Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-10-23
ter who attempted to interview him on
his record on Monday last.
NOMINATED FOR SPEAKER.


his record on Monday last.
NOMINATED FOR SPEAKER.
And Boited By Pennsylvania Tariff Re-
publicans.
When the extra session OF Congress
met in October. 1877, Garfield was NOM
mated for Speaker OF the House by the
Republican caucus.
The Democrats nominated forSpeaker
Hon. ST.. Randall.
The uncompromising Republican pro-
tectionists bolted Garfeld's nomination,
because of his free trade record. Among
the boilers we're Judge Kelly, Congress.
man Errett, Killinger and Bayne. This
telegraphic dispatch tells the story OF
the bolt:
From the Pittsburgh dailies. October lG. ISL
WASHINGTON, Oct. Is, 1877.
"Major Errett and Colonel Bayne alb
sented themselves from the Republican
caucus, and refused to vote in the House
to-day for the Republican caucus candi'
date for Speaker, General Garfield OF
Free Trade and Golden Club fame.
Judge Kelly also adopted this course
The Pittsburgh Gazette, now warm
supporter of the election OF Garfield to
the Presidency, supported the boilers
and editorially Endorsed their action be-
cause Garfield was "Free Trader"
This extract tells the story:
Pittsburgh Gazette, editorial, October 16, ISL
The Post is respectfully informed that
Hon. Russell Errett did not vote for
Mr.. Garfield for Speaker. Neither did
he vote for Randall. He did not favor
THE FREE TRADER (GartieldD nor
the Democrat (RandalD.
Congressman Killinger. who had serv-
ed twelve years in Congress from the
Dauphin district Of this State, in explain
alton of his refusal to support Garfield
for the Speakership, addressed the fol.
lowing letter to the Philadelphia Times,
which was duly published in that jour
nal:
To the Editor of the Philadelphia Times
In reply to the inquiry, will say
that in the vote for Speaker we chose
the lesser of the two evils. We could
not elect the Speaker, and the only sig.
nificance our action had was its indlca-
ton of expression of confidence in the
nominee on the great and vital question
OF protection TO our industries and EN-
ployment for our laborers. lnmy judg.
ment all questions are subordinate to
this. When, therefore, the caucus de.
termined to compliment Mr.. Garfield
in this way | had to choose between
sanctioning by my vote such an action
or TO express my dissent by Withholding
it. Mr.. Gariield's record on this aues.
ton is well known to the country, and
some OF it has come under my own Or
servation. could not, therefore, pass
il by as insignificant or unimportant.
Without meaning any disrespect to him,
am compelled to say his status has
been equivOcal, ii not actually hostile TO
the opinions We hold in Pennsylvania.
| have never found him to stand square
" for protection. He would not be ac-
cepted by the Republicans OF my dis
trict as an exponent OF their views, and
| could not compliment him with their
vote for the Speakership without mani
fest Inconsistency and doing violence
to all my convictions OF duty and
principle. No friend OF he american
system Of rerenW and finance has erer been
compimented wth honorary membership IN
The British free trade leagues. The object
OF these leagues is well known to be the
STRENGTHENING of British influence in
foreign countries. The aim to secure
markets here for British manufacturers
and to that end are hostile To our home
industries. In common with VIM. &.
BRYANT, :. :. Cox and ID. A. Wells, no.
torious free traders, Mr.. Garfield stands
in connection with such league. 20
long as he retains such connections ana
does not disavow its perncious heresles,
do not see how to acquit him OF hold
ing the opinions OF British co laborers.
Ii needed some resolution to express
our dissent from the conclusions reach
ed by the caucus The Republicans or
ranization should be maintained by the
party's representatives, especially at
this iuncture, when We are threatened
with disintegration in high quarters.
But unless we can at the same time
maintain the principles which gave
value and vitality to the organization,
party ties will weaken and our early dis
solution is certain. So ! choose the
lesser of the two evils in Withholding
the vote of the Fourteenth district
from a nominee who fails to be in accord
with its people on the greatest question
before the country.
J. W. kILLINGER.
III ..,,,,., D,y,,y. - 1877