The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-01-28
MIR. RLAINE's CAREER,

MIR. RLAINE's CAREER,
The Record Of tho GroatOst American
Statesman of His Tlmo-His Public and
Private LiFO-ktIlcd by oyerwort-lIis
Wealth-Tlie Question OF His Religion.
James Gillespie Blaine waa born on
the 9lst of January, 1880, at West
Brownsville, Pa, ina house built by his
great grandfather before the war OF the
revolution, which still stands. The
Giitespies and the Blaines we're people
OF standing before the revolution, COL
onel Blaine, who was commissary gen
eral OF the northern department Of
Washington's army during the revolu.
tion, was James G, Blaine's great grand.
father. When eleven years old Blaine
went to live with his uncle, Thomas
Ewing, in Ohio, whore his mother's
father, Neal Gillespie, an accomplished
scholar, directed his studies, Later
he attended Washington college at
Washington, Pa, graduating at the age
OF seventeen. After leaving college he
taught school at Blue Lake Springs,
Kentucky. 1t was as q professor in the
military school there that he made the
acquaintance OF tho lady who after
ward became his vito. Later he went
to Philadelphia, whore he taught school
and studied law. But alter two years
he abandoned his law studies, went to
Maine and became proprietor and editor
Of the Kennebec Journal. lie was at
the birth OF the Republican party and
was delegate to Philadelphia conven-
ton OF 1866, which nominated Fremont
After serving as speaker Of the Maine
legislature, he was cent to Congress and
began his national career in 1862 with
the outbreak OF tho war, During the
Forty.frst, Forty-second and Forty
third Congresses he was speaker OF the
house.
Mr.. Blaine's administration Of the
speakership is regarded rs one OF tho
most brilliant and successful IN tho an
nails Of the house. He had rare apti-
tude and equipment for the duties OF
presiding officer, and his complete
mastery of parliamentary laws, his dex-
terlty and physical endurance, his rapid
dispatch OF business and his firm and
spirit were recognized on oil
sides. 1t was during his occupancy OF
the speakers chair in 1874 that he took
the floor and succeeded in defeating the
passage OF the original force bill.
The political revulsion OF 1874 placed
tho Democrats in control~of the house
and Mr.. Blaine became the leaderof the
minority. Tho session preceding the
presidential contest OF 1878 was q period
Of stormy aud vehement contest.
THE FAMOUS MULLIGAN IETTEks.
On the second of May resolution
was adopted in the house to investigate
an alleged purchase by tho Union Pa
cifc Railroad Company, at On excessive
price, OF certain bonds of the Little
Rock & Fort Smith railroad. 1t soon
became evident that the investigation
was aimed at Mr.. Blaine. An extended
business correspondence on his part
with Warren Fisher, Of Boston, running
three years and relating to various
had fallen into the hands
OF clerk named Mulligan and it is al
legged that the production Of thiscorres-
pondence would confirm the imputa-
tion against Mr.. Blaine. When Multi
gan was summoned to Washing
ton, Mr.. Blaine possessed HIM
self OF the letters, together with
q memorandum that contained
n full index and abstract. On the fifth
OF June he rose to personal exnlana-
tion and after 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 proposed to
reserve nothing. Holding up tho let
ters he exclaimed: "Thank God, / an
not ashamed to show them. There is
the very original package, aud with
some sense Of humiliation, with NOR
titication / do not attempt to conceal,
with sense OF outrage which think
any man In my position would feel, /
invite the confidence OF forty millions
OF my countrymen while l read those
letters"
The demonstration closed with
dramatic scene. Josiah Caldwell, ono
Of the orlginators OF the l4lttlo Rock y
Fort Smith railroad, who had full
Of the whole transaction,
was travelling in Europe and both sides
were seeking to communicate with him.
After finishing the reading af tho letters,
Mr.. Blaine turned TO the chairman OF
tho committee and demanded TO know
he had received any dispatch
from Mr.. Ualdwell. Receiving an eva
sive answer, Mr.. Blaine asserted as
,,,ikktn ktu a,vo kentt,tadnn kknk kha
had "receiyed such a dispatch
and absolutely exonerating
mo from this charge aud you have sup.
pressed It."
GENT 70 TRE sREATE,
In 1875 Mr.. Blaine was appointed to
the senate 70 I'LL tho vacancy caused by
tho resignation OF Senator Morrill,, and
tho next winlor was elected by tho log
islature to tho succeeding term. His
caroof In tho senate was both brilliant
and distinguished, as II had becn In tho
house. He was called from tho senate
to enter President Garleld's cabinet as
secretary Of stale. II was while pass
Ing through tho railroad depot leaning
on Mr.. Blaiho's arm aud pleasantly
chatting With him about hts coming
holiday that Garfield received tho as
sasslits fatal bullet. Tho death OF Mr.
Garfield lcd to Mr.. Blaino's retirement
from the cabinet In December, 1882.
From that date until he entered Mr..
HarriHon's cabinet a. secretary Of state
he was In private life, except during his
for tho presidency In 1884.
During his retirement hO wrote his
"Twenly Yuars In Congress-" work OF
great historical vAlue.
III Wig In nnnofdanng with hid ofi6ihAi