Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-16
FOR PRESIDENT,
JAMES A. GARFIELD
OF OHIO.
FOR VICE PRESIDENT,
CHESTER A. ARTHUR,
OF NEW YORK,
Trying to shoot Spent Cartridge,
FOR PRESIDENT.

Trying to Shoot Spent Cartridges.
The mud-throwing at Garfield has be-
gun early Most of those who are en-
gagged in this disreputable business have
forgotten-if they ever fully knew-the
fact, says the New York Mail, as deyel-
oped after thorough investigation, in re-
gard to the Credit Mobilier and DE Col
We. calumnies. They are, doubtless. con-
scious of the strong prescriptions afford
ed by GarfieId's steadily rising rank in the
esteem Of his fellow Congre 'smen, Of
both parties, both for his ability and for
his character. They know that since the
Credit MObilicr investigation, which ac-
quilted him, he has been four times be-
fore his constituents for reelection has
squarcly faced every possible charge; has
dispelled every insinuation, even. against
his character. and has won increasing and
overwhelming majorities, that could be
won by no man. however able, whose
reputation, at home, was not as clear as
crystal. They know that he has success
fully passed the ordeal of contest for
the United States Senate with so great an
opponent as Judge Thurman, and, at the
end. received tho vote, heartily given, of
every member Of the Ohio Legislature.
They know that not breath of suspicion
of the utter purity and uprightness Of
Garfield was heard in the Convention that
unanimously nominated him to the Presi-
dency, while the fame OF other candidates
was assaled by all so,ts of charges.
This knowledge of universally known
facts concerning the repeated and cumu-
lative vcr1icts of the men who know him
best, after hot contests in which all the
available ammunition against him was
expended in vain. makes his present as
sailants nervously anxious to put in their
calumnious work. as early as possible.
They have an uneasy apprehension that
the defense when it comes in full, will be
as conclusive rs it has been in the yves
tern Reserve" district and in the State of
Ohio.
But meanwhile, we can make few
suggestions. First: That the Congress
sional Investigating Committee which
reported resolution to expel Mr.. James
Brooks and Mr.. Cakes Ames, for
connection with the Credit Mobilier tran
sactions, failed to suggest even that Gar
fields alleged participation called for a
vote of censure. 1t established his inno-
cence. SO far as any negative can be cs-
tablished by u report. OF the three re-
publican members of that committee, one.
Senator Hoar. is now one OF the heartiest
supporters of Garfield. 1t is needless to
say that no considerations could move
Senator Hoar to such support of a man
believed by him to have been capable of
any conduct in the slightest degree cor
rupt or wrong. The same may be said
of Honest Joe Hawley," who was an
other member Of the same committee.
aud to whose righteous zeal the investi-
CATION was mainly owing. The part OF
the report which relates to Garfield, Henry
l.. Dawes and other Congressman, is as
follows:
.'The committee do not find that either Of
the above named gentlemen, in contracting
with Mr.. Amcs, had any corrupt motive or
purpose or was aware that Mr.. Ames had
any; nor did either of them suppose that he
was guilty Of any improperly or even indel-
icacy in becoming purchaser Of this stock.
The committee have not been able
to find that any of these members Of Con-
yrcss have been affected in their official
action in consequence of their interest in
Credit Mobilicr stock. The CON-
nittee find nothing in the conduct of either
Of these members in taking this stock that
calls for any recommendation by the CON-
mittee."
AS for the DE Golyer calumny. that can
be dealt with in short order. Garfield
was retained as counsel for De Golyer
when the latter was on trial before the
Board of Public Works, in Washington
not before Congressional Committee. be
it remembered. As an able lawyer he
had right to take retainer in such a
case. That he was not called on to
plead his clients case. was, and is, no.
body's business but that of the two
parties to an open and legitimate transac-
ton. There is not n lawyer of ability in
either House of Congress who has not
taken retainers under like circumstances
and done little save to give counsel. And
there is not sensible member Of either
House who does not see the Stiffness OF
assailing Garfield for getting a large
counsel fee, in a, case not at all Involving
his official responsibilities.
A Bloomington. (lll.) paper says: The
statement that Gen. Arthur was removed
from the Collectorship in New York be-
-EH Al - r.