American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-09-04
CANTON, SATURDAY, 4,

ly asked, it would seem, for n contrac for only
one hundred thousand square yards. But after
been secured, then he not only pcttioned but
he exultingly demanded one hundred thou sand
aided by Garfield. his demand was acceded to
by the Board. He got his award for two hum
dred Thousand square yards, fifty thousand
of which WAS made to dcpeni upon the fu-
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" Well
might Chittenden say that. But, fellow-citi-
zens, say it more in sorrow than in anger,
there are hundreds of thousands of American
people, native born and foreign born, who
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, as the most response
BILE of all men in Congress tor the appropria-
ton Of the public money-to do the thing; to
do what beyond all dispute he did do-viz..
agree to go before the Board of Public Works
and ask Boss Shepard, the head of the Wash
ment job, agreeing to receive 5000 if
he succeeded, and nothing If he did
Rer Of IT, whfn
thousand yards, at $l75,O0O was to be
awarded s. so soon as the Board are reimbursed
expenditures around the public buildings and
grounds, or tsat the contractors should be
allowed to lay it that season if they would
"wait until an appropriation is made" and
what shocks the public conscience is the fact
he was not to be paid for his time and labor;
he was to be paid So coo if he got the job, and
nothing if he did not get it.
Let me say to you, il all seriousness, there
is one view of this case stronger, If pos sible,
then what is stated in this language of the
6rief, to condemn the conduct of General Gar
field in this matter: 1t showed to everybody
that Shepard was the head of the Washington
ring. He was engaged in large schemes of
public improvement in Washington requiring
the expenditure of mlny million of dollars by
the people of the District and by Congress.
The United states, as you are aware. own half
OF the real property of the District, il not
more; and at least half of all those expend-
rested upon the public treasury. All the
appropriations of the District came from
Garfelds committee; Garfield more than any
other controlled them. He had more power
dent. II he favored them, they passed. If he
opposed them, they were defeated. The
Board of Public works was created by Con-
gress. 1t was liable at any time to be abol-
ished in Congress. 1t was entirely dependent
upon Congress for existence, even, and for
the means to carry forward all it's 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 Garfield's favor.
brief was not too strong in saying that Gar
field, in receiving 5000 on the sole condition
that he would obtain, and did obtain, from
Shepard pavement job, was sale of his Of
err; just as much a sale of official power as if
President Grant had received 5000 for get
ting Boss Shepard to award the contract. If
Garfield as Chairman of the Committee on
If he should be elected President, could do the
same thing, and with equal propriety, under
the shallow pretext of Il lawyers contingent
fee, ana that l suppose would open new chap
ter on civilService reform in the history of
this Boosting and self-righ;eous Republican
party,