Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-02-19
Honest John Again.

They tell some pretty hard things on
John Sherman, now that the scramble
for the Presidential nomination has
fairly begun. The New York Times,
a Republican paper of the strictest sect,
a couple Of weeks since charged that he
was flooding the South with especial
treasury agents." whose sole business
it was to work up delegations for John
Sherman. This, Honest John indig-
nantly denied, and his denial has re-
suited in some very. specific charges,
made by the same paper, the substance
OF at least one of which we shall give a S
shortly as may be. 1t appears that
Sherman some weeks ago sent into
North Carolina Mr.. Fitzpatrick, under
the guise of a special agent ofthe treas
ury, but real y as his personal and con-
fidential friend, to work in his interest.
kilpatrick's first business was with Col.
Keogh, chairman Of the State Repub-
lican Committee, and to him the conf
dental friend unbosomed himself after
first exhibiting his credentials, among
which was the following letter to Col.
Young, Internal Revenue Collector at
Raleigh:
Col. Young, ETC.:
This will introduce to you my friend W. J.
Fitzpatrick, who has my confidence. You can
talk with him freely on general matters. etc.
Yours, JOHN SHERMAN.
He had other and similar letters to
all the principal customs and revenue
officials of the State, announced him
self on vacation, and after chatting a
few moments asked Keogh what he
thought of Sherman's chances for the
Presidency.
Every poor" replied the blunt and out-spo-
ken Secretary of the National Committee.
''In this State, at least, he could not muster a
corporal's guard of supporters
'But you could change all that said Kill
patrick; land if you did this very cautiously
am sure you could get any place you WANT
81 don't want any place." was Keogh's re-
ply. 81 have no time to attend co the duties
of any official position. My private business
occupies all my tme''
''Oh, as for that,'' said Fitzpatrick, speaking
"you would not be required TO do
any work; the pay would come in all the
same"
Thanks" replied Keogh, rather coolly,
"but Pm not looking for that kind OF job"
So the conversation ended for the time.
Fitzpatrick went on his way, meeting,
no doubt, with more encouragement
from other and more obsequious indivi-
duals, and finally returned to Wash
ington, where Keogh himself soon ar
rived. A meeting between the Secre-
tary and Keogh was arranged and the
former evinced an unmistakabl desire
to control the North Carolina delega-
ton, but was told that the Republican
sentiment in the State was enthusiast
tically for Grant, and that, further
more, that Keogh, personally, was OPP
posed to him (Sherman.)
s'Why, why!" asked the Secretary, with
some excitement; s'what have ever done to
interfere with you!"
''Well, for one thing" replied the outspoken
Keogh, ''you removed my friend, MIR. Powers,
from the internal revenue collectorship of the
Newbern district'
mo, no; you are Mistaken Sherman
avowed, in his own quick, impetuous fashion;
81 had nothing to do with that. 1t was the
President. The President did it. But (this
Mr.. Sherman said with marked emphasis) if
you will send Powers to me, we will see that
something is done for him.
Keogh, however, was firm, and
though the Secretary plead with him to
at least divide the delegation SO as to
give him half, he resisted all entreaties
and left, declaring he would use all his
influence for Grant.