Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-06-10
Garfield and Arthur.

ucspeTdle COuitlCI DelWeen lnc cOnOTtS
of Grant, Blaine and Sherman, the
convention at Chicago, ON Tuesday
afternoon, settled the contest by casting
aside the prominent candidates and
placing the honors of nomination
upon the shoulders of General James
A. Garfield, of Ohio. This was ac-
complished after thirty-five ballots had
been taken in which the members of
the convention adhered to their fa-
vorites with remarkable tenacity.
Starting with the first ballot on Mon
day, Grant had 304 votes, Blaine 284,
Sherman SO, Edmunds "a, Washburne
80 and Window 10. On the Both
ballot, Grant had 313, Blaine 257,
Sherman 119, Edmunds II, Wash
burne 33, Window 3, and Garfield D.
AT this point came the break. Weary
with the weeks strife and convinced
of the hoplessness of the effort to nom
mate Blaine, the friends of the plumed
knight stampeded almost in mass to
the reverend soldier statesman of Ohio
and secured his nomination-the form
al ballot, the 36th, resulting rs fol-
lows Garfield 800, Grant 306, Blaine
~, Sherman 3, and Washburne D.
Associated with Garfield, We have the
name of Chester A. Arthur, of New
York, for Vice President.
This ticket is by no means a strong
one. On the Republicans it has fallen
with a cold chill. Many may regard
it as respectable, though very few have
received it with anything like enthu-
siasm. Garfield is man in the prime
of his years-being about forty-eight-
and has for long time been in pub
lie life. He began his career as a
lawyer and preacher, and was for
short period connected with literary
institution. lie served in the Union
army during the war of the rebellion,
but gained little or no distinction rs a
soldier. Before the close of the war
he was elected to the lower branch of
Congress from the strong Republican
district of the Western Reserve, COM
posed of the counties of Ashtabula,
Geauga, Lake, Mahoning and Trum-
bull, and has continued a member Of
the House ever since. At the last
session of the Ohio Legislature he was
chosen United States Senator to sue
ceed Mr.. Thurman whose term ex-
pires on the fourth of March next.
While Garfield has learning and
ability, he lacks force of character,
and there is much in his public record
that will not stand the light of day.
As soldier he was more useful rs
member of a military commission
formed TO convict than "a fighting
man in the field, and it was while
serving on board of that kind that
he aided in passing an unjust sentence
upon Fitz John Porter. In his civil
career, as a member of Congress, there
are also dark spots that will trouble
his friends to wash clean. For in
stance, in that disgraceful credit mo-
bilier business his name was found in
the celebrated memorandum book car
ried by Oakes Ames. 1t can also be
charged that he figured with one De
Golyer in swindle upon the city of
Washington through a pavement con-
tract. These things will require ex-
planation before Mr.. Garfield can be
regarded by the people of the United
States as one worthy of their conf
dence and support. He served as a
leading member of the infamous elec-
toral commission that aided so much
in cheating the people out of their
honestly elected President in 1876.
This will likewise be remembered and
must be avenged by every lover of
fair play and of honesty in public af-
fairs. Chester A. Arthur, the tail of
the ticket, is New York politician ut
one time connected with the custom
house in that city. He has never
done anything to show special fitness
for the Vice Presidency and why he
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