The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-01-28

Mr.. Blaine was chosen speaker OF the
hoase of representatives in 1863, and served
by successive reflections for six years.
His administration of the speakership is
commonly regarded as one of the most
brilliant and successful in the annals OF the
house. He had rare aptitude and equip
ment for the duties of presiding officer.
and his complete mastery of parliamentary
law, his dexterity and physical endurance.
his rapid dispatch of business and his firm
and impartial spirit. wera recognized on oil
sides. Though necessarily exercising a
powerful influence upon tho cou so Of leg
i~slation, he seldom left the chair to mingle
in the contests of the floor. GA one of
those occasions. in March. 1871. he had a
ehHrp tilt with Gen. Butler. who had criti.
cisad him for being the author of the reso-
luton providing for an investigation into
alleged outTages perpetrated upon loyal
citizens of the south, and for being chiefly
instrumental in securing its adop-
ton by the republican caucus. The
political revulsion of 1884 placed the
democrats III control of the house, and
Mr.. Blaine became the ieoder Of the miu-
GRITTY. The session prece ling the presidsn-
tisl contest of 1876 WAS a period of stormy
and vehement contention. A general am-
nesty bin was brought forward removing
the political disabilities OF participants in
the rebellion which had been imposed by
the fourteenth amendment TO the copstitu-
ton. Mr.. Blaine moved to amend by max
ing an exception Of Jefferson Davls and
supported the proposition in an i'm pas
aioned speech. The reason was. not that
Davis was tho chief Of the confederacy,
but that. AS Mr.. Blaine affirmed, he was the
author, Knowingly, deliberately, guilty.
and w%ilfully, of the gigantic murders and
crimes OF Andsrsonvllle." Benjamin ii.
Hill, OF Geo gan, assumed tho lead on the
other side, and not only defended Davis
against tho accusations, which he pro-
BOUNCED unfouuded, but preferred similar
charges against tbs treatment of southern
Itrsoaers II Sac north. In reply, Mr.. Elaine
termed uEon Mr.. Hi! with tie citation of q
resolution introduced by him in the con-
tederate senate, providing that every sol-
aies or officer o. the United States cap
tUrsd upon tAs soil of tAo confederate
Htasea should be presumed TO have coma
with intent to incite Insurrsction, and
hhou!d sutG- tbs penalty of death.
This episode arrested Upiye Va! attention,
and gave NJ. Blaine c Sill stronger hold as
3 Leader OF mis- pgyty. lie LOW became the
subject Of 4 violent personal assault.
GEar2eR we're circulated that he had .e-
ce.ysd $Gi, coo from the Union Pacific Eail-
ioad CD!l auT tor soma underlined sory!ces.
On ~ . y, 1916, he roso 10 q personal *
I!anation IL ths heuse aud inside his an.
swer. lie proGQood letters from tie officers
O. the Company and from bankers wIc
wtrs said to have negotiated TIA draft, IN
which tn6y declared that ther, had never
been any such TRANSACTION, and that MIR
EtsIHe lad ueysr received q dollar FROM tht
company. MIR. Blame proceeded to ado
thnt Vie charge bad reappegCod IN the foru
o. an assertion tkRs LIS ERG reGEIead boadi
of the Littis Eock d Fort Smith railroad ii
y guaranty. and that tasse bonds had hee,
soIi through the Union Pacific coLI an
for his benefit. To this hS responded tn q
ho lsvos Laa any such bonds except ut tbr
market price, and Tart, ingtend Of DERIVING
any lroLt from thSIl, ~ h&! incurred
large leCuntaTy loss.
6n Nay . 2 resolution was adopted IN tn
housa 10 ip~vostigate En- alleged purchase b.
tins Lnion Pacific Railroad COMPANY, At x.
excessive price, OF certsiR bonds OF th
Little Rock u Fort smith rsilroad. !
soon boaeme evident that tho iuyeasisstiol
vas aimed Mt M. .itrlae. An extenGe,
bnsInsss co 'respundsncs on ais part will
Warren Fisher, of Bogton, rurnia
Though years anu rotating to various trnnz
Hct on4. had fallen into the hands of
cierk named hul!iRea, anu " wRa ailara
tina: the production o! This correspondent
would conf IA tie nputst4ous aRaIust NJ
Blanc. When moli.GST WA summoned Z
Washington Mr.. Blaine possessed ai.nss
o! the letters, together VITA - Lremo:EEGuE
tsat contained II full index sn4 ahBtrac,
On june D To rose 10 a personal exp!sp.
iion, and, after deuT4ug tho power % I'll
house TO compel tte PRODUCTION of hi
private papers. GHa Ais willingness
to 20 any extremity in defence of HI
Fights, ha declared his purpose to resevy
nothing. Josiah Caldwell. ous OF the or
iy,irators Of she LIttis Rock & Fort scot
railroad, who mad full knowledge of III
whole transaction, was iraVelias IN Earop