The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-10-21
WHAT ANSWER
Did the Republican Can
didate Give
To Some Leading Questions Upon the
Absorbing Tariff Issue,
And as to His Membership in the Cob.
den Free Trade Club?
EXCUSE Me- GOOD Day" Was the
Sole Reply Of the Gallant
General G.,
And then He Ran Away as Fast
as His Legs Could
Carry Him,

Cleveland, Ohio, October 18-At o recent meet.
ing Of the Directors Of the National Associated
Press 1t was decided to dispatch special agent of
the Association to General Garhelds residence,
near Mentor, for the purpose Of making every pos
sible effort to procure brlei and concise state.
ment on the tariff issues from the Republican
candidate. Mr., R, T, Paine, jr city editor Of the
Press of this city was chosen to act in this capacl
ty, and to- day visited the Garfield Homestead with
a prepared list Of questions, among which were
the following
why, in 1854, did you vote to reduce the duty
on railroad iron from eighty to sixty cents per
hundTedP
"Will you explain the following extract from
speech delivered by you in 1866, and Published in
the Congressional Record Of the same Year, 4 am
willing, as a compromise to favor the reduction
on railroad iron. think we should also reduce
the proposed duty on salt, and have no doubt in
several other particulars we should reduce the
rate Of duty"
"In 1866 you said In answer to speech deliver
ed by Thsddeus Stevens: 'ARsiast the abstract
doctrine Of free trade, as such, very little can be
said AS theory 1t has much to commend it. It
can never be applied to values except In time Of
peace"
During debate in Congress in 1870 you are
credited with saying: Nor will 1t be denied that
large majority OF the great thinkers Of the day
leading in the direction of what is called free
ira ie, and much can be Eaid In Its favor"
"In 1872 you voted yes on a bill In which It
was proposed on and after August 1st, to make
rebate OF ten per cent OF all duties On wool iron
and steel, and everything Of like composition ex.
cept cotton machinery"
What have you to say to pamphlet circulated
In Maine, in which 1t Is stated that In 1879 Con.
Rressman Lynch introduced a bill which you
supported iLstructing the Secretary of the Trea
sury to pay re bate, equal to the duties collected
on nuts, bolts and other articles which enter
into the composition Of ships and other build
ings2"
Are you member Of the Golden Free Trade
Club Of EnglandH
When Mr., Paine entered the residence Of Mr..
Garfield he was shown into the psrlor, where
dozen or more people were found in waiting
Among these was Major Mckinley. On inquiry
1t was learned that Garfield was ClOseted with a
gentleman in an adjoining room, and consequent
ly 1t was found to be Captain Henry, special
agent Of the PostOttice Department, who Is station
ed at Cleveland, and who, since the nomination
| has acted as body guard to the candidate. He
is found with him on all occasions, and seems to
thoroughly understand the duties he is expected
to perform II Mr.. Garfield can not eude re-
step In and break the charm and carry off his
master on some seemingly very important errand.
These two gentlemen were In consultation when
dinner was announced, and on invitation Of Mrs
Garfield ALL with the exception Of Mr., Paine ad.
jOurned to the dining room.
A few seconds later Mr.. Garfield entered the
room where Mr.. Paine was seated appearing very
much agitated. He talked In low and excited
tone, and walked nervously about the floor, fol.
lowed closely by Henry Mr.. Paine stepped for.
ward and asked for few moments private con-
versatiOn which the General seemed extremely
reluctant to grant. However, he walked to the
opposite side Of the apartment and turning to his
visitor, said, almost gruffiy, well, what do you
WanlF
Mr. Paine then stated the object of his visit in
as few words as possible, and as he afterward said
was alarmed to see a severe and angry expression
creep into ibe face Of Garfield, who said in hur
Iied undeTtone:
Il shall say nothing. l never say anything to
anybody on political question. What l have to
say | say in public"
DO you refuse to give the voters of the country
your exact position on these issues2' was the next
question, whereat the disturbed candidate said,
sharply:
1 refuse to say anything at ALL
"rhe Democracy claim you have been incOnsis.
tent" began Mr.. Paine, but before he could pro-
coed any further, Garfield turned about, and with
the words, Excuse me- good day." rushed away
In hot and ill-mannered haste. The newspaper
man waited for an hour or more in the hope Of
finding the General In better humor, but II avail
ed him nothing The Republican leader carefully
avoided him, and up to the hour OF the reporter
leaving continued in earnest and evidently uu.
pleasant conversation with his man Henry.