Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1880-06-19
Sketch Of the Republican Nominees
james Abram Garfield, the nominee

James Abram Garfield, the nominee oi
the republican party in It's convention at Chi
cago for President of the United States, was
horn Nov 10. 1881, at Orange, Cuyahoga Co,
Ohio, his parents being OF old ne" f.os'anu
stock. His father, an early settler OF grange
died in 1888, leaving widow and Tour ohi'-
tren in comparative indisence. James 'he
youngest, worked az carpenteFlns ana 'sna'-
boating until his seventeenth year, when ne
entered the Geauga Seminary at Chester ana
later the Eclectic Institute at Hiram, OF wh'cn
school. after graduating gt William A"lleSe'
Mass. with hlsh hunors, he became principal
previously serving sh. RI time a. tutor al
Hiram. !. was during his charge Oi this aca-
DENY that NJ GlrG III frequently prelchei
in tho nulpit If his denomination, tae DlScl-
nles or Christian Rroiheshomi. In leO! Nc
Garfield was admitted iniho bar lie ha'i
previously gone into politics, h9|eFer' ah'
was elected 10 the Qhip State Senate As i.e-
nnhlican. When the civil war broke out be
took the field in the autumn of 1861 as colon
ell Of the 42nd Chio volunteers, Ne,'. '"''
Kentucky at the head Ola brigade. anu iousht
bravely in Elstern ana Western hentueNy,-
,In Buell. comneud Dc iongh, at Shiloh C"r-
iuth. Decatur aud Huntsville. served rs
member of the court marshal which caShlerei
Fitz John Porter. and in 1868 was edieI o'
staff 20 Gen. R.,sekraui2, receiving h'S nair.
generals breyct for silautry on th" ie'd "'
CbickamaueA. H. the fill II that year he
WAS elected tn Congress, rcsignlns hls COM
mission in the army in December, 1868 Ills
career in C,ngrcss. where he his served ever
sinre las Lesn u distinguished one. Ia the
Fortie,h Congress Gen. Garfield was chairman
of the committee on military Affairs 10 'he
Forty-frst Congress he was given The chalr-
manShip of the banking and currency COM
mittee. which was more congenial to his tastes.
He was next promvtea 10 the cheirmsnship OF
the appropriations committee, where lie re-
NAMED until the democrats came into power
in 1875. When James e. Blaine went 70 me
Senate Gen. Garfield became the leader oi The
republican side of the House, aud became DIS
tineuished as an effective debater besides which
he exhibited great caution. ln point Of Sc
piority of service ia the House. Mr.. Garfield
ranks eccouJ. Mr. Kelley, Of FennsylsanIa,
being the onle member who has had longer
continuous service in that body. Among other
things he has secured .he constituting OF TIE
bureau of education. Last winter no was
elected United Statea Senator in place OF
Allen G.. Thurman, whose term expires March
4 1891. Mr.. Garfield has always been
hlgh tariff and hard money man, defending
his poslion on both questions with learning
and astutcness. lie is very well read, and a
hard student always. In manners he Is kind
" and courteous, fluent, graceful speaker,
and a careful but always successful pouu-
cian. lie married 10 1863 i.nereila Randolph
of Hiram. and bis private lie has been deco
rous and happy. In 1876 he wac one oil 'he
"visitng datcsmcnPiwho wen. 10 Louisiana IN
the interest OF Mr Hayes. whom lie helped TO
count in ~ n mcmher Of the electoral COM
mission in 1877. Mr. Garfield was accused
of receiving while member Of Congress q
fee Of SIS. 900 as attorney" for De Golyet x
McClelland. the Chicago pavement contractors,
who 10 October, 1872, were awarded contracts
for paten. pavements uoder Shepherds rule IN
Washington. those contracts aggrcgating the
sum Of SIo6 2e2. He was also one of the
members mpeached 10 Mr. Oakcs Ames little
memorandum beck as recipient of ten shares
Of Credi. Nobi;er stock. u was not shown
TO the satisfaction Of Judge Polands commit
tee. which investigated this matter, that Mr.
Garfield took this profitable stock with cor
rupt intentions nor that his votes were iniiu-
encel by the tender. At times in lis conercs-
sional oaree. Mr. Garfield has shcwn spirit
ofliberaliy and Independence not often e7ineed
by partisaas. In March last, during the
consideration Of the special deficiency bill. the
clause relating 10 depaty marshals being mp,
Mr.. Garfield offered substitute providing,
among other things, that deputy marshals
should be appointed 10 equal numbers from
the different political parties, aud The suosu-
lu,e was adopted, such leading republicans as
Garfield, Kelley and Iliscock voting with the
democrats in the affirmative.
FOR THE VICE PRESIDENCY.
Gen. Chester A. Arthur. the nominee for
the Vice. Presidency, is New Yorker, only
about forty-one years old Though having
the title of general, it is understood TO be only
in connection with the militia of his state -
FIo is lawyer by profession, and iis irst
prominence before the country vas when be
was appointed collector Of the customs FOR The
port Of New York, succeeding Nr. Murphy,
who was removed IN consequence OF the ex-
posure made Of the moicty system, tie bonded
warehouse abuses. and other arraignmcnts, by
the committee Of investigation. In turn hr.
Arthur was removed from the New York col
lectorshjp by President Hayes. soon after bis
occessiuu b the presilencV