Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-06-17
The Garfield Scandals.

by the Republican National Conven-
ton, at Chicago, an article appeared
in the New York San which has at
tracted widespread attention. The
connection of Gariield's name with the
Credit Mobilier and DE Golyer sean
dals had not been forgotten, though it
is altogether probable that the majori-
ty of the delegates of the convention
never thought of his unsavory and
recordsin these particulars
when they placed him in nomination,
or they would never have jumped so
readily to his support when the de-
cisive moment came upon them. The
following is the article to which we
refer:
"Gen. James A. Garfield, Of Ohio, was
nominated for president by the conven.
ton at Chicago on the thirty.sixth bal.
lot yesterday. In making the nomina
ton the supporters of Mr.. Blaine took
the lead, and the other anti Grant ele
ments in this convention promptly fol-
lowed. The imperialist phalanx re-
mained unbroken, and stubbornly cast
three hundred and six votes for Grant
down to the very end.
In considering this nomination, we
desire first of all to thank God for the
defeat of Grant and the decisive over.
throw of the third term conspiracy. 1t
is an event over which the American
people in a body may we'll offer up re.
joicings to heaven and the friends OF
liberty and of the rights of man in all
nations under the sun, should join with
them in the manifestations of their
heartfelt gratitude.
But is General Garfield such n man
that patriotic citizens of the United
States can we'll and wisely support him
for President Can the executive au.
thority of the republic be safely en-.
trusted TO him? These are the questions
which every voter should now ask 4; and
we answer calmly and emphatically
that he is not such q mas.
The character of General Garfield can
be judged by the following conspicuous
facts
When, in 1873, the Credit. Mobilier
bribery and corruption among members
of Congress were first exposed, General
Garfield was one among those accused.
lie Immediately published letter ex.
pressly and positively denying that he
had any share in it. Next, on January
II, 1873, he appeared before the com.
mittee of the House of Representative,
and under oath declared 81 never
owned, received, or agreed to receive
any stock of the Credit Mobilier, or of
the Union Pacific railroad, nor any
dividend or profits arising from either
OF them"
But on January % next following,
the Hon. Oakes Ames was examined
before the same committee, and proved
by secondary evidence, partly in Gen.
Garfield's own handwriting, that Gener.
al Garfield had had stock in the Credit
Mobilier, and that he had received divi.
dends thereupon. Mr.. Ames also testi-
fed that Gen. Garfield had visited him
subsequent to the commencement OF
the investigation by the House, and had
endeavored to induce him 10 swear be.
fore the committee that money thus
paid him as dividends had been delv.
cred to him as loan and yet at the
very same time that he had endeavored
to procure this false testimony from Mr..
Ames, Gen. Garfield had called upon
Ames to pay him an additional sum OF
money on account of the Credit Mobi.
lier, claiming that the dividends he had
already received had not been as large
as they should have been.
A periurer and a man who attempts
to suborn perjury is not fit TO be Presi.
dent.
One other important feature in the
history OF General Garfield is his rela.
ton to the De Golyer paving contract.
One De Golyer had made a contract
with the Sheppard ring in Washington
to put down a quantity of patent pave.
ment. General Garfield was chairman
OF the committee on appropriations in
the House OF Representatives. In order
TO pay for this patent pavement an APP
preparation was needed from Congress.
The sum of five thousand dollars was
paid to General Garfield on behalf of
De Golyer, and appropriations to the
amount of millions of dollars were there.
after granted to the Washington ring,
the appropriation for the De Golyer
pavement being included therein.
These are some of the facts in the
public record of James A. Garfield, now
the Republican candidate for President
of the United States.
And yet, Notwithstanding all this, the
mischiefs of electing such man presi.
dent would all seem blessings compared
to the results which would have follow
ed the success of Grant and the third
term.
To the grave charges here made
against their candidate the Republi-
can leaders have little to say. But
the attempt to ignore them will not
work. Mr.. Garfield is called upon
for an explanation, but how will he
make it2 The record against him is