The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-08-29
Blaine's Railroad Passes.
WHAT CAME OF LoANING ONE or THEM
TO HIS SECRETARY.

| TO HIS SECRETARY.
The following article, which we TAX,
from the Philadelphia Record, exhib
its James G. Blaine as dishonest
despicably mean, cheeky and corrupt
public servant, unworthy of filing the
lowest Office in the community instead
of the highest in the Union lie threat
ems, through "friend,' his vote and
influence against tie railroad if bis
pass was not renewed. Read it, pom
der over it and ask yourself if such a
man is fit 70 receive the vote of any
honest man. The Record says
During the service of James G.
Blaine as Speaker of the House OF
Representatives, among the passes
which he held over different lines OF
railroads was one over the Philadel.,
Wilmington & Baltimore railroad com.
pany's line. This pass was renewed
every year, and the printed conditions
upon its back contained the statement
in bold letters that If it was transferred
it would be forfeited. Mr.. Blaine rode
upon this pass so often that the con.
ductors on the road became familiar
with its face.
There was no trouble with the pass
until 1870. Mr. Blaine was then in
the very plentitnde of his political pow
er his influence was at Its zenith, and
when stranger appeared ON the train
of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and
Baltimore railroad with the pass OF
Speaker Blaine in his possession he
was informed that the pass would be
taken up and that he must pay his fare
or get off the tran. He preferred to
pay his fare and continue the ride.
A few days after that the President
of the company was in receipt of let.
ter from Mr.. Blaine stating that he
was sorry if he had violated any rule
of the company, but that he had loan
ed his pass to his secretary without a
knowledge of the fact that it was ''not
transferable" The pass was forwarded
to Mr.. Blaine again, and he was told
that the company always took up pass
es when they were rendered by any
one but the person in whose name they
were made out, and that he should read
the conditions under which it was is
sued.
1t was not very great while after
this that the pass was again presented
by the secretary of Mr.. Blaine, and as
before, it was taken up, and turned in
to the office of the company. Not
many days afterward the officers of the
company received letter from Wash
ington from friend of Mr.. Blaine's
stating that he was sorry the pass had
been taken up, but that Mr.. Blaine de-
sired its return. BY this time the Pres
ident of the company had not only lost
patience in the matter, but was sur
prised that person of Mr.. Blaine's in
telligence should have treated the pass
as he had done. He also wrote to
Washington expressing his feelings
and stating that he felt hurt, and init
mating that there would be no chance
for a repetition of the offense.
This was the beginning of a CORES
pondence, and among the correspond.
ence were letters from several persons
acting in the interest of Mr.. Blaine, and
authorized to speak for him. They
stated that the railroad company was
pursuing very foolish policy, and in.
timated in terms which were unmista
kable desired the aid of Mr.. Blaine
instead of his opposition, it would be
we'll to comply with his request for re.
turn of the pass.
An officer of the company who fur
nishes the information, stated
day in relating the circumstances to a
reporter of the Record that it was at a
time when the company had large in.
terests before Congress. 1t was inter.
ested in the Mail Service bills and also
in the proposed National Line of rail
way from Washington to Philadel.
phia, New York, Boston and other
points. The success of the latter
scheme would have been largely preiu
dicial to the welfare of both the Phila.
delphia, Wilmington & Baltimore and
the Baltimore & Ohio railroad compa
nies. Both of these companies at the
time of the correspondence with Mr.
Blaine and his friends were using theil
utmost efforts to defeat the scheme OF
the National Line of railroad especially
"We certainly did not desire the op
position of the Speaker of the House
with all of his influences" said the off
Ger of the company. He then contin
ued II conferred with the Baltimore
u Ohio people and told them that oul
road was certainly entitled to some re
spect; but measuring our strength
found that we could not afford to incul
any opposition. On the 9th of July
1870, reluctantly complied with tin
request af Mr.. Blaine and Forwarded
him the pass through the Hon. II
Twichel, of Massachusetts, We retain
ed Mr.. Blaines friendship, but at cos
more bitter than ones honor and dig
nifty like to pay very often