The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-09-11
THE BLAINE SCANDAL.
More Light on the Sensation.

More Light on the Sensation.
From the Galveston News.
MERIDIAN, TEX, September T.
Mr.. A. j. Randall is merchant at this
place, and is noted for his quiet mod
esty and reserve, as well as for his
excellent character as man and citi-
zen. He is pronounced democrat,
but one of that stamp who would pre-
fer defeat in political contest rather
than victory obtained by d'shonera-
BILE or unworthy methods. He was a
pupil of the Western Military insti-
tute, at Drennon Springs, KY, at the
professor in the institution.
The News reporter having seen a
special telegram in the Dallas Herald
and similar one in the Houston
Post, purpoting to give an interview
with Mr.. Randall concerning the
Blaine scandal, called on him to secure
an accurate statement of his knowlege
of the matter. His natural repug-
nance to any kind of notoriety, es-
pecially in a case of this character,
inclined him to refuse, but finally
out of a desire to promote the
ends of justice and truth, he consent
ed to favor the reporter with state
ment of his knowledge of the affair. |
He first stated that the alleged inter-
view in the Dallas Herrld and Hoas- |
ton Post was unauthorized, and was
in many features incorrect. Early in |
the year 1851 he went from Logans- |
port, De Soto parish, louisiana, and en- |
tered the Western Military institute
at Denison Springs, KY, remaining |
about year. Major James q. Blaine |
was then professor in the school.
All Re (RandaD ever knew about the
alleged seduction was the current gos-
sip he heard when he entered the
school. The scandal was then fresh,
and the substance OF it was improper
relations had existed between Major
Blaine and Miss Stanwood. 1t was
talked of great deal, but to show /
how utterly groundless it was then
regarded, it is sufficient to say that
out of $50 cadets registered in the in
stitute from all parts of the country
there was, to his knowledge, not one
who believed it. 1t was regarded as
slander such as may arise Concerning
any lady and gentleman between
whom the proper relations of a be-
trothal exist, and who may happen to
become the victims of an Idle and ma
licious gossip.
1--WE ALL" said Mr.. Randall, 'looked
upon Major Blaine as high-toned,
honorable and refined gentleman"
"rhey have it down wrong" said he,
"abou5 his being married in 1851. He
was single man during the entire
time OF my stay in the institute l
entered it April 6, 1851, and left in
February, 1852. He could not have
been married man during this time.
because it was commonly understood
differently by everybody connected
with the school. During the first
summer after 1 went there, 1 spent
the vacation at Newcastle, little
place about ten miles from Drennon
Springs. and Major Blaine and man
named Evans taught a school there
which attended. Thus l saw him
constantly, and was in a position to
know that he could not have been
married"
Mr.. Randall explained further that
the scandal originated, if his memory
served him correctly, at Georgetown,
just little while before he entered
the institute; and if there had been
any real foundation for it, he thought
it would then have appeared. After
his return home his father moved to
Bryan, Texas, and, after he arrived
here, he heard of the marriage of Ma
jor Blaine as having occurred after his
departure from the institute.