The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-10-12
New York World. I'd inst.
General Garfield and the De GOlyer
i,s.-. .l- Case.

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lawyer of case which was argued in the
Supreme Court about the time when he
first took his seat in Congress, and when,
according to Judge Black and Garfield's
own letters TO his friend Hinsdale, Gen.
Garfield was vigilant law student This
case was not only OF legal but of popu.
lar notoriety. 1t was not only reported
in Q WaIlace's II. S. Reports, but in
newspapers. It seems from the author
ICED reports of il that q lobbyist named
Norris had been employed to obtain
from Secretary Cameron contract for
Is, 600 muskets at $40 each. That Nor.
ris came to Washington very much as
Chittenden came there who figured in
the De Golyer matter; that Norris went
to Senator Anthony precisely as the
agent of the Credit Mobilier visited the
late Senator James A. Bayard, anG that
Senator Anthony answered: II think 1t
discreditable to any Senator to meddle
with the business of departments" that
when Secretary Cameron gave Norris
the contract (see vol. 2, Wallace's Re-
ports, p. Az the Secretary on being
"warmly thanked" eaid TO Norris, 81
hope you will make great deal of mon-
ey out of it," that the providence
Tool Company" did make money out
Of their half-million contract, but their
best "tooP'- their agent Norris-became
dissatisfied with the compensation which
the company offered him; that he de.
manded and brought suit for 375 900,
but obtained verdict for only $l3, 500,
which verdict the company resisted and
on appeal to the. Supreme Court at
Washington claimed that the suit was
founded on a void contract because the
consideration involved the procurement
of official influence by reason whereof it
was immoral and contrary to public
policy. When these circumstances were
narrated to the Supreme Court, Judges
Bradley and Strong were not on the
Supreme Bench, but Judge Swayne was.
The Court turned Norris, the lobbyist,
out of the forum as at . later date it dis
missed Chittenden, the DeGolyer lobby
list. Said the stern old advocate Payne,
OF Rhode Island while addressing the
Court: "This transaction is creditable to
no one concerned but to Senator Antho.
n.y." And the Court-with Judge
Swayne on its bench-anticipating In
December, 1864, that censure Of "the
sale Of influence" under which General
Garfield now lies prone and disgraced,
added in adopting the advocates view:
"There is no real difference in principle
between agreements 20 procure favOrs
from Legislative bodies and agreements
to procure favors in the shape. Of con
tracts from the heads OF departments.
The introduction OF improper elements
tU control the action of both is the di.
rect and'ineyitable result of oil such ar
rangsmenrs, All agreements for pecu-
cuniary considerations to control the
business operations of the Government
or the ordinary course OF legislation are
void as against public policy. The law
closes the door to temptation by refusing
such agreements recognition in any OF
the courts Of the country" When with.
full notice of this case General Garfield
"for pecunlary consideration on"-being
fee Of 85,0O0-undertook, by seeing
Boss Shepherd aboutt the DeGolyer pave
ment contract, to "control the business
operations Of the Government" and by
reporting the DeGolyer appropriations
ito control the ordinary course OF leg
islation," General Garfield sinned with
fnll liUht and nOt-ka Indoa Rlack ami.
ably insists that he sinned IN the Credit
Mobilier -unconsciously and igno-
rantly. Put "Boss" Shepherd, the De
Golyer contract, Chittenden and Garfield
face to face with the same legal princi.
Piles with which Justice Swayne confron-
ted "Bess" Cameron, the musket con-
tract, Norris and Senator Anthony, and
who can escape the force of the conclu-
sion as to the true nature and extent OF
Garfeld's guilty completely with the
agents of DtGolyer7