Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-07-10
A BIT OF SECRET HISTORY.
Worse than the MuIligan Letters.
A Lobbyists Revelations of Mr..
Blaine's Sale of Favors While
Speaker.

Mr.. Charles H. Bergner, of Ham,
burgh, Pennsylvania, a prominent law
yer of that city, has declared he will
not support Blaine. This is his reason,
as given in special to the Pittsburgh
Post:
at is commonly believed" said Mr..
Bergner, "that Mr.. Blaine was defeated
for the nomination in 1876 because he
was obnoxious to the Cameron ring.
There is nothing further from the truth,
and the only color for the statement lies
in the fact that Senator Cameron was
opposed to him. His defeat was accom-
plished by a disclosure made by Will
liam K. Kemble, who was delegate
from the Fourth District, Philadelphia,
and had no reference, direct or indirect,
to the relations between Senator Came
ron and Mr.. Blaine"
"After the sixth ballot had been COM
pleted," continued Mr.. Bergner, sit be-
came evident that the issue would be
decided on the next. The Pennsyl-
vania delegates had been voting for
John F. Hartranft, in obedience to the
resolutions of the State convention. In
order that the State might make itself
felt in the succeeding ballot, the dele
CATION withdrew for consultation.
While they were engaged there the late
Morton McMichael and General Bing-
ham addressed themselves earnestly to
the delegates in advocacy of voting for
Blaine. At the conclusion of Mr.. Nc
Michaers remarks it was evident deep
impression had been made. Just as
the vote was about to be taken Mr..
Kemble arose. He asked the delegates
to pause in the matter, and gave as his
opinion that the nomination of Blaine
would bring defeat to the party. He
referred to the damaging stories that
would be told and to the doubtful re-
cord of Mr.. Blaine had made during
his public life. He drew from his pock-
ct two Cancelled checks and continued:
II never had atty legitimate business
transactions with Mr.. Blaine. The on
ly relations we have ever had are rep
resented by these two checks. They are
signed by me, made payable to his Or
der, and indorsed by him and returned
to me through the ordinary channels of
such things"
when Mr.. Blaine was Speaker OF
the House of Congress was interested
in some pending legislation. I asked
his assistance in the way of favorable
ruling. He agreed to rule as 1 asked
for SIS, 900. 1 paid him the money with
this check exhibiting the $5, 900 check
Subsequently Blaine came to me and
demanded $500 more, and was
obliged to yield, and made the second
payment with this check Exhibiting
the 50 500 check.) Now, said Mr.. KEN
BILE, defy any man to say that | eve
! had any other business transaction VIII
Blaine, and defy any man to dispute
the genuiness of this endorsement ir
BIaine's handwriting. If he is nom
mated by this convention I will give
these facts to the public and defeat il
certain to follow. 1have no objection
to buying a man, but l do complain
that he wouldn't stay bought and re
quired second payment.
"The effect of this speech was electri
cal," continued Mr.. Bergner. "Whel
Kemble sat down he handed the cancele
checks around among the delegates an
> they were examined carefully and crit
cally. I had them in my hand and ar
, satisfied that they were genuine. I'm
: mediately after the vote was taken an
y the delegation decided to cast its vot
! for Hayes. That vote decided the issu
!. !. against Blaine"