Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-09-30
Is MIR. Blaine Honest /?
A RISGISG REPLY TO THAT QUESTION FROM
One VINO HAS Known HIM THIRTY
YEARS
New York Tribune.


Mr. John ID. Elwell, the well-known ship
broker and merchant of this city, recently
wrote to Mr. J. NJ. Hagar, the shipbuilder of
Richmond. Me, making inquiry concerning
Mr.. Blaines business character.
"In Its issue of August 90" wrote Mr.. Elwell,
"The Sun mentions you Hagar, the Kennebec
shipbuilder, and says that 'Mr. Blaine's best in
formed friends not inclined to DIV ell upon the
history OF the statesma 8 relations with the coniid
ing capitalists In the cities and towns of Maine -
Now, the remarks of the lead directly to the n
formation wish to obtain of you, to wit: Is Mr..
James g. Blaine an honest man l do not know
any man who Is better prepared to express an opn-
ION IN accordance with the iacts than you
You must know beyond any question whether he is
honest or dishonest.
To this Mr.. Hagar makes reply under date
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 tran
spired before the House committee in 1876 |
think relating to Mr.. Blane's connection
with the Little Rock and Fort Smith railroad
wherein the writer's name appears. In 1869
Mr. Blaine did negotiate sale of certain
bonds and stocks in that road to the writer
We had interviews and correspondence for 4
time with no result At length it ended in a
written contract. This contract was signed
by one Warren Fisher, of Boston, and the
writer, but made and written by Mr. Blaine.
The money named was paid Fisher and the
securities were delivered by him. Before
executing the contract and during negota-
tons for it, said repeatedly to Mr.. Blaine
in substance 81 cannot investigate your road
and the value of its securities. ANY effort in
that direction would result in no good /
will take the securities you name at your
price and pay as you wish, but in so doing
rely upon your judgment and advice | can
know nothing OF their value except from you"
Only thr e coupons were paid upon the two
classes of bonds. The road failed to pay other
coupons and the matter looked badly.
A year or two after the failure of the road
the writer accidentally met Mr.. Blaine upon
a street in Washington, and at this time
called his attention to this railroad matter.
MY opinion was firmly expressed that the
securities had no value and the road was
fraud Mr.. Blaine replied thar the securities
had value and with time and patience all
would end well | then recalled the circum-
stances under which they were taken, all of
which he frankly admitted. and before we
parted he said: II did urge you to take the
bonds and stocks and as you are dissatisfied
will take them of you when at home, in
Augusta, in a few weeks" Soon after
reaching home | made statement of the
transaction and sent it to Washington Mr.
Blaine promptly acknowledged its reception
and 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 securities
| went and was paid about 900.
| Whatever was claimed as owed was paid |
think the securities had no market value at
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 ef praise. THINK not one man in
| 100, 900 E)uid hare done phat he did
He frankly admitted all He said he had
been deceived and without hesitation or
delay said 81 eiH not permit you to suffer
bg anu act Of mine Other persons who had
these securities 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 they did not prove what he had anticipa.
! ted. that he was deceived and be PROMPTLY
made restitution to the holders by payment of
the cost and interest and no one suffered bv
their purchase Of hun. From long personal
knowledge of MIR. Blaine. and his manner of
business. | must regard him as generous.
1 honorable man.
| In his private and personal life he is pure
and worthy of imitation In his home and
neighborhood he is above suspicion. He is
opeu. frank and generous in all his dealings
| In his public life he is intensely American
He believes we are the biggest and best
nation on earth. and we should build up our
interest BY land and sea by protecting manu-
features and commerce and everything to
increase our wealth and power Protection
to Americans and American interests he
believes in implicitly, and thinks the time
has come when this great and prosperous
nation should command the respect and
admiration of the world-even if we must
enforce it by display of our power and
strength. when the rights of onr citizens are
denied or ignored That protectio England
gives her subjects he would demand for our
own people. He is ambitious. but it is an
ambition TO build up his country. not person
al sggrandizemsnt, and if elected President
he will seek to give the country an admis-
tration that will leave its mark in history
You have in brief my notions of Mr.
| Blaine. Take no stock in those who would
blacken his character and defame him. He
is nominated for high office. and if elected
will perform it, duties with credit to himself
and friends. and his country