Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-09-09

ton. Beyond any other member, his vote and
his influence were potent and controlling IN
the House, where he was an able and an ac-
knowledged leader of the majority. II was
more than mere figure of speech-it was al.
most the literal fact-when Chittenden said
that us Chairman of the Committee on Appro-
priatiOns he was the strongest man in Con-
gress, and that all the appropriations OF the
District came from him.
No wonder that in the delirium OF his joy nj
his great success in securing the influence
and to-days labors." the happy Chittenden
exclaims: my demand is. to-day, not less
than one hundred thousand more-two hun
dre1 in ALL
At first. and before Garfelds influence was
secured, Chittenden only expected and modest
ly asked it would seem, for a contract for only
one hundred thousand square yards. But after
Gariield's influence by such great abors had
been secured, then he not only petitioued but
he exultingiy demanded one hundred thousand
more-two hundred thousand in all. and,
aided by Garfield, his demand was acceded to
by the Board. He got his award for two hum
dred thousand square yards. nifty thousand
ture action of Congress. He could hardly ex-
press his JOY at his unexpected success. ~
can hardly realize we have General Garfield
with us; it is rare and very gratifying" Wei
might Chittenden say that. But, fellow-citi-
there are hundreds of thousands of American
people, native born and foreign born, who
can hardly realize it--who can hardly realize
how it was possible that General Garfield
should so far forget all the sacred trusts of
his position-as the sworn keeper OF the keys
of the public treasury rs the most RESPONSE
ton of the public money-to do the thing: TO
do what beyond all dispute he did do-viz.,
and ask Boss Shepard, the "held OF the Wash
ington ring" 10 award $1,000 gares,
Rs SS ana to nothing Gsevf he aid
not succeed in getting it, when by the
very terms of the contract itself fifty
awarded $50 soon the Board are reimbursed
by the General Government on account OF
expenditures around the public buildings and
grounds" or that the contractors should be
allowed to lay it that season IL they would
"wait until an appropriation Is made" aud
what shocks the public conscience is the fact
he was not to be paid for his time and labor;
he was to he paid 5000 il he got the job. and
nothing if he did not get it.
Let me say to you, in all seriousness, there
is one view of this case stronger. if possible,
then what is stated in this language Of the
brief, TO condemn the conduct OF General Gar
field in this matter: Ii showed to eyeryb ,dy
that Shepard was the head OF the Washington
ring. He was engaged in large schemes or
public improvement in Washington requiring
the expenditure OF many million OF dollars by
the people of the District and 10y Congress.
The United States, "a you are aware, own half
OF the real property of the District, IL not
more; and at least half of ali tho &C cypenii-
lures made and debts contracted b. shepard
appropriations of the District came from
Garfield's committee; Garfield more than any
other controlled them. He had more power
dent. 1t he favored them, they passed. IL hc
opposed them, they were defeated. The
Board of Public works was ell by Con-
gress. 1t was liable mt any time tn he ahol-
ished in Congress. Ii was entirely dependent
upon Congress for existence, even, and for
the means to carry forward all it, jobs and
schemes. 1t followed from all this that Boss
Shepard was in the power OF GARFIELD. For
the success of all his aspirations and ambitions
he depended absolutely upon Gariicld's favor.
| therefore maintain that the language OF our
brief was no; too strong in saying that q ,r-
field, in receiving 5000 on the sole condition
that he would obtain, and did obtain. from
Shepard pavement job. was Il sale vi his Of
fetal power for money, which no veil can COW
er; just aS much u sale of official power IA IL
President Grant had received 5000 Tor get
ting Boss Shepard TO award the contract. lf
Garfield, Chairman of the Committee on
Appropriations, was innocent, then Garfield.
if he should be elected President, buld do the
same thing. and with equal proprety. under
the shallow pretext of lawyers conting mt
fee, and that suppose would open anew ch1p-
ter on civil-service reform in the history OF
this Boosting and self-righ eous Republican
party.