHINGTON. D. c. April 2S.
Dear Sir-I have this moment your letter of this
morning. and hasten to correct some impressions
you have gotten, either from my letter to the New
York Evening Post or more probably from some OF
the numerous newspaper comments | regret If you
think that IN using your name as an Illustration OF a
principle have in any way hurt your reputation. 1t
IS u reputation of which YOU and the country may
well be proud and as said i'll my letter the facts do
not and ought not to I'M iure any man reputation
The principle sought to demonstrate that leg
slator has right refuse justice to corporate in
terest because he happens to have share i'll the
property that would be benefited and that it not
necessarily wrong thing for a legislator to ac-
9uire interest in corporate property after
legislative action in which he has as
sisted. and [ cited an illustration your
conduct. and that of many other legislators which
neither nor any else eensured. l asked why
such conduct was censurable in Blaine and not in any
else. Blaine did not vote, but did rule, that
Ihe Little Rock Fort Smith road got its land grant
confirmed knowing more of the road at that time
than did and forgot the fact. Three months after
wards Blaine bought his interest in that road. You
voted because the assent unanimous and you
were present to confirm the land grant of the Bur
Engton q Missouri River road, knowing at that time
a little of it than did for you debated it, and
YOU forgot the fact. Three months afterwards you
bought your interest in that road. The
analogous in all essential particulars that it seemed
proper TO group them. Had thought the action of
either of You discredtabe should not have defended
him mentioned you.
Where is there any lack of accuracy in my state
mente about other people, I said: Senator Ed
nuIids was understood to have block of Burling-
ton & Missouri river road securities and again:
Senator Edmunds acquired his interests in the
Burlington Missouri river road when he was in the
Senate" Iou say: "On the 18th of July, 1859, you
subscribed for 1875 shares of stock, and $4,000 OF
bonds OF the Burlington & Alssodri River Railroad
Company. | am inaccurate in these statements only
in case you were not a member of the Senate on
the 18th day of July, 1869, and in stocks and
bonds do not constitute block said, They both
lyon and auotherl supported bill to restore the
land grant to their road. You say this point
nothing against my accuracy. You had only to say
you voted against the bill Had you done this /
NIL a1,n NV fDnpp Irtt tba
official record shows you present, and speaking
upon the resolution at the moment of its passage
and the record shows that it passed without vote
against it"
II the Tribune misapprehended me as saying YOU
i'll any way interested in the road at the time of
the passage of the resolution it is responsible and
l. suspect it take of itself and prefers to-
made no such representation directly by implica-
ton Such fact would destroy the paralleiism be
terest in the road at the time of the passage of the
resolution you had none. He acquired his interests
yours in Boston three months after. | think my
statements accurate popular language
could make them. Had thought them "a charge"
could have used technical language legal pleading
but such language would not have stated the facts
more fairly.
do not want to know anything of your business
transactions except those facts which the public has
long known, and of which you need not be ashamed
Nor do need any othor evidence than your word
for anything you may choose to communicate. The
fact that yo like your great associates do not
the misrepresentation of the press has shaken
my entire confidence in your honor and hon.
esty, nor need | add that 1 have been
long in the school where have learned to sympathze
with public who falsely and perpetually ac.
cused of corruption bias and seshnes of acting
upon public questions in which they have private in.
terests, nor have they been exempt from such penal
ties of greatness though neither wingnor desirous
TO be either candidate or President, and naturally
liking to stand well in the estimation of their fellow
citizens. Such expressions of envy always the
penalty of greatness, and be only escaped by OBJ
scrty The disposition of this letter is in your hands,
am; Mr.. Senator, with high esteem, respectfully
yours, WIN. WALTER PHELPS.