Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1893-02-03

James Gillespie Blaine was born on the
9lst OF January, 1880 at West Brownsville,
Penn. in house built by his great-graud-
father before the War OF the Revolution,
which still stands. Thu Gillespies and B,aines
were people Of standing before the Revolu-
ton. Colonel Blaine, who was commlssary-
general of the Northern Department OF
Washington's army during the Revolution.
was James G. Blaine's great-grandtather.
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 tau yht school at
Blue Lick Springs KY. 1t was as a 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 studio law.
But after two years he aban lionel law stud
les, went to Maine. and became proprietor
and editor of the Kennebec Journal.
At the birth Of the Republican Party he
wos delegate to the Philadelphia Conven-
ton in 1856, which nominated Fremont.
After serving as Speaker of the Maine Leg
islature, he was sent to Congress and began
his National career in 1882, with the out
break of the war. During the Forty-hrst
/ Forty-second and Forty-thirl Congresses he
was Speaker OF the House.
| Mr.. Blaine's administration Of the Speak
ership 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, an
his complete mastery of Parliamentary law,
his dexterity and physical endurance his
rapid dispatch of business and his firm and
| impartial spirit were recognized on all sides.
1 1t was during his occupancy OF the SPEAK
er's chair in 1874 that he took the floor an
succeeded in defeating the passage OF the
original Force bill"
/ The political revulsion of 1874 placsd the
Deplocrats in control of the House, and MIR.
Blaine became the leader OF the minority.
The session preceding the Presidential con-
test OF 1876 was pero1 OF stormy and We
hement contention. On the OF May
resolution was adopted in the House to In =
vestigate an alleged purchase by the Union
| Pacific Raiirou Company of certain bonds
of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad
! Company. 1t soon became evident that the
investigation was aimed at Mr. Blaine. An
EXTENDED business correspondence on his
part with Warren Fisher, o: Boston, run
/ mug through years anu IeIuIlu6 W va iOu'
transactions, had fallen into the hands OF a
clerk named Mulligap, and it was alleged
that the production Of this correspondence
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 9Th Of June. 1879, he rose to q personal
explanation, and alter denying the power
OF the House to compel the production
Of his private papers, and his willingness to
60 to any extremity in defense OF 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 60 conceal
with sense OF outrage which think any
man In my position would feel, | invite the
confidence OF 40, 600 900 Of my couutrymen
while [ read these letters from my desk. !"
The demonstration closed with a dramatic
scene. Josiah Caldwell, one Of the origlna-
tors of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Rail
road, who had full knowledge Of the whole
transaction, was travelling in Europe and