The daily gazette., 1880-02-28
The Grant Boom.
The source OF it's Inspiration.

The Source OF it's inspiration.
SOME OF THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE
FENsE TO CAMERON.
The N. Y. Herdlds Albany CORES.
pondent writing on the movements OF
the Grant schemers of Albany says
that it is well authenticated that Grants
whole European tour was arranged
with view to the effect on his third
term aspirations. The constant atten.
tions to the ex-president by crowned
heads Of all countries, the carefully
worded after-dinner speeches, the sug-
gestive, modestly written interviews,
the republican simplicity of manner,
the adroit inuendOes as to third term
ism-all such movements, as alleged,
were part Of the great transformation
scenes intended to keep the ex-presi-
dent alive in the memory of his coun-
trymen and surround his personality
with the glittering idea that he was
the only zone strong man" who could
savethe American nation from anarchy
and destruction.
The Pittsburg Poa in commenting
upon this statement says that the
whole boom" was systematically ar
ranged Immediately after Mr.. Hayes
Inauguration and prior to the great
Grant leave-taking demonstration at
Philadelphia, when General Simon
Cameron made a speech nominating
Grant for the succession before Hayes
was warm in his seat. The only break
in the programme has been the return
of General Grant several months be-
fore the time fixed on. His triumphal
progress across the continent was to
have been in March and April. This
break made the West Indies and Mex
ican trip a necessity, for the Grant
managers did not want ''the old man"
in the country, an approving and close
spectator to the unscrupulous games
Of Cameron, Conkling, Logan and 9TH
or third termers, in controlling State
conventions.
But the origin of the Grant boom
remains to be told, and singularly
enough it was the refusal of Mr.. Hayes
to continue Don Cameron as secretary
of war that started it, originally as a
means of breaking down his admins
tration and for purpose of personal re-
venge.
There had been pledges gwen that
Cameron wouldbe retained, when things
oked squally for Hayes getting into the
White House, and these pledges sent
Mr.. Mackey to Florida. What he did
there will probably never be known, ex-
cept that he expended q large sum of
money contributed by the TCamerons
aud their henchmen. There was a re.
turning board TO influence, and the pres
idency was the stake. Anyone who
knows Mr.. Mackey's peculiar methods,
need be in no doubt as to the arguments
he used. Florida was made "safe" BY
Mr.. Mackey and the reward was to be
Don Cameron's retention in the cabinet.
He was the only one of Grants ministers
who was TO receive such signal mark |
Of confidence, and IL would unquestiona- |
bly, have been great triumph.
But on Mr.. Hayes arrived in Wash |
lngton, and when the decision of the |
electoral commission was assured, ru
mors reached the Cameron people that
no one of Grants cabinet, not even Don
Cameron, would be retained. Imme.
tlately 1t will be remembered the politi-
cal machinery of the commonwealth was
put in operation to influence Mr.. HAYES.
A delegation from our Legislature, with
Gov. Hartranft and all the State officers,
and prominent Republicans from differ
ant parts of the State, waited on him at
insisting, pleading and de-
that Cameron should remain
As secretary of war. A congressional
headed by Judge Kelley, who
lad been reconciled for the purpose,
although always an anti-C Cameron man,
;alled on Mr.. Hayes with the same
prayer. He was inundated with letters
md petitions from all parts of the
State. Mr.. Mackey organized these
and it was the subject
If remark at the time that never before
lad there been such a systematic and
determined effort to influence a presl-
lent IN the choice of a cabinet minister.
is bad taste was apparent, but the Cam.
ron people cared nothing for that.
Don had nominated Hayes by defeating
Blaine at Cincinnati. The control of
he new administration was what was
wanted, and with the son in the Senate,
md both OF them matchless political in
riguers, such control was probable.
The electoral commission having in-
icated what its outcome would be,
dr. Hayes got on one of his fits of
'amiable obstinancy." He wanted no ;
cameron taint on his administration. :
Ie or his authorized friends, it is true,
ad pledged Mr.. Don Cameron the
lace, but the presidency was then in /
oubt. 1t was SO no longer, and he t
epudiated the pledge. Mr.. Lincoln in t
$50 did the same. The price of the I
delegation for Lincoln in T
he Chicago convention of that year
las the treasury department for Simon
cameron. 1t was pledged to him by
Ir. Lincoln's representatives at Chi
ago, but "honest old Abe" with tlou-