Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1884 — THE SPENCER RIFLE BRIBE. [ARTICLE]

THE SPENCER RIFLE BRIBE.

And the Service Blaine Rendered Therefor. One of the clearest cases of corruption disclosed by the Mulligan letters, says the Chicago News, was Blaine's connection with the Spencer Rifle Company. The evidence is to be found in three letters. In his note to “My dear Mr. Fisher," dated Augusta, Me., Aug. 31,1872, Blaine writes: “As one of the elements [in a settlement] which I wish to take into account is the note of $10,006 given you in 1863 for Spencer stock, I desire that you will furnish me with the items of interest on that note.” Now in 1863, when this note was given, Blaine had been elected to, and was about to take his seat in, the Thirty-eighth Congress. He was elected in November, 1862, and took his seat in December, 1863. For tills Spencer stock Blaine gave his note, which was more than paid by dividends, as is shown by his letter to Fisher dated Augusta, Me., Aug. 9, 1872. In that epistle he says: “You credit me April 26, 1869, with $11,500 dividend from Spencer Company, but there were two subsequent dividends, one of $3,750, the other of $5,800, of which no mention is made in your statement, though I received in June, 1870, your check for $2,700 or $2,800, which was part of these dividends. I believe.” Of course it will be noted that the one dividend of April 26, 1869, amounted to more than the whole note which Blaine gave originally for tlie stock. What Blaine did while in Congress to aid this company in which he had an interest which had not cost him a dollar he tells in his letter of May 26, 1864, as follows: ” Washington, D. C., May 26, 1864. "My Dear Sib: Your favor received. lam very glad, all things considered, that the Government has accepted your proposition to take all your manufacture till Ist of September, 1865. It gives a straight and steady business for the company for a good stretch of time. “In regard to the tax provision, you can judge for yourself, as I send herewith a copy of the bill, as reported-from the Finance Committee of the Senate, and now pending in that body—see pages 148,149, where I have marked. In looking over the bill, you will please observe that all words in italic letters are amendments proposed by the Senate Finance Committee, while all words included in brackets are proposed to be struck out by the same committee. “The provision which you inquire about was not in the original bill, but was an amendment moved from the Ways and Means Committee by Mr. Kasson, of lowa, to whom I suggested, it. It is just and proper in every sense, and will affect a good many interests, including pour company. I am glad to hear such good accounts of your progress in the affairs of the company, of which 1 have always been proud to be a member. "Tell Mr. Wells that his brother has been nominated by the Senate for Commissary of Subsistence. with the rank of Captain. He will undoubtedly be confirmed as soon as his case can be reached. I will advise as soon as it is done. In haste, yours truly, “J. G. Blaine. "Warren Fisher, Jr., Esq.” And yet Blaine impudently tells us that the Mulligan letters disclose no wrong-doing on his parti