National Republican., 1880-06-15
TEE MuD.ruRoMING.


didate named by the republican party could |
escape detracton. No opponent Of the
democratic party, from GEORGE WASHING
TON to General GRANT, has escaped the
vonomous attacks of its party press. There
was no waiting to begin upon General GAR
FIELD, but it is about over, 80 far as the
quality of material is concerned. During
the rest of the campaign we shall simply
have repetition, tiresome but harmless.
There are three charges brought against
General GARFIELD: First that he was
awarded stock in The Credit Mobilier scheme;
second, that he voted for the "sulary grab"
bill, and third, that lie took a $4,000 fee in
the DE GoLYER Washington pavement in
vestigation. But the facts do not justify the
inferences those who make the charges
would have the public draw from them.
1t is true that General GARFIELD was as
signed $4,000 of the stock Of the Credit
Mobilier; it is true he received some divi-
dends upon his investment, but there is
nothing in the transaction which impeaches
his integrity. The Credit Mobilier charges
were brought to the attention of congress in
mittee consisting of three republicans and
two democrats were appointed to investi-
gate them. This committee immediately
entered upon the discharge of its duties,
and after exhausting all sources of evidence,
on the 18th of February, 1873, submitted
unanimous report, recommending the ex-
pulsion of OAKEs AMEs and JAMES
BROOKS, and entirely exonerating Mr..
GARFIELD and HENRY i. DAWES and
the other congressman whose names had
been mentioned in connection with the
charges. The part of the report which re-
lates to Mr. GARFIELD and the last-men-
toned congressman is as follows: The
" committee do not find that either of the
aboye-named gentlemen, in contracting
"with Mr.. AMEs, had any corrupt motive
or purpose or was aware that Mr.. AMEs
chad any; nor did either of them suppose
that he was guilty of any impropriety or
"even iudelcacy in becoming purchaser
of this stock. i The committee
have not been able TO find that any OF
these members Of congress have been
"aiTected in their official action in conse'
ouence of their interest in Credit Mobiliel
stock. The committee find
nothing in the conduct of either of these
D." members in taking this stock that calls
for any recommendation by the commit
tee. -
He did vote for the salary-grab clause
of the bill which contained it. But that
bill contained other provisions unexcep
tionable and vital to the administration o.
the government. Because it attained thesC
vital provisions and not because of the
grab clause he voted for it, as did scores
of others, both democrats and republicans
who were opposed to the grab" Blu
while he thus voted, unlike Speaker RAN
DALI and other purists Of the democrats
party, he refused TO take dollar of the
money. Heallowed what the law gave hin
to remain in the treasury, and it is ther
still.
1t is also true that he acted AS counse
for DE GOLYER while he was being inves
tigated before the board Of public works o
the city of Washington. lie acted profes
sionaly and took his fec for his services
Other congressman, democrats rs well a
republicans who are supposed to hay
brains enough to be Of any use to thei
clients have served as counsel in othe
cases when they could do so without in
terfering with their congressional duties
But no one thought Of finding faul
with them for so doing unless, 10
political reasons they wished to smircl
their characters-as in the case @
Senator CONKLING, who was abused
without measure because he used his grea
gifts on the side Of the New York Centra
railroad in its famous tax suit with tn
government DE GoLYER may have bee
guilty, but he was awarded trial and wa
entitled to counsel. General GARyIEL
acted as such, professionally, just as othe
lawyers do when their services are sougf
by the parties accused. But who thinks
holding lawyer as participant in tn
crime OF his client?
These charges constitute the sum an
substance of General GARFIELDs oGense
The people will estimate them at their fu
value, and their verdict will DO that ma
whose enemies are compelled 10 resort
such petty ISLANDERS to cast q shadow upo
his character must be US unexceptionabl
in his integrity as he is exalted in l.
patriotism.