Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-10-20
A SHORT ACCOUNT

Ola Recent Visit to Mentor. the Resi-
dence of the Distinguished Free Trade
Leader of the Radical Psrty-Fruitless
Effort to Get His Views on the Tariff
issue.
CLEVELAND, o., October l9-At a re-
cent meeting OF the Directors I the
National Associated Press il was decided
to dispatch Il special agent of the Asso-
citation to General Gaitield's residence,
near Mentor, for the purpose oi making
every possible effort to procure q briei
and concise statement on the tariff
issues from the Republican candidate.
Mr.. L. L. Paine. jun, city editor OF the
Press OF this city, was chosen TO act in
this capacity, and today visited the
Garfield homestead with
Prepared List of Questions,
among which were the following:
"Why, in 1864, did you vote to reduce
the duty on railroad iron from eighty to
sixty cents per hundred"
"Will YOU explain the following ex-
tract from speech delivered by you in
lS66, and published in the Congressional
Rycori of the same year? Il am willing.
as a compromise, TO favor the reduction
on railroad iron. | think We shoul1
also reduce the proposed duty on salt,
and have no doubt in several particulars
We should reduce the rate OF duty.
ain 1866 you said, in answer to
speech delivered 10y Thaddeus Stevens:
"Agaiust the Abstract Doctrine of Free
Trade,
as such, very little can be said. Asa
theory n has much to Con'uuS"d 1t. IL
can never be applied to values exceptin
time OF peace.
During a debate in Congress in 1870,
vuu are credited with saying: Nor
will it be- denied that large majority Of
the great thinkers Of the day are lead
ing in the direction OF what is called
free trade, and much can be said IN It's
Iavor.
In 1872 YOU voted yes, on a bill in
which it was proposed, on and after
August lst, to
Make a Rebate Of Ten Per Cont.
of all duties on wool, iron and steel, and
everything of like composition except
cotton machinery.
"What have YOU to say to pamphlet
circulated In Maine, in which II IS stated
that in 1872 Congressman Lynch intro
duced bill, which you supported, in
structing the Secretary OF the Treasury
to paw a rebate, equal to the duties col
lected, on nuts. bolts and other articles
which enter into the composition OF
ships and other buildings?
Are YOU member OF the Golden
Free-Trade Club OF England
When Mr.. Paine entered the residence
of Mr.. Garfield he Was shown into Tn,
parlor, where g dozen or more peoplt
were found in waiting. Among these
were Mayor Mckinley. On inquiry 1t
was learned that Garfield was closeted
with gentleman in an adjoining room
and subsequently it was found 10 be
Captain Henry,
A S,ecial Agent of the Postoffice Depart
ment.
who is stationed at Cleveland, and who.
since the nomination, has acted as a
body guard to the candidate. He IL
iound with him on all occasions, and
seems to thoroughly understand the
dnties he is expected to perform. III
Mr.. Garfield can not elude a reporter
any other way, Henry is found ready to
step i'm and break the charm, and carry
off his master on some seemingly very
important errand. These two gentle
men were in consultation when dinner
WAS announced, and on invitation OIL
Mrs. Garfield all, with the exception oil
Mr.. PAM, adjourned to the dining
room.
A few seconds later Mr. Garfield en-
tered the room where Mr.. Paine was
seated,
Appearinx Very Much Agitsted.
lie talked in a low AMI exclted tone, ana
walked nervously about the floor, fol-
lowed closely by Henry. Mr.. Paine
steamed forward anu asked for few mo-
ments' private conversation, which the
General seemed extremely reluctant TO
grant However, he walked to the op-
posite side OF the apartment, and, turn
ing 10 his visitor, said, almost gruiiiy,
"Well, what do you want" =,
Mr. Paine then stated the object OF
his visit in as few words as possible. and
a. Ina. aiterward said was alarmed To see
A severe and angry expression creep
into the face of Garfield, who said, In
hurried undertone:
~ Shall Say Nothing.
never saw any thing to any oody on
nolitical questions. What have to say
saw in public"
"Do YOU refuse to give the voters OF
the country your exact position on these
issues" Was the next question, whereat
the disturbed candidate said, sharply:
IL refuse to say anything at all.
"The Democracy claim you have been
| Inconsistent" began Mr.. Payne, but be-
r., A., ,.o,,l,l nroseeA any further Gar
t;sld turned about, and with the words,
Excuse me, good day." rushed away in
hot and ill-msnnered haste. The news
| paper man waited for an hour or more
in the hope Of finding the General in
better humor, but il availed him nothing.
The Republican leader carefully avoided
him, and up to the hour Of the reporters
leaving, continued in earnest and evl-
IDENTIFY unpleasant conversation with his
man Henry.