Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-08-15

The story of the Mulligan letters is
briefly told They were letters written
by Mr. Blaine to Mr.. Fishsr concerning
land grant railroad stocks and bonds,
and they were held. with Fishers con.
sent, BY his bookkeepsr, James Mulligan.
In 1879 Morton, Conkling aud Blaine
were candidates for the Republican
nomination, with the chances three to
two In favor of Blaine against the field.
Morton. to kill Blaine. started number
Of railroad Investigations in the Demo
cratic) House which brought ont dam.
aging charges against the ex-Speaker.
The Democrats had nothing to do with
the Republican family quarrel at first,
and permitted the Republicans to fight
it out among themselves. After having
been for four weeks under fire, Blaine
made a personal statement to the House
which was general denial, and for four
weeks more tho investigation dragged
on, Democrats taking little or no interest
in it.
May 30 the Sub-Judiciary Committee
(instigated thereto by Senator Morton)
summoned Warren Fisher, Jr., OF Bos.
ton, contractor for building the Fort
Smith 4 Little Rock Railroad, who sold
out his contract to Josiah Caldwell land
didn't get the money!, and James Multi
gan Of Boston, Treasurer of the Globe
Theater, who had been Mr.. Fishers
bookkeeper. Fisher and Blaine had had
Il l.. e..
These witnesses were called to testify in
relation TO certain bonds and stocks al.
legged to have been sold or given to Mr..
Blaine, and particularly in regard to
S64 900 bond Tom Scott had exchanged
for Northern Pacific bonds for Mr..
Blaine. They were very unwilling wit
nesses. Muiligan admitted the sale of
Fert Smith bonds TO Blaine and various
sales and transfers. but knew nothing
material. Fisher admitted selling vari.
Gus blocks Of stock to Mr.. Blaine, but
denied giving him $3.50, 900 in bonds
without consideration. Mulligan was
ordered to appear before the committee
the next day.
When the committee met the next
morning Mr.. Mullgan startled the com.
hiitttc auu Vic WIN btoiH
which is outlined in the following;
A ssociated Press Dispatch, Washington,
June |, 1876,
James Mulligan said he wanted to make
statement before continuing his examination.
lie said that when he arrived here q note came
down from Mr.. Blaine requesting the witness
and Mr.. Fisher to call at his house; witness de-
clined to 80. but Mr.. Fisher went. After witess
testified yesterday, Mr. Blaine called upon him
his possession and wanted witness 10 give them
up TO him, but witness declined to do so. Wit
ness said Mr.. Blaine almost got down on his
knees and pleaded for the letters, saying they
would ruin him for life, and when witness fur
ther declined Mr.. Blaine asked him 70 think OF
his wife and six children. He besought witness
and almost contemplated su eide He offered 10
get him consulship In return for the letters.
Witness allowed Mr.. Blaine 10 take them under
pledge that he would return them. lie looked
them over and did return them. This was in the
presence OF Mr.. Fisher and Mr.. Atkins. Witness
then retired to his room and Blaine followed him
and wanted 10 look at the letters again. Wiz
ness allowed Mr.. Blaine 70 take them, and Mr.
Blaine refused to return them and still retains
them. There were about eighteen letters
Mr.. Blaine, sworn in rebuttal, admit.
ted the interview, admitted taking the
letters, admitted that he had them in
possession; but denied having gone down
on his knees, or having said they would
ruin him, or having offered the consul
ship. His motive for keeping them he
explained as follows:
Muhgan said he did not know what might
transpre In his examination 10 day and that he
was going Nv hold these letters for his own pro.
lection and ,indieation. l said 10 him: "Under
these circumstances will not give these letters
mp" and said. Il will not return these letters
because YOU threaten To make . use Of them
which Is illegitimste, aud have no Idea that any