American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-02-05
Arransang for Hi, Reelection. ,

Arranging for His Reelection. II
Dom Piatt, during the recent Presi-
dental canvass, said that General Gar
field Ibid not know enough about af-
fairs to negotiate a promissory note"
to defend his friend Garfield, and put
in this plea in abatement, A little peep
into political affairs since the election
will indicate. that the President elect
knows how both to execute and negoti-
ate political promissOry notes.
No sooner was he elected once than,
with the cunning of a veteran politician.
with at least the wisdom of man who
knows how to negotiate a promissory
note, he began to arrange for his re-
election. In order to lay the founda-
lion for denomination, what Was nec-
essary to be doneP -
srIn the first place. there was Blaine,
of Maine. He had been twice almost
nominated for the Presidency. Still
young, robust. magnetic; still. ambi-
ticus,3 and with 8, splendid following, he
must be disposed OF. Garfield Oilers
him Cabinet position. which he, will
adorn. the one popularity understood in
this country and on ALI sides OF all
oceans to be the head of the Cabinet.
Garfield argues that Blaine-in his Cab
met could not, with dscent grace. be-
come competing. candidate against
him for the Presidential nomination
four years hence and Blaine unques-
tionably is still a man for the Republic
an candidates for the Presidency to
fear, Garfield reasons that he Would
make Of Blaine an ally instead Of a com
petitor. This Indicates that Garfield
had knowledge enough Of human at
fairs to negotiate promissory note.
I. Then there was John Sherman, How
to get rid of John Sherman was an ex-
ceedingly difficult probfem.--Bankers
railroad men, manufacturers, repre-
of the money power in both
parties and in all business avenues,
were pouring in thefr petitions upon
General Garfield to retain John Sher+
man in his Cabinet. This Garfield could
not do. He was undoubtedly under
promise not to do it. He had icove-J
Af1ted with the Republican enemies of
1okp Sherman not to retain him. EN-
ployers Of men, monopolists, who, by
announcing to their employees, 10 work.
ingmen generally, that the election of
General Hancock would compel the
factories to- become silent; mercantile
houses to reduce their business, bankers;
to limit their credits, had done too
much toward the election Of Garfield to
be- ignored Sherman must be- pro
vided for in some way. II. was not
abroad; he would not listen to this
temptation, He must. be provided for
a thome At home there were but two
things he would sccept-the Secretary
ship of the Treasury and the Senator
ship fnan -0hia.uss asia2A 1T,
give him the. ,former, without hreaking
hia pledges He therefore 1c6axed
Foster out of the Senatorial race to
give the SenatorSliipf to John Sherman 7
mis- Senatorsbip wills Last Two years
ger than Garheld's PresidencY, and
s. NOT impr pbabie that. "a ',1paft of TIE
bargain. was that John Sherman: made
a Senat for, SIX VESTS, void not be a
t;a9 sandas1 PresdsS
nent eompstitors have been disposed of
very much as though GarGeld knew how
to negotiate promissory note. .a-
nollL Garfield. for the Presidency,
Garfield certainly could not have. been
elected had he not. been rnominated.l
Foster could not be forgotten, Though
he might :be chsated. Essbep va, not
a e Candidate for the Presidsnoy, and " a.
less in 4ar6eld's way than John Sher-
man. Garfield could better afford to
be ungrateftfl to Foster than tObe lack
ing in cunning toward John Sherman.
Foster was promised, therefore, q mess
of pottage. He was Ipropised future.
Governorships, and SenatoEships, and
Various things which, Garfield had not
e4 1--we, and The istFihution OF F edeyal
p&t1onage in Ohio which. Garfield. had
3&ive. Sherman .prasumably agreed
tQfAe surrender of alb claims to the
cfftrolr Of the patronage which his,
Senatorial position would naturally !
give him; If Garfield and Foster would !
give him the Senatorship., Whether
j ohn Sherman will keep his promise, |
or whether Garfield via keep his prom-
Use, or whether Garfield and Sherman
nan .give sSoyernovahipa and-l
Af6 ale 1ttWeA iS Snpther5
question. Perhaps Foster was made to
believe that the Cabinet would Be best
suited to his talents, and that he was |
offered, 9abines pExee is not fmpfoba-f
BILE. Indeed, it is quite possible that |
the Postoffice Department viii -he,tenr.
dered to Foster, and thus one Garfield Y
man, with enofhotis patfoihgs. will ID [
in Garfield's Cabinet 49, ~
There was another. element az the |
marty to.she conSiIiafed.
Garfield was ans ious;for an,harmonious
Administration. An inharmonious one
would ;ninre his cbances for renom;na-
lion. That bofrtioi, Of fhe Rep1lbiican-
nartv renrese,1ted Nv Conkiinr. Cam
- -. ryos 319.-e;