Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-02-04

James Gillespie Blains was born on the
3lst of January, 1880, at West Brownsville.
Penn. in house built by his great-grand-
father before the War of thu Revolution,
which still stands. Ths Gillespies AMI Blaines
were people of standing beeors the Rsvolu-
ton. Colonel Blaine, who was c0mmissary-
general of the Northern Department of
Washington's army during the Revolution,
was James G. Blaine's great-grandfather.
When eleven years old, he went to live with
dncle, 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 tau ght school at
Blue Lick Springs, KY. 1t was as a profess
for in the military school there that he made
the acquaintance OF the LADY, school
teacher from Maine-who afterward became
his wife Later he went to Philadelphia,
where he taught scaool aud studie law.
But after two years he abandoned law stud
les, went to Maine. and became proprietor
end editor of the Kennebec Journal.
At the birth OF the Republican Party he
was a delegate to the Philadelphia Conven-
lion in 1856, which nominated Fremont.
After serving as Speaker of the Maine Leg
isature, he was sent to Congress and began
his National career in 1862, with the out
break of the war. During the Forty-irst
Forty-s2cond and Forty-thiri Congresses he
was Speaker of the House.
Mr. Blaine's administration of the Speak
ership is commonly regarded as ons OF the
most brilliant and uccsssful i'll the annals or
the House. He had rare aptitude and equip
ment for the duties of presiding officer, and
mis- complete mastery of Parliamentary law,
his dexterity and physical endurance, his
rapid dispatch of buSin ess, and his firm and
impartial spirit were recognized on all SIDES.
It was during his occupancy OF ths Sp.ak-
sr's chair in 1874 that he took the toor an 4
iucceedei in defeating the passage OF the
riginal Force bill"
The political revulsioa Of 1874 placsd the
Democrats in control of the House, and Mr..
Baine becama the leader OF the minority.
The session preceding the Presidential con-
test of 1876 was psrio OF stormy an We
hement contention. Ga the 2 OF May
resolution was adopted in the House to in
vestigate an alleged purchase By tae Union
Pacific Railrou Company of certain bonds
of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad
Company. 1t soon became evident that tne
Investigation was aimed at Mr.. Blaine. An
EXTENDED business correspondents on his
part with Warren Fisher, OF Boston, run
ming through years and relating to various
clerk named Mulligan, AMI it was alleged
that the production OF this correspondence
would confirm the imputatioa against Mr..
Blaine When Mulligan was summoned to
Washington Mr.. Blaine possessed himself OF
the letters. together with memorandum
that containei full index and abstract. GA
the 5th of June 1876, he rosa to personal
explanation, AMI alter denying the power
of the House to compel the production
i,iS mil ,frra - n
20 to any extremity in defense or his rights,
he declared that he propose to reserve moth
ing. Holding up the letters he exclaimed;
Thank God, | am not ashamed to show
them. There is the very original package
And with some sense OF humiliation, with a
modification do not attempt TO conceal,
with a sense Of outrage which think any
man in my position would feel, invite the
confidence o. 40, 600, 900 OF my couutrymen
while read these letters from my desk."
The demon stration closed with dramatic
scene Josiah Caldwell, one of the origina-
tors of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Kali
road, who had full knowle lgs OF the whoie
transaction, was travelling in Europe ana
both sides we're seeking to communicate
with him. After Flushing the reading or
the letters Mr.. Blaine turned to the Caalr-
man of the Committee and demanded to
know whether he bad received any dispatch
from Mr. Caldwell. Receiving an evaslve
answer Mr.. Blaine asserted, as within his
own knowledge, that the Chairman had re-
ceivei such a dispatch completely and ao-
solutely generating ms from this charge
and you have suppressed it"
In 1876 Mr. Blaine was apponte to the
Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the re'
signation of Senator Morrill,, AMI the next
winter was elected By the Legislature to the
succeeding term. His career in the Senat,
was both brilliant and distinguis red, as 1t
had been in the House. He was called from
the Senate to enter President Garheld,s
Cabinet as Secretary OF State. twas while
passing through the railroad depot leaning
on Mr.. Blaiue's arm and pleasantly chatting