The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-08-24
,ceIyed $1,000 0ut Of the united stales

L.
Treasury for 1t.
Question. General Garfield, allow me L
ask one question. What question Of Law
was submitted TO you In that case? Wa
Il question OF law or question OF the
difference between the payements2
Il General Garfield. There were questions
both OF law and OF merit. In the first
place there were forty.two different kinds
OF payements presented. II the Govern.
ment took one there might be a question
OF conflicting patents-there might be a
patent lawsuit growing out OF II, aud l felt
to be my first duty toinqulre whether
the two patents that extend into this pave
ment were valid patents that could prop
erly be sustained. made that examine
ton 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 pat.
ent-regarded 1t as o valuable franchise,
and the validity OF the patent was to him
the first confederation.
Now, where there are forty patents or
nearly that concerned, It is oil some impor-
lance TO know the relative validity of'the
patents.
Question. Would It have made any dit.
terence TO the taxpayers OF Washington, or
% the Government treasury, whether Mr..
Parsons received five thousand or twenty
thousand dollars for his services?
General Garfield. Well, l suppose not.
l never saw how 1t would.
limo further questions are TO be asked |
will conclude with few general reiiec-
tons on the whole subject.
Nothing is more distasteful to me than
to speak Of my own workout this discus
sion has been made necessary by the per-
sistent 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 ewn convictions OF duty with
little regard to personal consequences, 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 thereby
could honor the position | hold aud the
district l represent On the other hand
ny constituents have given me the great
support OF their strong aud Intelligent ap.
oroysl. They have not always approved
ny judgment, nor the wisdom OF my pub.
ic acts. But they have sustained me be.
'ause they knew was earnestly following
ny convictions OF duty, and because they
lid not want representative to be the
mere echo OF the public voice, but an in
elligent and independent Judge Of public
questions.
Mr.. Garfield then referred to some 10.
al movements and to the opposition OF
ertain politicians, and concluded as fol-
1ws:
In conclusion, / appeal from these men
. the best men In the district-to men
rho are in every way as worthy and every
ray as capable as they are TO Judge my
onduct-nor do l hesitate to refer all in
uiries TO those noble men with whom
ave acted during my public life. They
ave worked with me as representatives
uriDg all these years and know the char
cter and quality OF my work. have
ought TO make myself worthy OF an hon
rabe fame among them, and have not
ought in vain. They have placed me in
many positions OF large trust and respons-
bility, and In the present Congress again
Iold the Chairmanship OF the committee of
he second II not the first Importance
n the House OF Representatives. fear
essly appeal TO the honorable members OF
he present Congress, and OF all the Con-
resses in which, have served, to say II
ny conduct has not been high and worthy
-the very reverse OF what these home en-
mics represent it to be. Applause.1
LII this time II has been source OF great
trength and confidence to know that here
n this district there has been strong,
manly, intelligent constituency willing TO
Lold up my hands and enable me more eff
ectually TO serve the country aud honor
hem by my service. While this has been
rue, bitter few have long eeen doing all
n their power to depreciate my work and
weaken my support.
Mr.. Wilkins. You are rising too fast;
hey are afraid OF being eclipsed.
Mr.. Garfield. In all this I have relied
ipon the good sense and justice OF the
,eople to understand both my motives and
he motives and efforts OF my enemies.
in some questions OF public policy there
and myself. For instance, on
ut CuIIenC1 duenliunf uaNu iVIOMcu
What seemed IN me 10 be the line OF truth
md duty, and in that course believe that
he majority Of the people Of this district
low concur. Whether right or wrong in
opinions Of this sort, | believed II to be
ny duty to act independently and in &C.
,ordance with the best light l could find.
Fellow citizens, l believe have done
ny country and you some service, and
he only way can still continue TINS to
terve you 10 by enjoying in a raona-
BILE degreeyour confidence and support.
am very grateful for the expression OF con-
adence whichyou have again given me by
me seventh time as your candi-
date. Il was an expression which have
reason to believe was the result oil your
deliberate judgment, based on q full
knowledge OF my record; and is all the
more precious TO me because II came after
one OF thooe storms OF public feeling which
sometimes sweeps away the work Of q life
time.
And now, in conclusion, II there IL any
question or anything l have discussed or
that have not discussed, which any gen.
tleman desires to PROFOUND, | shall be
very glad to hear II. THE speaker paused,
but no questions being asked, closed hls
remarks as follows,l T thank the au-
dience for the very patient attention with
which they have honored me. Zap
plause.l
The Republican Congressional Commit
tee, in re-printing this speech, which was
delivered by General Garfield in the face
OF his constituents, when the charges were