The Republican journal., 1884-10-09
The Charges Against Mr.. Blaine.

and substance of the charges the opposition
press have brought against him; most of them
we may say here, unfounded and malicious
But suppose that by legitimate business enter
prises of whatever nature Mr.. Blaine has made
money What then? Is it a crime for a man,
because he holds public office, to endeavor to
make provision for his family or for himself,
when the time comes for him to retire to pri-
vae station: If it is a crime, then Mr.. Blaine
is not the only guilty one, and public men by
scores, Democrats as well as Republicans, must
be arraigned ard condemned. That it is wrong
for public officer to his official position or
vote Il means to make money is. of course,
admitted. But Mr.. Blaine has not done that
No one vote given by him in his long career in
Congress is open TO criticism or objection; and
every ruling made by him during the four
years he occupied the Speakers chair will bear
and has borne the >trctest scrutiny without re-
fleeing in the slightest degree either npon his
integrity or his parliamentary ability. As il
private citizen he has exercised the undoubted
right of investing in lands, in mines and in
railroad enterprises. That is all there is to the
fearfully exaggerated and in many instances
wholly false. reports of Mr.. Blaines money
making which have emanated from his personal
and political enemies. In this connection we
present the following extract from one of Mr.
II. j. RamSdelfs Washington letters to the
Philadelphia Press:
During the past summer met the publisher
of Mr. Blaine's book Twenty Years of Con-
sre>s." He told me that he had put to press
The fourth edition of 10000. Since our CONVEX
>aIion | have been thinking about the charges
OF Mr. Blalne's money making. According to
the publisher, 100000 of MIR. Blaines book
have been sold. His book means two volumes.
and 100000 copies therefore means 400. 900
books. Let us say that Mr.. Blaine gets fifty
cents volume royalty (not high estmate) !;
then he receives S200.00 for less than two
years work. And yet the poor little gizzard-
eaten Democrats say that be is corrupt because
he makes money outside of his salary. Bah. 1t
Is disgusting.
The Independents, who are opposing Mr..
Blaine, they say, because of these charges
wanted Senator Edmunds nominated. He was
their Ideal canddate.' They are now shout
ing for Cleveland. Senator Edmunds has been
a. long in public life as Mr.. Blaine and is re-
puted to be quite as wealthy. He is LAWYER
and has very large income from his profess
ion, not i'll petty practice, but as the attorney
for railroad and other corporations before the
Supreme Court of the United States. 1t is a
common thing for him to leave his seat in the
Senate to argue a case before the Supreme
Court. We do not state this to his discredlt
nor charge That his vote is Influenced by his
that the men who regarded Mr.. Edmunds as an
simply because he made an investment in rail-
road stock. And what is true of Senator Ed
munds was true of his bosom friend Senator
Thurman, of Ohio, and of Senators Conkling,
and Carpenter, Congressman Butler and many
other Senators and Representatives. both Demo-
cratic and Republican, Indeed, there is hardly
day during the sessions of the Supreme Court
WHEN one or more Congressman are not present
as counsel in the cases of railroad and other
/ corporations. We do not say that this i. wrong
/ but if Mr.. Blaine is condemned these men
should not escape. There have been other
/ transactions, known to those familiar with
inside tiers at Washington, such as specu a,
tiGn> in Pacific Mail stock, which would not
bear the light of day, and in which Democratic
statesmen figured largely; but 10 one will pre-
tend that Mr.. Blaine had any part in these
transactions. Some of his detractor> did parti-
cipate in them.
! The que stion is narrowed down to this point
Has member of Congress who receives $1,000
per annum for his services the right to exercise
bis business or professional talent in his own
behalf. 1t i, understood, of course that he
will faithfully attend to his duties as a Member
of Congress. If it be decided that he has not
the right. then only rich men. or those who are
not worth $1,000 year in any capacity, can 90
to Congress. There is, however, no such re-
strictiOn and II can readily he seen that it would
be unWi>e 10 MAKE it. Five thousand dollars
year looks large sum On paper to those I'M
familiar with the cost of living in Washington
and with the demands upon the purse of a
/ Congressman. An NJ G.. if married, must
either he deprived of the society of his family
for an average of SIX months in the wear. or
maintain them at heavy cost in Washington
while his house is closed or left to the care of
others. If he leaves his family at home he has
to keep up. practically, two establishments,
Constituents come to Washington in quest of
office. get out of funds, and have to be helped
home; or come sight seeing and expect to be
entertained. There are IA thousand and one de-
melt away despite the Utmost prudence. So
that Congressman with Il family growing up,
/ if h" remains in public life must. unless al
ready wealthy, endeavor to keep up his bust
ness or profession, if he has either. or to make
money in the various channels this growing
country offers to the man of enterprise and
ability.
Let us see what Gen. Hawley, soldier. editor.
Representative and Senator, SAYS on this sub
lect. In recent speech at Albany Senator
Hawley eulogized Blaine in five minutes be-
Grafton. and said his critics had never pointed
out an improper vote of his, and insisted that
be had as much right to buy the bonds as any
one Of his audience had. Ex-Governor Long,
of Massachusetts, also said in speech at Ply
mouth:
That transaction (Little Rock) was bust
ness transaction not connected with any poti.
cal action. Now, people speak of Mr.. Blaine
as though he had been speaker every minute.
/ 1t is not A member of Congress serves
three months one year and six months the 9th
er, ana the remaining nine months and six
months he is at home or away from his duties
AT W a>hngton.
The Boston Advertiser (mugwump) takes
exception to Gov Longs presentation of the
matter and thus lays down the aw-of the In
| dependents; sit is no new principle, and it is
the true one, that d representative of the people
III Congress, or the legislature, should never for
moment forget his position, nor fail to keep
( his hands entirely clear of doubtful schemes
either during the recess or during the session."
| While denying that any such principle exists or
has ever existed, except in the magnations of
those who are seeking to do Mr.. Blaine injury,
we may say: First. that there is nothing to
show that Mr.. Blaine at any time forgot his
! position either as member of the Maine Legis-
/ laure or Of Congress, and that in both bodies
! his record has been creditable to himself and an
honor to bis country; and, secondly, that no
/ law, written or unwrtten. exists which ties
the hands of a man from making provision for
himself or his family while he is member of 4
legislative body. The pretence of the Adye1-
! tiser is absurd. As to doubtful schemes what
business enterprises of any nature are certain
in their results! There is an element of doubt
attending every human endeavor. The farmer
when he plants and sows has no guarantee that
| the harvest will be abundant and profitable