Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-09-26


Phlo Hersey, Belfast, $1,000
A. w. johnson, Belfast, 5000
X G. Johnson, Belfast, $1,000
Nahum Z Monroe. Belfast, s. 600
c. b Hazeltne, Belfast, $1,000
The list is incomplete, however, as ii. II,
Johnson and Capt. Horace Hartman were
subscribers, and the total amount taken in
Belfast was $4,000. Three of the above
named, Nessrs A. w. and c. johnson
and n =. Monroe are dead The investors
were most of them wealthy, and were of
both political parties. Messrs. c. B. Hazel
tine, II. II. johnson and Philo Hersey are
now residents of Belfast, as in 1869, and it
is well known to their fellow citizens that
they have repeatedly in conversation resented
the alta ks upon Mr. Blaine and declared
their confidence in his integrity and good
faith. Thinking to get something more in de-
tail, a representative of the Journal called on
Judge Hersey on Monday last, and after
stating his errand, that gentleman replied
that he had received few days before,
letter from Edw Pendleton Esq, of Detroit,
Michigan, asking whether, in his opinion,
Hon. Jas G. Blaine acted honorably in the
matters referred to in the Fisher correspon-
dence. II did not keep copy of the letter,
continued Judge Hersey; but | can give
you the substance, and it covers the ground
of the Journals enquiry. In answer to Mr..
Pendlcton's question, | said that | believed
MIR. Blaine's conduct in this matter was
honorable in the highest degree. was one
of the purchasers of bonds and stock in the
Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad to the
extent of So, 900 1t was bargained for and
terms stated through Mr. Blaine, and wholly
paid for in 10 per cent monthly installments
directly by me to Warren Fisher. |, with
several others of this city, subscribed for.
and took, think, $4,000 of said stock and
bonds. The transaction was plain, open,
frank and fair, The whole transaction was
by correspondence. and arose from casual
remark about the Little Rock and Fort Smith
Railroad enterprise, in letter from Mr..
Blaine to Alfred w. Johnson, on other
business. Mr.. Blaine asked no one of us to
take a dollar of the stock. He was asked by
us to state the nature of the enterprise and
did so fully, frankly and truthfully. We all
took stock and met with loss, and as we do
not claim to be much above the average of
the human race would have found fault with
Mr. Blaine had he been at fault. But as
matter OF fact have never heard the least
intimation that he was at fault. or acted in
the least degree dishonorable On the con-
trary every one of the seven who took stock
three of whom were democrats-have
always insisted that MIR, Blaine acted with
the utmost good faith. One of the number
Charles Hazeltue) who is on the demo.
cratic electoral ticket in this State. has so
declared himself in the most emphatic terms
in letter to the press over his own signature
and has repeatedly stated to euquirers in the
street that Mr.. Blaine's part in the whole
transaction was perfectly honorable. and that
the attempt to distort the meaning
and purpose of Mr.. Blaine's private
and business correspondence is wrong and
unjust As for myself, feeling that
know much more about this matter
than Mr.. Blaines slanderers, | regard this as
an illustration of the narrowness and bad
ness of extreme partisanship in distilling
talsehocd from truth Why, never met
man or had a transaction with a man in my
whole business life more strictly honest in
representation of what | now know to be
true than was Mr. Blaine in his representa-
tons to US regarding the Little Rock and
Fort Smith Railroad.
Judge Herseys letter to Mr.. Pendleton. of
which the foregoing is the substance, will
probably be published in the Detroit papers
Mr.. P. is brother of DIR. l. W Pendleton
formerly of Belfast, and now of Portland,
and is successful lawyer and active repub-
lican. 1t hardly needs to be added that he is
for Blaine and Logan.
Since the above was written Judge Hersey