Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-09-09
aa,,caster fntelllgencer.
THURSDAY EVENING. SEPT. Q, 1880.
He Can't Get Out OF II.


II is undeniable that Mr.. Garfield has
put himself into most unenviable light
by his attempted explanations of his
connection with the DeGolyer pavement
contract; and it is impossible for any
impartial judge to weigh the evidence
on that question without condemning
him. In his own attempts to extricate
himself he only sinks deeper into the
morass and struggles in hopeless embar-
rassment. There was something suspi-
cious about the original engagement of
Garfield's bosom friend, Parsons, by the
DeGolyer party to get through their con-
tract at $3.50 yard for pavement which
was worth only Sl.4O. He was paid a
retainer of $1,000, and was to get $4,000
more if the job went through. There
was something suspicious about his
subsequent demand for 100000
to pay the enlarged expenses of
getting it through. He could not we'll
dispense slices Of 5000 out of his SlO,-
600 fee, SO he made a new levy and got
it. Then he was heeled - to engage
partners in his work, and the first man
retained, by singular coincidence, was
Mr.. Garfield, who claimed afterwards
that he was retained rs a lawyer, but
that he was wanted in some other capac-
ity is manifest from the fact that on the
Slst of May, 1872, Chittenden wrote to
his principals as follows:
The influence of Gen. Garfield has been
secured by yesterdays, last nights and
tO-day's labors. He carries the purse Of the
United States-the chairman Of tile commit
tee on aPpropriations-and is the strongest
man in Congress, and with our friends my
demand is to-day not less than one hum
drcd thousand lyards) mOre-twO hundred
in all. Everything is in the best shape,
the connections complete, and, I have
reason to believe, satisfactory. = i
can hardly realize tina: we have Gen. Gar
field with us. 1t is rare and very crafty
ing. All the appropriations Of the District
come through him.
No reference is made to his ability rs
lawyer. " He carries the purse of the
United States - he alone could loose
the strings to let the money flow into the
lObby's Golfers. He was the strongest
man''-nOt ut the bar, but Sin Congress,
where he could do most good. He being
secured, they felt cmboldened to raise
the contract 10 two hundred Thousand
yards, involving Il profit of $42O,OOO.
Now what did Garfield do to relieve
himself Of the suspicion that he was re-
taincd as congressman, and that his. in
fluence us chairman of the committee of
appropriations was bought for this
$4,000. He said afterwards in a speech
at Warren, Ohio, that he made an argu-
ment. 4 reference to his testimony be-
fore an investigating committee of Con-
gress, in February l, 1877, shows that he
made no such thing. On his oath before
that committee he WAS compelled to ad-
nit that he never remembered of meet
ing the board of public works of the Dis
trict, and the best he could say for him
self was: g but did speak TO Governor
Shepherd on the subject, giving my opin-
ion in its favor" Gov. Shepherd, being
called, said: q He never spoke to me but
once on the subject" The owner of one
of the processes involved in the contract
swore that . Parsons was employed with
the assurance to HE by Chittenden that
he was able to reach the man who could
secure the contract
Garfield 6 held the purse strings of
the nation" 10 him Shepherd had to
go for the money. lie was the fountain
of favor. What did these men want with
him !? To g speak to Shepherd who was
under obligations to him, to influence
him in favor of their rotten contract, for |
which the money could only he got out
of the federal treasury by GarlieId's IA
vOrable report.
The case is plain. The Republicans
do not venture upon Il defense of it. 1t
should he driven home.