Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1880-07-21
result. if nnfayorable to

for the result, II unfavorable u
that party.
Having candidly defined my
position in regard to the canvass
it becoms proper for me to touch
with equal candor, upon the leading
issues that viii engage the atten'
ton Of the people during the nex'
few months.
In June, 1868, as is shown by the
record, and as is declared by the
report of the Republican investi-
eating committee, known as the
Poland Committee, / received from
Mr.. Cakes Ames a check for three
hundred and twenty-nine dollars,
being a dividend on stock held by
me in the Credit Mobilier OF
America. In the confusion of a
trying moment / swore that / never
owned such stock and never re-
ceived such dividend. When ii
was shown that the money in
question had been paid me, beyond
the possibility of a doubt, / re-
quested Mr.. Cakes Ames to con-
slider it a loan. | now respectfully
ask the voters Of the United States
to take that view of the transac-
ton, and let it go as loan.
On the 18th of July, ls72-by
an interesting coincidence just
eight years ago to-day received
from a firm of contractors of which
| was chairman, a check for
$4,000. When this transaction was
investigated, five years later, by a
committee of Congress, / swore
that the $4,000 was not a bride,
but a fee. The fact that l had
never rendered to this firm Of con-
tractors any services of a legal ma
ture is one which, in my opinion,
it is neither just nor generous to
bring up after all this lapse of time.
l therefore respectfully request
the voters Of the United States to
adopt my view of the five thousand
dollar transaction, and let it go as
a fee.
In February and March, 1873,
l was largely instrumental in eff
fecting the passage of an appro-
priation of about 100000 for
the back pay of Congressman. /
considered the amount which thus
came into my hands a welcome adj
dition to my slender income but
when l found that the measure
was odious to the country, and
likely to affect the political future
of the Congressman concerned in
it, made haste to cover the en-
tire sum into the treasury. / was
one of the first half dozen to re-
fund. l now respectfully ask the
voters Of the United States to take
my view of that restoration of the
peoples money, and let it go as a
virtuous act.
There are no doubt questions
affecting my personal character
which will come before the coun-
try; those which l have specified
seem to me to be among the most
important. My earnest desire is
that, whatever course political dis
cussion may take between now and
November, We may be spared a
campaign of calumny.
On the other hand, il culture and
classical entertainments are to have
any weight in the contest now open
ing-if, as has been recently sug.
gested in the speech Of distin-
guished Massachusetts, Senator, the
schoolmaster is to be given a hear
ing-I can promise that, like the
blind Tyrtaus at the terrible pas.
of Salamis, inspiring the Athenian
Old Guard by combing out his long
locks in the presence of the Egyp-
tian hosts, / shall be found at the
front Of the Republican column
carrying confidence to the hearts
of voters by the GOODNESS with
which, in the hottest of the fight
/ shall bring out from time to time
some Of the treasures Of a cultivat
ed mind.
JAMES A. GARFIELD.