Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-08-06
Will Garfield withdraw!
A Question which IL Beginning to b,
Asked by Eastern Republicans.

A Question which IL Beginning to be
Asked by Eastern Republicans.
The exposure of General James A..
Garfield's record, particularly in con-
nection with the Credit Mobilier and
DeGolyer pavement scandal, has
become so damaging that many
thoughtful Republicans are already
inquiring whether their party can
carry the load through the campaign.
At present it looks very much as if
the ticket would break down within
four weeks of its nomination, leaving
the party adrift and threatening it
with total destruction. This Jour-
nal, while looking upon the nomina-
ton of General Garfield as an i'll
considered and mistaken act, has
obeyed an instinct to be fair toward
an American statesman and soldier
of superior abilities and many excel
lent qualities, and has said much in
his favor since the nomination was
make. Admitting the worst that can
be said of him, it is shown, not that
he is persistently and constitutionally
bad, but that on two occasions in his
long and distinguished public career
he became involved in questionable
transactions, which compromised his
honor as public official. We are
afraid that this is the best that can
be said of him. Thousands of hon.
orable and sagacious Republicans can
admit even 80 much and still be
willing to trust him with the highest
Office of the Republic; for it is not
by an occasional slip that we are to
Judge of the worthiness of a public
man, or of any individual, but by
the general bent of his disposition
and character. Judged by that test,
Mr.. Garfield might still be safely
trusted with the responsibilities and
duties of the Presidential office.
But the masses of our coIntrymen
are not 50 considerate of the domin-
ant qualities in candidate for the
highest Ufiice in the nation. They
regard one serious blunder as key
to the man. entire nature and career.
He is mercilessly judged by that, and
that alone.
Such will be the case with James
A. Garfield. The Republican vote
alone will not elect it's candidate
this Fall. The large and increasing
independent or floating vote must be
ha6 in his favor or he will lie beaten
at the polls. That cannot be Sc
cured without enthusiasm for the
head of the ticket, and it must be
apparent that the Republicans are
already fighting sullenly and with
great embarrassment a retreating
battle. The Democratic organs at
first made the mistake of hurting
epithets and obnoxious phrases at
the candidates but they have discov-
cred their mistake and also seen that
in the plain facts there is weight
enough to sink the Republican ticket
beyond redemption in q very few
weeks unless satisfactory explana-
tion comes soon, and the sooner the
better. 1t is not pleasant to tell
these truths to many of our readers,
who have not yet fully comprehend
ed the load they have essayed to
carry in shoulderiug the Chicago
ticket; hut we are rejecting the Sc
cret thoughts of many of the most
experienced and discerning Republi-
can LEADERS, of the country. The
Democrats, unfortunately for the
Republicans, have official documents
and even the records of the courts in
their favor. Mr.. Garfield in the De-
Golyer case especially, was very
deeply implicated, and the decision
of the court in the suit of Chittenden
against DeGolyer and Mcclellan
distinctly declares that the said
plaintiff, and said Board Of Public
Works then we'll knew that it was
not the arguments OF said Garfield
as q lawyer, but his influence as q
member of Congress, having power
over the appropriations to be made,
that the plaintiff had sought and
obtained and paid for; and there
fore the contract was illegal, against
policy and void" What is to be
done with such proof? How is to be
explained away? The proof OF in.
nocence to be effective in political
campaign with the floating vote must
be overwhelming. 1t is enthusiasm
that the Republican ticket needs.
and it is enthusiasm that it lacks now
and must lack with such heavy judic
ial censurs of its head resting like 6
nightmare upon the canvass.
Under these circumstances, wha'
will be the probable course OF the
party? To US it is conceivable tha
either Mr.. Garfield himself will dis
cover that i. would be folly for hin
to hold on TO the nomination so in
considerably thrust upon him, OF
the leaders of the party will find i
necessary to request him to Withdraw
in favor of some man who can rail-,
the masses in favor of the Republl
can cause. We have no reason to be