New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-30
by TELEGRAPH TO THE rRBUSE.I

| Mr. EDMUNDS WRITES TO Mr.. PHELPS, But MAKES
NO DENIAL-MR. BLAINE NOT AFFECTED BY THE
ISLANDERS
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBCSEI
WASHINGTON, April 29.-The Phelps letter and
the position in which it has put Mr.. Edmunds
time to be the talk of the town. 1t is learned that
Mr.. Edmun1s has written q letter TO Mr.. Phelps,
which not only does not deny the purchase by him
Of an interest in the Burlington and Missouri Rail-
road in 1869 but unequivOcally admits this to 10
the fact Great stress is laid by Mr. Edmuuds it
is understood, upon the fact that his purchase
made months after legislation favorable
TO the road had been obtained from Com
gress. This is precisely the course pursued by Mr.
Blaine. His interest in the Fort Smith and Little
Rock Railroad not acquired until long after
legislation had been had upon this road in Congress;
and why what appears to some people as emlnently
proper in Mr. Edmundss should not appear to
them equally as proper in the case of MIR. Blaine,
friends of the latter fail to understand.
II is also said. ard upon good authority that Mr.,
Edmunds, at the time he voted to confirm tine grant
of the Burlington and Missouri road, a holder
of ITS stock, but that his ownership was not dis
closed because the shares were held in trust for him
by some other person. Even the suggestion made
by Mr.. Blaiucs slandcrers that he used his infu-
ence in shaping legislation favorable 10 a railroad
in order to acquire at some future time either its
bonds or its stock could with equal justice be
made with regard TO Mr. Edmunds The action OF
the Vermont Senator in the Burlington and Missouri
matter il is generally conceded admits of precisely
the same Interpretation that was put by malicious
persons upon the action of Mr. Blaine in acquiring
a legitimate interest in the Fort Smith aud Little
Rock Railroad in a legitimate manner.
The general impression prevails that if the bject
Of the attack upon Mr. Blaine was TO crush
him or to injure his prospects as
candidate for the Presidential nomination at Chi:
cagOit failed most ludIcrOusly. The effect or
such tactics" remarked prominent politician to-
day, is always the same-they always mlScalTy.
The ISLANDERS heaped upon Garfield when candi:
date before the people made friends for him and
did not benefit his enemies. The accusation
directed toward Blaine will only make his support
ers the more determined in their efforts TO
have, some respect PAID to the wishes OK
choice Blaine undoubtedly is. They mean 10 have
him forther leader and they will succeed. The
more respectable element among them II VIII Do
ju,t as it was with Garfield. The '329' business
didn't work II disease 1t would be folly them osuP-
pose that those exploded stories aoout MI Bl3lhes
alleged crOokcdness as Speaker would have any cf-
feet. The iudiScreet supporters Of Nlr Ednunds,
who evidently are not aware that they killing
their candidate while laborlng hard 10 destroy
another do not seem to recognize this They VIII
come to bitter knowledge Of the fac pretty soon,
however and will see for themselves what folly
A ASenator said: This is all burnt powder IL
has been used once before, aud pretty long ago 40
that II can't be set off again. II certainly VIII
not make any noise In my State, and all through
the Northwest, it will not change single vote or
lose Mr. Blaine single friend. On the contrary it
will bring his supporters together, and make them
more eager to work in the interest of
the leader of their choice. Mr.. Ed-
mundss relation with great corpotatlons
made hlm intensely unpopular in the West and |
hardly think that he could command the full sup
port Of the Republican vote west of the Alleghenes
should he be the nominee of the Chicago cOnyen-
ton. But that chance has now believe, passed
awav."
some speculation is induged in as to whether
Mr.. Edmuuds will llmakc public tie contents of his
letter to Mr. Phelps lie sent It by messenger this
forenoon and in return was Informed by Mr.. Phelps
that It's publication rested entirely with him.
Those who have seen II declare that il doesnt affect
in the least the statement made by MI Phelps IN
regard to Mr. EdmundS. On the contrary II con-
firms in cycrr c.."ntill detail what M PHclps said
in regard to the senator's purchase oi Burlington
and Missouri bonds and makes II peri 'ctl, plain,
upon Nr. Eimrnd>'s own showing, that hs position
aud that of MI Blaine were precisely The same.