The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-07-11
Blaine Conviots Blame.
HIS BOLD AND CoMMENDABLE SENTIMENT
CONFLICTS WITH FACTS.
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
Our esteemed contemporary, the
Eceni,ag Post, in series of articles
in which candor and acuteness have
kept even step, brings out very clearly
the fact that Mr.. Blaine told at differ
ent times two entirely different stories
about his connection with the Little
Rock and Fort Smith speculation. In
other words, leaving out of sight alto
gether the question of his guilt or in
nocence of corruption in that business,
his own statement and the testimony
afforded by the letters which he ad-
mits having written convict him of de-
liberate falsehood.
1t will be remembered that the same
thing happened in the case of several
of the Credit Mobilier congressman
during the investigation that, curious
ly enough, was set on foot by Mr..
Blaine himself. In their ignorance of
the existence of Mr.. Oakes Ames mem
orandum book, some of the senators
and representatives whom Oakes Ames
had bribed, made sworn statements at
the beginning of the investigation
which were utterly demolished by the
production of the record evidence a
few days later. Then they were oblig-
ed to change the defense. The whole
sale denial under oath which had been
the first refuge of the inculpated states
men profited them nothing; in the
light of the subsequent disclosures it
simply added perjury to their load of
shame.
Mr.. Blaine made the same mistake.
In April, 1876, when the report was
first circulated that MIR. Thomas Scott
had taken off his hands, for $64,OOO,
bonds of the Little Rock and Fort
Smith Railroad Company of the face
value of $4,000, Mr.. Blaine hastened
to his feet in the house of representa-
tives with personal explanation. /,
was made on April "a, 1864, and it is
printed on page 2,725 of volume 4
part 3, of the Congressional Record
Mr.. Blaine then said
"The absurd rumor has lately appeared in Ger
tain newspapers that was the owner OF from
$l50,0O0to s25OOO0 OF the Little Rock and tFor
Smith railroad bonds which i received withou
| consideration, and that II was from these bond
that Thomas A. Scott received his SIS 900. IN
statement Is gratutously and utterly false.
'The Little Rock and Fort Smith company re
| ceiyed grant from the state. Finally
toward the close OF 1883 company OF Bosto
gentlemen, representing considerable capital, III
dertook Its construction. In raising the requisit
| means they placed the bonds OF the road on th
New England market In the summer OF 1869, offel
ing them on terms which seemed very favorabl
TO the purchaser, and Offering them at a tim
| when investments OF this kind were fatally popl
lar.
In common lcth hundreds OF other people IN Ne
England ana other parts ortte country, bo1tgl
some o. these bonds-nOt a Ue,y large amount
paying FOR them al precisely me same rates IN
Others pdid.
"a never heard and do not believe that the Lit
Rock Company-which know is controlled /
honorable men-eyer parted with bond TO al
person except at the regular price fixed for Il
sale. My whole connection with the rol
has been open as the day. II there had been an
thing TO conceal about It, / should never ha'
touched II. Wherever concealInent Is deslrab
avoidance is advisable, and do not know any bo
ter test TO apply TO the honor and fairness OF
business transaction"
After putting this noble sentimer
into the form of an apothegm, NJ
Blaine summed up his denial (;
'Instead OF receiving bonds OF the Little Ro
and Fort smith road as gratuity, | never III
one except at the regular market price, and
p9ny, have incurred severe pecuniary lc
from my investment In Its securities, which st
retain. And out OF such affairs as this grows 3
popular gossip OF large fortunes amassed In CO
gressl"
i At the time when Mr.. Blaine mac
this statement in explanation of Il