The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-06-29
GARFIELD'S NEIGHBORS.
What They Think of His Record
An Incident of 1876.

What They Think of His Record
An Incident of 1876.
The Buffalo Courier recalls the fact
that the independent Republicans Of G lr.
fields Congressional district held mass
meeting at Warren. September 6, 1876,
and adopted tie following singing reso
luton:
.Resolued, That it >,',,n|ess and h. pocrt
ical for any political party to declare fol
reform in its platforms. papers and public
addresses while it insists on returning
to high official place and power mer
who hare been noloriously connected
with the very schemes and fraud which
render reform necessary and urgent
that there is no other man to day o.
ficially connected with the administration
of the national government against
whom are justly preferred more and gra-
yer charges Of corruption than are pub
licly made and abundantly sustained
against James A. Garfield, the present
representative OF this Congre sional di,-
trict and the nominee of the Republican
Convention for re election.
That since he first entered Congress to
this day there is scarcely an instance in
which rings and monopolies have been
arrayed against the interests of the pco-
pie that he has been found active in
speech or vote upon the side Of the lat
ter, but in almost every case be has been
the ready champion of the rings and
menopolies.
That we especially charge him with
venality and cowardice in permitting
Ber jamin F. Butler to attach to the ap-
preparation bill of 1873 chat ever TO be
remembered lnfamy, the salary steal, and
in speaking and voting for that measure
upon its final passage,
That we further arraign and denounce
him for his corrupt connection with the
Credit MobiIier, for his false denials
thereof before his constituents, for his
perjnred denial thereof before commit
lee of Congress, for fraud upon his
constituents in circulating among them
a pamphlet purporting to set forth the
finding of said committee and the evi-
dence against him, when in fact material
portions thereof were omitted and gar
bled.
That we further arraign and charge
him with corrupt bribery in selling his
official influence as chairman Of the
Committee on appropriations for $4,000
to the De Golyer pavement ring, to aid
said ring in imposing upon the people
OF the District of Columbia pavement
which is almost worthless at a price
three times its cost, and in procuring O
contract 10 procure which it corruptly
paid S97 900 for "irfuence;" selling his
influence in matter that involved nc
question of law upon the shallow pre-
text that be was acting as lawyer
selling his influence in manner 30 pal.
pable and clear as TO be so found and
declared by an impartial and competent
court upon an issue solemnly tried
That we arraign him for gross dere-
LECTION of duty as a member OF Congress
in failing. to bring to light and expose
the corruption and abuse in the sale o
post trade.ships, for which the late Sec
retary Belknap was impeached when tho
same was brought to his knowledge by
General Hazen, in 1872. and can enl,
account for it upon the supposltion tina
bis manhood was debauched by the cor
ruption fund then by him just received
and in his own purse.
That neither great ability and exper
ience nor eloquent partisan discussion
of the dead issues of the late civil wa
will excuse or justify past dishonesty
and corruption or answer as a guarantee
of integrity and purity for the future.
That, believing the statements in th,
foregoing resolutions set forth we can
not without stultifying our manhood ant
debasing our self.respect, support at th'
polls the nominee of the Republican
Convention OF this district for reelection
nor can we, without surrendering oul
rights as electors and eitizsns, sit 81
lently by and see a man so unworth,
again sent to represent US in the nation
al Legislature That, strong in th,
conviction of right, we call upon th
electors of this district, irrespective o
former or present party attachment, wh'
desire honest government. to unite will
Us iu an earnest, faithful effort to defea
the reelection of General Garfield ant
elect in his stead an honest and reliabl
man.
A gentleman the other day saw his lit
tie daughter dipping her dolls bah.