Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-09-29
FEW IRTERROGATORIE FOR GAR
FIELD TO ANSWER.


The Republican papers have been amusing
themselves for several months in interrogat-
ing Gen. Hancock as to the policy he will
pursue in the event of his election to the
Presidency on this, that and the other ques-
ton. They have been fully answered under
the hand and seal of Gen. Hancock himself,
and if they are not satisfied the rest of the
people are. They certainly derived but lit
tie comfort from the answers they have re.
ceived, and are yet squirming from the eff
fects of the last gun fired by Gen. Hancock,
though loaded by themselves with rebel
claims.
tits perhaps time for the Democratic pa
pers to take hand at questioning the Re-
publican candidate for the Presidency as to
his course in the very improbable event of
his elevation to the chief magis
tracy. From his seat in Con-
gress some two years ago Mr.. Gar
field declared that he knew of about two
hundred thousand claims for war losses that
| should be paid. 1t transpired that major
ity of these claims were held by Northern
men who we're loyal during the war-that
is, they stayed at home at the North. But
it also appeared that these '1oyal'' men had
purchased the claims they hold from dis
loyal Southerners for mere song, in the
hope that they might induce Congress to
vote for their payment. Does MIR. Garfield
still hold that these claims ought to be paid,
and if elected President will he sign the bills
for their payment if Congress shall pass
them? A categorical and explicit answer
| is requested.
While in Congress Mr.. Garfield was the
foremost champion of all lobby schemes Of
plunder. He accepted stock from the Credit
| Mobilier company of America
knowing that that organization would
apply to Congress for. material privileges.
He accepted fee from DeGolyer and Nc
Clellan and procured for them paving con-
| tract that cost the country several millions
of dollars. He persistently voted for subsi-
dies to steamship lines, and after aiding in
procuring large grant from the treasury for
John Roach, he accepted that monopolist's
hospitality on the occasion of the launch of
the City of Chester. He has always been the
friend of those who were contemplating
raid on the treasury, and by his vote encour
aged their enterprises. Will he continue to
give countenance to such schemes if elevat-
ed to the Presidency? The people would
like to know, and have right to know, what
his policy in this regard will be.
MIR. Garfield assisted the Louisiana re-
turning board in classifying the returns of
the votes cast in that State in 1876. In
Congress he defended that action, and
while member of the electoral commission
he protested against going behind the face
of the returns for the purpose of ascertain
| ing how the State voted. He has ever since
| justified that gigantic fraud by which man
not elected was installed in the Office of
President. Will Mr.. Garfield tell the people
| if in the Office to which he aspires, he will
make the larceny of the votes of States one
of his springs of action, and if he will justi
fly wholesale bribery, forgery, perjary and
intimidation as means through which to at
tain partisan ends?
Mr.. Garfield, when member of the cleo
| toral commission, violated his oath. When
| the case of Louisiana came up he voted
against going behind the returns for the
reason that it would be injurious to his par
| ty to do 80. When the case of Oregon came
| up, involving almost the same issue. he
voted in favor of going behind the face of
the returns because it would be to the adj
vantage of his party to do SO.
He had sworn to act impartially
and honestly in all matters that might come
before the commission, but he did not do SO.
Will he as President, countenance perjury
in those in high and responsible station
when partisan endssare to be subserved?
In view of Mr.. Garfeld's record in the past
the people have right to demand that he
declare himself on these points. 1t is not
safe to trust man with the Presidency who
has in the past proved false to his oath, false
to the interests of the people, false to the
instincts of common honesty, with an Office
of such grave responsibility. There is time
enough for MIR. Garfield to express repentance
for the deeds of the past,an to give guaran-
tees for better conduct in the future.