Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-07-14

q large fee; but it was nothing for that.
Either all that was done went for nothing,
or else it would be more. I don't know
that those gentlemen said 1t was large
fee when Judge Trumbull made an argu.
ment in the Supreme Court and received
$4,000 out Of the United States Treasury
for it.
lestion-Gen. Garfield, allow me to
ask you one question: What question of
law was submitted to you In that case
Was it question of law, or question of
the difference between the pavementss
Gen. Garfield: There were questions
both OF law and of merit. Ia the first
place, there were forty-two different kinds
Of pavement presented. If the Govern.
ment took one, there might be a question
of conflicting patents-there might be a
patent lawsuit growing out of lt-and |
felt 1t to be my first duty to inquire
whether the two patents that extend into
this pavement were valid patents that
could properly be sustained. made that
examination as the very first step took
in the case. understand that the Board
of Public Works said that they did not
care very much about that, on the ground
that they probably would not pay roy
atty in any case. But the fact was that
the contractor himself-the owner of the
patent-regarded it as valuable fran
chise. and the validity OF the patent was
to him the first consideration.
Now, where there are forty patents, or
nearly that, concerned, it is of some i'm
portance to know the relative validity of
the patents.
If no further questions are to be asked,
| will conclude with a few general ques.
tons on the whole subject. Nothing is
more distasteful to me than to speak of
my own work, but this discussion has
been made necessary by the persistent
misrepresentation Of those who assail
me.
During my long public service the rela.
ton between the people of this district
and myself has been one of mutual conf
dence and independence. / have tried to
follow my own convictions of duty with
little regard to personal consequence, re-
lying upon the intelligence and justice Of
the people for approval and support.
have sought to promote, not merely local
and class interests, but the general good
OF the whole country, believing that there
by I could honor the position | hold and
the district represent. On the other
hand, my constituents have given me the
great support of their strong and lntelli-
gent approval. They have not always ap
proved my judgment, nor the wisdom of
my public acts, but they have sustained
me because they knew | was earnestly fol-
lowing my convictions of duty, and be-
cause they did not want a representative
to be the mere echo OF the public
voice, but an intelligent and independent
judge of public questions.
In all this I have relied upon the good
IF no RI
stand both my motives and the motives
and efforts of my enemies. On some
questions of public policy there have
| been differences between some of my con.
stituents and myself. For instance, on
this currency question, 1 have followed
what seemed to me to be the line of right
and duty; and in that course l believe
that the majority of the people of this
| district now concur. Whether right or
wrong in opinions of this sort, I have be-
| lieved it to be my duty to act independ-
emily and in accordance with the best
light I could find.
Fellow. citizens, believe I have done
my country and you some service, and the
only way l can still continue thus to
serve you is by enjoying In a reasonable
degree your confidence and support.
am very grateful for the expression OF
| confidence which you have again given
me by choosing me seventh time as
your candidate. 1t was an expression
which [ have reason to believe was the re
suit of your deliberate judgment, based
on full knowledge of my record; and
it is all the more precious to me because
it came after one of those storms of pub
lie feeling which sometimes sweep away
the work of lifetime.
And now, in conclusion, If there is any
question or anything have discussed, OF
that I have not discussed, which any
gentleman desires to PROFOUND, shall be
very glad to hear it. The speaker paused
but no questions beng asked, he closed
his remarks as follows: l thank the
audience for the very patient attention
with which they have honored me. APP
plause
| Nn-f ~, oF thu yTh1fa Tnuca