The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-02-15
JAMES @. BLAINE-FRoM HIS LAST PHOTO
GRAPH, TAKEN IN 1892.

JAMES @. BLAINE-FRoM HIS LAST PHOTO
GRAPH, TAKEN IN 1892.
James Gillespie Blaine was born on the
Il; 81st Of January, 1880, at West Brownsville,
Penn. in house built by his great-grand.
father before the War Of the Revolution,
which still stands. The Gillespies and Blaines
were people of standing before the Rsvolu-
tion. Colonel Blaine, who was commissary-
general Of the Northern Department of
Washington's army during the Revolution.
was James q. Blains's great-grandfather.
When eleven years old, he went to live with
uncle. Thomas Ewing, in Ohio, where his
mothers father, Neal Gillespie, an accom-
plished scholar, directed his studies. Later
he attended Washington College, at Wash
ington, Penn, graduating at the age OF sew
enteen.
After leaving college be taught school at
Blue Lick Springs KY. It was as protes-
sor in the military school there that he made
the acquaintance Of the lady-a school
teacher from Maine-who afterward became
his wife. Later he went to Philadelphia,
where he taught school and studied law.
But after two years he abandoned law stud
les. went to Maine, and became proprietor
and editor Of the Kennebec Journal.
At the birth Of the Republican Party he
was a delegate to the Philadelphia Conven-
ton in 1856, which nominated Fremont.
After serving as Speaker Of the Maine Leg
isiature, he was sent to Congress and began
break of the war. During the Forty-hrst
Forty-second and Forty-third Congresses hs
was Speaker OF the House.
Mr.. Blaine's administration OF the Speak
ership is commonly regarded as one or the
most brilliant and successful in the annals OF
the House. He hail rare aptitude aud equip.
ment for the duties Of presiding officer, and
his complete mastery OF Parliamentary law,
his de1terity and physical endurance, his
rapid dispatch Of business, and his hrm and
impartial spirit were recognized on all sides.
er's chair in 1874 that he took the floor AMI
succeeded in defeating the passage OF the
original "Forca bill"
The political revulsion Of 1874 placed the
Democrats in control of the House, and Mr..
Blaine became the leader OF the minority.
The session preceding the Presidential con-
test Of 1876 was period Of stormy and We
hement contention. On the 21 OF May
resolution was adopted in the House to IN =
vestigate an alleged purchase by the Union
Pacific Railroad Company OF certain ponds
of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad
Company. It soon became evident that the
investigation was aimed at Mr.. Blaine. An
extended business correspondence on MS
part with Warren Fisher, OF Boston, run
ming through years and relating to various
transactions, had fallen into the hands OF q
clerk named Mulligan, and it was alleged
that the production OF this correspondents
would confirm the imputation against Mr..
Blaine. When Mulligan was summoned to
Washington Mr.. Blaine possessed himself OF
the letters, together with memorandum
that contained full index and abstract. On
the 5th Of June. 1875, he rose to q personal
explanation, and after denying the power
of the House to compel the production
of his private papers, and his Willingness to
lgo to any extremity In defense OF his rights,
he declared that be proposed to reserve nosh-
ing. Holding up the letters he exclaimed:
"Thank God, am not ashamed to sho"
them. There Is the very original package
And with some sense Of humiliation, with a
modification do not attempt TO conceal,
with sense OF outrage which think any
man in my position would feel, invite the
confidence OF 40, 600, 600 of my countrYmen
while read these letters from my desk"
The demonstration closed with 9 dramatic
scene Josiah Caldwell, one Of tho origlna-
tors of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Rall-
road, who had full knowledge of the whole
transaction, was travelling in Europe and