Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1880-08-21
GENERAL n. NJ. n

RanKms
From the Silver State Of the lsth.l
General R. NJ. Clarke. Of Carson, arrived
here yesterday on mining business. As he
is an Ohio man, and cast his vote for Sal
mon P. Chase for Governor Of Ohio, and
supported Lincoln and Grant for Presi-
dent. was elected Attorney General Of Ne
vada on the Republican ticket, never was a
Democrat, and is one Of the most indie
pendent public men, politically, in the
State, Tor on the Coast for that matter),
| the Silver State, believing that his views
on National affairs would be interesting to
its readers, sent a representative to inter-
| view him. The reporter found the Gen.
eral at leisure, end stated the object OF his
| visit as follow:
Reporter--General you have been trav-
cling in the East recently, and attended
the Chicago and Cincinnati Conventions,
have you any objections to giving your
views on the political situation?
I Gen. Clarke-Not the least. 1 have no
opinions that l desire to conceal, and no
knowledge that I will not freely give you.
R.-How were the nominations OF the
Chicago and Cincinnati Conventions re-
ceived by the public?
Gen. C.--Generally very we'll that of
General Hancock particularly 80. As far
could judge, the Democrats were entire
ly satisfied. Garfeld's nomination was
not received with as much unanimity or
enthusiasm. The Grant faction were sore
and disappointed, and the Liberal and Con-
sentative Republicans dissatisfied. Gar
fields nomination was made without refiec-
ton. and was q tribute to his eloquence
and personal magnetism, rather than to
his worth.
R.-You are from Ohio, and as q lawyer
undoubtedly conversant with the record of
General Garfield as a public man, what is
your opinion Of his connection with the
Credit Mobilier and De Golyer ~affairs2
Gen. CT have studied Garfield's con-
nection with the Credit Mobilier and the
De Golyer transactions very closely, and
from the standpoint of an independent
voter, and with an earnest desire to acquit
him, for / admire his great ability very
much. Among other things, I have stud
led his W defense of his connection with
Cakes Ames, and considered what his
friends and partisans have written touch
ing his connection with the De Golyer job,
and | have reluctantly been brought to the
judgment that he is guilty in both cases.
In 1873, when the event was fresh, when
witnesses were all living, Mr.. Garield's
connection with Credit Mobilier was in
vestigated by q committee consisting OF
honest and able men, four Republicans,
four Democrats and one Liberal Republi-
can, and after hearing and considering all
the testimony, including Mr.. Garfield's,
who, you remember, swore he never sub
scribed for or owned a share of the stock,
unanimously condemned him, putting him
precisely where they put Schuyler Colfax.
They not only found him guilty of accept
ing the bride, but, in effect, convicted
him OF false swearing. No new evidence
has been presented since that report was
made. TIL Republican party then tried
and condemned him, and the whole coun-
try accepted the report. 1t seems to me
that every honest man is bound by the re-
suit. at least until some new evidence is
found. Those who now attack the report
have no more reason to support them than
though they should attack the verdict of
an honest and intelligent jury, without
hearing evidence.
The facts in the DeGolyer matter are
simply that DeGolyer and McClelland had
a patent pavement which they wanted to
have adopted by the Board of Public
Works Of the District of Columbia. Mr..
Garfield was at the time chairman Of the
House Committee of Appropriations. 1t
was intended to apply to Congress for an
appropriation. Parsons, DeGolyer's at
torney, gave Garfield SIS, 200 ostensibly as
an attorneys fee. Garfield rendered no
services as an attorney, but recommended
an appropriation of 81, 200, 600, which
passed. Now, / don't say that Garfield
was corrupted by this money, but l do say
that he rendered no equivalent for it un.
less in procuring the appropriation, and
laid himself open to be suspected and &C.
cused, and that DeGolyer intended to i'm
properly influence his action, and that such
intention must have been apparent to Gar
fields mind.
R.-There seems to be some doubt re-
sarding General Garfield's position on the
Salary Grab and Back Pay Steal. Will
you explain his connection with it?
Gen. Clarified voted for the bill and
returned the money into the Treasury, but
not until his constituents met in conven-
ton and demanded his resignation.
R.-During the seventeen years of Gen.
eral Garfeld's Congressional career, how
has he stood upon the conflicting interests
Of the people and the corporations?
Gen. Gle has always been on the
side OF corporations, never on the side of
the people. He voted away the public
eAA Az 'OsSa away tdC PuDAlN hiOuCyss
he voted to pay the greenback bonds in
gold; he voted to demonetize silver; he
voted against the silver bill, and against
the bill to regulate fares and freights, and,
| believe, is in full sympathy with the cor
porations upon Chinese immigration and
cheap labor.
R.-What effect or influence would his
election have on these questions?
Gen. Cit could not but be hurtful.
His election would give him power, and
would certainly be an Endorsement Of his
public acts and views. I certainly think
his election would retard the development
and endanger the material prosperity of
Nevada. We here are deeply Interested in
these questions, namely: The regulation
of railroad rates, to prevent extortion and
discrimination; stopping the influx of Chi
nese, to protect American labor, and the
free coinage Of silver as money, to preserve
the value Of our bullion product and sup
ply a circulating medium equal to the de-
mands Of trade. Now, Garfield is against
each and all OF these propositions, and his
election would therefore be the elevation
of an enemy Of our best interests.
R.-Knowing that you were an uncom-
promising Union man during the war, and
have been ever since, I would be pleased
to know if, in your opinion, General Han
cock would be Q safe President for the
country2
Gen. C.-Undoubtedly. General Hancock
is as true a patriot and as brave and up
right q man as this country can boast Of.
He has given the highest proof of his 10y
atty to free institutions and his devotion
to law. His conduct in Louisiana and
Texas, and his admirable letter to General
Sherman in 1876, show him to be a states
man Of unusual ability, thoroughly COM
pretending the principles of the Govern
ment, and well understanding, in times Of
peace. the supremacy Of the civil over the
military law. His exemplary life, as q man
and a soldier, gives assurance that his ad-