Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-06-09
The Republican Candidates.


Jas. Abraham Garfield, the republican candi-
date for President, is not yet forty mine years
of age. He was born at orange, Cuyahoga
county, Ohio, on the 10Th of November, 1881.
His parents were of old New England stock, and
his lathe r, who was one of the earliest settlers
Widow and four Children " very S' poory pro
vided for. James was the youngest child
He struggled against poverty. and In
spite Of t. acquired tn thorough education
at intervals when he could afford it. When in
at Chester, and subsequently the Eclectic Instl-
tute at Hiram. He graduated at Williams Col
lege with high donors, and then returned to
the Hiram Institute as tutor, from which en-
frequently preached In the pulpit of his denomi-
nation. the Christian (or Disciples) church.
In 1861 Mr. Garfield was admitted to the bar,
having been previously elected as republican
to the Ohio state senate. Just as he was
entering upon the career of lawyer and poll
tician. which he had marked out for him
self, the war call was sounded and he prompt
ly answered it. He entered the Union
army as colonel of the 42d Ohio regiment. and
was soon thereafter assigned to the command Of
brigade. He distinguished himself as brave
officer In numerous battles. and was, in 1863,
brevetted major general for conspicuous
bravery. He served on the court-martial which
found Gen. Fitz John Porter guilty, and In the
fall Of 1868 he was elected to Congress-his
commission as member being sent to him
while he was In the field.
He has had distinguished career in Congress,
as he had in the army. He has for years been a
leader of his party in the House. and is now
universally regarded as the most brilliant and
aloesd able member AL r of the republican side of the
House. He has served continuously in Congress
since 1868, having held the position of chair
man OF the committees on military affairs,
banking go and ea currency and appropriations,
can has been marked with a iberality and
broad statesmanship, which sometimes has
brought him in contact with the prevailing
sentiment of his party in the House. He boldly,
during this session, proclaimed himself tI favor
Of amending the election laws so as to deprive
them OF their partisanship and an amendment
proposed by him was adopted by the democrats.
Last winter Gen. Garfield was elected U. S.
Senator to succeed Mr.. ThurmOn, whose term
expires on the 4th OF next March, and now, with
senatorial hOnOrs hanging over him. he is made
the national standard bearer of his party.
Gen. Garfield has grown steadily in favor with
the republican party and in public esteem, as
Well,-each year OF his public service marking
the increased confidence his political brethren
felt in him, until now they have crowned him
with the highest honor In their gift. He married
Miss Lucretia Randolph, OF Hiram, In 1858, and
Mr.. Garfield 1t may be added was one of the
visiting statesmen" to Louisiana in 1876, and
was afterwards member Of the electoral COM
mission.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR,
the nominee for the Vice Presidency, Is New
Yorker, about II years old. He Is lawyer by
PiOicoSlOu, anu Ills IISG prominence UelOTe tue
country was when he was appointed collector
Of the customs for the port o. New York sue
ceeding Mr.. Murphy, who was removed. In
1GTn MT Arthur was 81 removed from the New
after his accession 10 the presidency, and a
prominent New York merchant, Mr.. Roosevelt,
nominated for the position. Senator COnkling
made vigorous and successful fight for his
friend and proteg6. Mr.. Arthur, and succeeded
In preventing the confirmation of his successor.
Mr.. Arthur'S removal and the appointment of
n N rnnf toxo
place until some time afterwards, and not until
after the report of Mr.. Jay and his fellow COM
missioners in regard to the need OF changes in
the management Of the New York custom
house.